NFL Rookie Jayden Daniels Gives ‘Glory to God’ after Historic Performance
- Michael Foust Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
- Updated Sep 24, 2024
The rookie quarterback who set an NFL record in an upset win on Monday night also took time to thank God, telling a national television audience he "can't do nothing without Him." Washington's Jayden Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for two touchdowns while rushing for another in a 38-33 upset victory over Cincinnati, raising the Commanders' record to 2-1 while also raising eyebrows across the league. His completion percentage of 91.3 percent is a new record for rookie quarterbacks.
The Commanders were expected to be a rebuilding team this year. But through three weeks, they're tied for the lead in their division.
"We're just executing -- executing at a high level. I give credit to my o-line, give credit to my receivers, my running backs, and most importantly, give credit to God," he said during a post-game interview on ESPN.
Told of his rookie record, Daniels added, "That's crazy. Give glory to God. I wouldn't be in this business without Him. So I can't do nothing without Him."
Jayden Daniels just played the game of his life. Set an NFL record for the highest completion percentage in a game EVER for a rookie. Had more total touchdowns than incompletions. And what does he do when asked about it? He gives All THE GLORY TO GOD. He gets it. He TRUSTS GOD. pic.twitter.com/UQuz1qDxjs
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 24, 2024
Daniels was the second pick in the 2024 draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at LSU, where he impressed NFL scouts with his accuracy and speed.
He has made his Christian faith a major element of his public platform.
Following a Week 2 win over the New York Giants, Daniels posted a Bible verse on his Instagram account. "'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight' Proverbs 3:5-6,'" he wrote.
Prior to the NFL draft, he said in a column for The Players Tribune, "I feel like everything God has put me through has prepared me for a moment like this."
Daniels also discussed faith during his time at LSU. Asked during the Heisman Trophy Award broadcast on ESPN what advice he would give young people, Daniels responded, "Always believe in yourself—no matter the doubters, no matter what people say about you, just believe in yourself. Lean on your faith with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and just keep working." Later, he called God "my Rock, my Savior."
At LSU, Daniels led the NCAA in total yards per game (412), passing touchdowns (40), and total touchdowns (50), while his 208.01 passer rating was the highest in FBS history. During a win over Florida, he became the first player in FBS history to pass for 350 yards and rush for 200 yards in the same game.
Photo Credit: ©Instagram/thatkidjayden
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
