ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It used to be that before a Michigan football game, maybe two or three players would gather in the end zone to kneel and pray. On Saturday, the Wolverines had something of a crowd, all taking a moment to speak to their creator before taking the field in earnest.
Among them was Donovan Edwards, the Michigan running back who hasn’t shied away from professing his Christian faith. Edwards spoke on his belief in Jesus during fall camp, and he continues to be outspoken. On Tuesday, Edwards said that he hopes that through openly professing his faith he can be an example for those who aren’t believers.
And even though his game wasn’t quite what he was hoping for in his season debut, his faith never wavered.
“I hope it could impact people that aren’t religious because the only way is Jesus — Yeshua in Hebrew,” Edwards said. “But me personally, I want to be an example of that. I want to be an example of keeping faith in God. I want to of course, I wanted to have a big game on Saturday, but it wasn’t my time. And my thing is like, it’s either I can, like, fold from that and be like, ‘Damn, why couldn’t I have this big game how I wanted to?’ when I kind of did in a certain way.
“But, after the game, I still prayed, I still gave thanks to God for it, because why? I’m healthy, I’m able to breathe, I’m able to play in the next game.”
Edwards has often discussed wanting to be not just a role model for others, but how he’s wanted to make a positive impact on the world around him. Last month, he shared some ambitious goals for his post-football career where he would build housing for low-income families — aspirations influenced by his Christianity.
Moreover, Edwards hopes to continue to evangelize because he recognizes that there are bigger things than football and things that are bigger than him.
“That’s why I want to be a positive outlet for that because it’s not too many people in college football that’s talking about how good God is or talking about how Jesus is the way,” Edwards said. “Because I’m on that platform. Some people might not understand it, or recognize that, but I feel like I’m here for a bigger reason than just being an athlete on the football field. At Michigan, and the NFL, that’s what I want to be. I want to be a positive outlet for people to get more in touch with God, be in that vicinity. Because I believe that everybody knows what’s right from wrong, and God is right and the devil is wrong.”
In a hypersensitized culture where people are increasingly more outspoken or shy away from speaking about their beliefs, Edwards chooses to be the former. As his star power increases, he’s equally aware that it gives him a larger platform and that he can do good through that platform.
He’s not concerned about alienating anyone, especially in his locker room. His on-field production has been stellar over the past year, but like he said, win or lose, with a big game or meager one, against a rival or a Group of Five opponent, his faith as a focus will not change.
“Everybody knows me around here. It’s always about God for me, you know?” Edwards said. “That’s all I can do is just bring glory to His name. And that’s why I know why are you asking me that question, why I’m giving you my answer, because why — that’s God having you ask me through that and I’m giving you the answer, because not many people, college athletes or pro athletes, that talk about how good God is or give Him glory after a big game against Ohio State, against a rivalry. And that’s what I’m all about — I’m always gonna give glory to God.”