New York Giants offensive lineman Nate Solder will not play the 2020 NFL season, he announced Wednesday, citing health concerns surrounding his family. Most notably, his 5-year-old son Hudson is battling a rare kidney cancer. Solder also noted that he has battled cancer (testicular) himself, and he and his wife, Lexi, had another baby boy this spring.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
“With fear and trembling, we struggle to keep our priorities in order and, for us, our children’s health and the health of our neighbors comes before football,” Solder said.
— Nate Solder (@soldernate) July 29, 2020
Solder acknowledged that it is a privilege to make a decision like this, and that he will deeply miss his teammates, coaches and others in the organization. But he sought the Lord’s guidance to come to his decision.
“My family and I have been praying, wrestling and listening to God about our current circumstances and whether it is best that I play football this season,” Solder said. “Our primary goal is to pursue God and listen to the Holy Spirit in everything we do. As hard as that can be and as daunting as what He asks us to do can seem, we have come to believe, trust and wait on the Lord. That is why we have chosen to pause for this season.”
This year would have marked Solder’s 10th in the NFL. He was drafted 17th overall in 2011 out of Colorado by the New England Patriots, for whom he played seven seasons, winning two Super Bowls. He then signed a four-year contract with the Giants in 2018. He has started 127 of the 130 games in his NFL career; all three non-starts came in his rookie season.
“As scary and bleak as it sometimes can be, we know that the God of the universe has all things under His control, and His plans are and will always be for our good,” Solder concluded.
RELATED STORIES:
— Nate Solder joins ‘Team Up’ live show, donates $1 million to Compassion Int’l
— Football Sunday 2020: Watson, Solder, Amukamara share their testimonies
— Nate Solder partners with Compassion to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name
— Nate Solder, New York Giants visited Puerto Rico to aid hurricane relief efforts
— Nate Solder leaning on Christ despite son’s rare cancer diagnosis
— NEW PODCAST: Nate & Lexi Solder – New York Giants Offensive Lineman & Wife
