Raiders quarterback Derek Carr gives inspiring sermon in Sacramento

With the start of the NFL preseason less than three weeks away, Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr took some time out of his preparation for the upcoming season to deliver a sermon at Jesus Culture church in Sacramento, Calif. Carr discussed the story of Moses and God’s supernatural power in the sermon.

>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<

“You want to be used by God, I’m going to tell you how to do it,” he said at one point. “You ready? Be completely consumed by the Holy Spirit.”

The 28-year-old Carr also stressed the importance of being all-in on following God and allowing Him to transform your life.

“We need some people that are sold out and on fire,” Carr said. “Because when you are completely consumed with the supernatural, anyone in your way or anyone around you will say, ‘That is amazing. I must go see what that is.'”

It appears to have been a powerful sermon from the Raiders’ second-round pick from the 2014 NFL Draft, who so impressed his coaches that preseason that Carr became the first rookie quarterback in Raiders history to start the season opener. He’s only missed two regular-season games since.

In 2015, Carr threw a career-high 32 touchdown passes and made the Pro Bowl for the first time. He was selected to the Pro Bowl again the following season and guided Oakland to a 12-3 start before breaking his leg in Week 16. He rebounded from the injury and made his third straight Pro Bowl in 2017. Last year, Carr set a career high with 4,049 passing yards under new head coach Jon Gruden.

Carr will aim to lead the Raiders, who were 4-12 last year, out of the AFC West cellar in 2019. And he figures to still have a long NFL career ahead of him. But when his playing days are over, it looks like Carr might just have a second career as a pastor.

RELATED STORIES:
QB Nick Foles wants to be a pastor whenever he’s done with football
How NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady influenced Judah Smith to become a pastor
NEW PODCAST: Judah Smith – Pastor, Author, Seattle Seahawks Chaplain