Russell Wilson, the 26 year old quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, gave God all the glory following his team's amazing victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
The Seahawks, who are the defending Super Bowl champions, solidified their position in next year's Bowl after rallying from a 16-0 halftime deficit to knock the Green Bay Packers out, securing a 28-22 overtime win in what commentators hailed as the "biggest comeback in championship game history."
Wilson, who struggled until the final minutes, led the Seahawks to victory after hitting teammate Jermaine Kearse for a 35-yard touchdown 3:19 into the extra period on the only possession.
Following his team's incredible win, an emotional Wilson and his teammates bowed in a prayer circle on the field--a move reminiscent of last year's Super Bowl, in which Wilson led the Seahawks to defeat the Broncos 43-8.
Then, when sideline reporter Erin Andrews asked him what the key was to his comeback, the athlete didn't hesitate to credit his faith.
"Just making the plays at the end. Keep believing. There was no doubt, I just had no doubt. We had no doubt as a team," he said.
"The funny thing is I was on the sideline right before we went off that last drive and I told (offensive coordinator Darrell) Bevell, 'be ready for the check', for the play that we just ran through the touchdown. I said 'I'm gonna pull a touchdown and win the game'. And sure enough man. I just believe that God prepared me for these situations. God's prepared our team too as well. Like I said, I'm honored to be on this team. I'm going to the Super Bowl again."
Wilson has never been shy about sharing his faith, both on and off the football field. Shortly before the game, he tweeted: "All my hope is in You Jesus! You are my anchor that is never shaken!"
Just a few hours after the win, he tweeted once again, saying: "Headed back to the Super Bowl!!!! QBs in the House! Glory to God!One Mission. #MakeThemNotice."
He later added yet another tweet with the image of praying hands, writing "Yesterday wasn't just about the game....It was So Much Bigger than just a game.
Last year, Wilson shared how his faith encourages him to stay humble despite his success during an interview with former Mars Hill pastor, Mark Driscoll.
"I try to live humbly ... without Him, I wouldn't be where I am today," Wilson said. "God has put me on that field for a reason, in front of 80,000 people."
"I'm a constant work in progress - we all are," he added. "That's the amazing thing about Jesus - He takes you for who you are."
Super Bowl XLIX will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Feb. 1
