We knew we had to win week 12’s game against the Packers in order to have a chance at the playoffs this season, but when that game ended in a loss for us, it looked like our season would most likely end on January 1st.

After Week 14’s game, reporters came up to me and asked what I now had to play for. That, to me, is an insult. Winning isn’t the only reason that I play this game. I play because I love it; I play because I was created to play this game. I respect this game, I respect the guys I’m playing with and the ones I’m playing against. I only have a certain number of years to play this game and I want to take advantage of every moment that I have in the NFL. I told them that the last thing they will have to worry about with me is being unmotivated to play hard—I will always bring my best to the field.

Though I love this game, football isn’t everything to me. God gave me the talent, ability, and passion to play this game; the least I can do is play my best for Him. I truly believe that God has created each of us with unique design and since mine is to play football, I want to honor Him by doing that in the best way that I can.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” —Colossians 3:23

I remember that when my first off-season came around I was completely surprised at how much time we had off! I had no clue that we had all the way until April off and then the month of July as well. For the first time in a while I wasn’t told what to do, when to work out, and how to spend my time. Should I get another job so I don’t get bored? How often do I work out? When do I start training again? How much time do I spend with my family? Like anyone would, I figured out a routine and the next time it came I was more prepared for it. I just had to figure out how to give my best effort and honor God with my time, heart, and body.

In the off-season I’m able to spend a lot more time with my family, especially my kids, and I’m really excited about that—that’s what I take the most joy in. I do miss the game, and specifically the community of guys that I’m surrounded by during the season. It can be a hard adjustment to go from spending so much of my time with the same group of guys—on the field, in the locker room, on the road, in Bible study, in chapel, etc.—to not seeing them at all for months. That’s why it’s important not to rely on each other for motivation to keep seeking Christ; we need to seek Him for ourselves.

But we do try to stay in touch and keep our Christian community going during the off-season. Last year, aside from shooting regular texts to each other, a bunch of us from our Bible study dedicated an hour each week to meeting over Skype to talk with each other about our lives, what we are learning in Scripture, and how we can pray for each other. Though we live in various time zones ranging from the East Coast to Hawaii, we make it work because it’s a priority for us to have that accountability and encouragement.

The more and more that I spend time in the Word and surround myself with other men who are believers, the more I am able to understand God’s truth and plan for my life. By staying in the Scriptures I am daily fine-tuned.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” —Romans 15:4

People tend to think that Christians have to be softer people, but I disagree, I think that we are to be the toughest—ready for anything that comes. We are to prepare ourselves and stand firm, putting our best foot forward for Christ in all things. Just look at the disciples—each one of them faced adversity, persecution, and heartache but they faced the storm head on with Jesus by their side. Then there’s King David, he was a beast! He fought many battles and slayed hundreds of armies for the glory of the Lord. We could also look at the lives of Solomon, Abraham, Moses, and many other fearless warriors who brought honor to God through fierce and courageous efforts.

As long as we play within the rules, we are to play hard. On the field, that means I play as hard as I can, knowing that there’s nothing I’ve done to achieve this gift. I can fine-tune the talent God has given me and try to improve as much as I can, but God is the one that blessed me with the ability to play this game and I want to use it to bring Him glory.

—Trey Burton

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