Football

Eagles RB Boston Scott knows God is with him on journey from practice squad to lead back

By Joshua Pease Jan 2, 2020
Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Just a few short months ago, running back Boston Scott sat on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad — behind Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders, Corey Clement and Darren Sproles on the Eagles’ depth chart. But after a rash of injuries, and a stunning performance last weekend against the Giants, Scott very well could be the starting running back on Sunday in the Eagles’ playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks.

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In the season finale Sunday, Scott came in after Sanders went down in the second quarter with an ankle injury. He proceeded to rack up 54 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, along with four receptions for 84 yards.

“You’re always a play away from being called up and being put in that situation,” Scott told reporters after the game. “Duce (Staley, the running backs coach) has done a great job preparing me, continuing to ask me questions even when I was on the practice squad. Motivating me and keeping me locked in and focused because you never know when your opportunity might come.”

Scott’s monster game clinched the NFC East for the Eagles, and earned Scott the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award, becoming the first Eagle to win the honor since Nick Foles in Week 16 of 2018.

Before this rush of success, back in September 2019, Scott told the Faith on the Field podcast that he knows fame is fickle, and that he has to find his identity and approval from God.

“How you perform on the field kind of dictates how people see you and how people view you,” Scott said. “But I know that at the end of the day, no matter if I am the best football player or if things don’t even work out with football, I know that regardless, God loves me for who I am. That is not going to change regardless of what happens to me.”

A 5-foot-6 24-year-old out of Louisiana Tech who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, Scott lists Joshua 1:9 in his Twitter bio. The verse reads, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Scott said he looks to that verse for encouragement because he’s long faced challenges due to his size.

“So whether that is stepping on the field, whether that’s in life, I know that no matter what I go through, He is always going to be with me no matter what,” Scott said. “That’s why I carry myself with confidence. That’s why I am strong. That’s why I am courageous, because that is what He has commanded us to be.”

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