On Sunday night, the Detroit Lions beat the Houston Texans 26-23. Their victory was sealed by mere inches when their first season kicker, Jake Bates, narrowly made a 52-yard field goal just inside the upright as time expired. Not long before the score to win it, Bates kicked a game-tying 58-yard field goal that slightly avoided the right upright. This clutch kicker is 14-14 on the year kicking field goals, with three being 50-plus yarders. 

Before being signed by the Lions, Bates was a brick salesman in Houston. Originally from Texas, he grew up playing soccer and would go on to play college soccer at Central Arkansas. Bates became a walk-on kickoff specialist at Texas State but never attempted a field goal while in college. Last December, Bates signed for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League. In the UFL, Bates turned heads and dropped jaws by kicking multiple 60-plus yard field goals with ease. When Bates signed with the Lions, he was playing behind veteran kicker Michael Badgley. However, Badgely suffered a season ending injury, and the starting position became his.

And while all of this is impressive, what stands out most is Bates’s post-game interview on Sunday Night Football. NBC’s Melissa Stark asked Bates about his two game-changing field goals and his journey from brick salesman to star kicker. He responded, “I think it just shows how good the Lord is. He is so faithful, and my story — if anything — I just hope people can see Jesus through my story. I mean that’s what I think I’m here to do — not make or miss or be a good kicker or bad kicker, but spread the love of Jesus. So hopefully I’m able to do that on the stage I’m given.”

After kicking the game-winner, Bates was hoisted up by his teammates. His head coach, Dan Campbell, gave him a game ball. Bates is the last remaining starting kicker this NFL season to not miss a field goal. 

Bates also kicked a game-winner in week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings. He told reporters then in a post-game press conference that he thought his NFL dream was dead. “Eighteen months ago, I thought I was done with football. I was working as a brick salesman in Houston. I thought the dream was dead. It also makes me look back and think of how good the Lord has been in my life and the doors He has opened and closed for me to lead me here and to lead me in such a great situation with this coaching staff and this front office and these teammates. … I couldn’t have even dreamt of this.”

While the game was fun to watch, God used the game-winning kicker to remind us all what is most important in life. In Mark 16:15, Jesus told His disciples to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” No matter your title or occupation, rich or poor, famous or unknown, brick salesman or star kicker, share the gospel of Jesus Christ before time expires.