Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither has professed his faith in Christ through baptism, according to posts he shared on Sunday on both his Instagram and Twitter pages.
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“After 23 years I am so proud to have given my life to Christ and Received the gift of new life!” Davis-Gaither said on Instagram. “God has done wonderful things in my life, picked me up from my lows and humbled me at my highs. Every step of my life, God has blessed me in so many ways. I’m blessed that i’m able to share his love and let my life be a testimony of his unwavering love for us all.”
Davis-Gaither also quoted Galatians 2:20 (KJV) in both posts: “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”
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He was baptized by Derwin Gray, the lead pastor and founder of Transformation Church in South Carolina. Gray is also a former NFL player who played for the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers. (He has appeared twice on the Sport Spectrum Podcast, once in 2017 and again in 2020.)
“It was an honor to baptize you brother!” Gray said in a comment on Davis-Gaither’s post. “I look forward to continuing this journey with you.”
The Bengals drafted Davis-Gaither in 2020 with a fourth-round pick (107th overall) following a strong career at Appalachian State. After playing only one game his sophomore season in 2017, Davis-Gaither played 12 games in 2018 and another 14 in 2019. During his college career, he recorded 201 total tackles, 15 passes defended and an interception. His senior year accolades included him being rewarded the 2019 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year.
In his first NFL season, Davis-Gaither demonstrated promise. Despite only playing 30 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, he recorded 31 tackles, a half-sack and an interception. He was in on another 64 percent of the special teams snaps.
First career INT for @AkeemDavis16 with a little help from Margus Hunt. 😤
WATCH on CBS pic.twitter.com/0WRHo8A0ON
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 3, 2021
Davis-Gaither now looks to Bengals training camp, which begins July 27, as he’ll vie for a starting position on the team. The Bengals begin preseason play with a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 14.
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