Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr spoke out for the first time since being unceremoniously benched for the final two weeks of the NFL season.
In a moving speech last week at ChurchLV in Las Vegas, the devout Christian said he does not feel sad or defeated because his football career took an unexpected downturn.
Carr, who has preached the Gospel at churches in California and elsewhere, said his recent struggles only strengthened his faith and belief that God is using him for a higher purpose.
“I’m a little fired up these past couple of weeks. I’m going through some stuff a little bit, right? And I’ve found out that nothing can get me down,” the 32-year-old NFL star said. “Nothing can kick my feet out from under me.
“There’s nothing that can come against me where I’m not going to win in the end. There’s nothing that can come against my household, for the Spirit of God breaks it free and says, ‘We don’t need to worry about that.’”
Carr, who has spent nine years with the Raiders in Oakland and Las Vegas, reassured his family, friends and fans that he’s not only surviving this latest trial but is thriving.
“Do you all know how many text messages I’ve gotten saying, ‘Are you OK?’” he said.