Harold Carmichael knows what it is like to be in the daily grind of professional sports. As a Philadelphia Eagle, Carmichael led his team numerous seasons in multiple categories.

In Faith on the Field’s recent episode, ‘Help Is On the Way’, Rob Maaddi spoke with Carmichael about his recent selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class.

As Carmichael’s football career ended and his next phase of life began, he began to get anxious as he thought about his legacy. Specifically, would he ever get the professional recognition he knew he deserved through an honor like the Hall of Fame.

“Maybe 10 years ago I was lying in bed, just thinking about things wondering, “Why I don’t have to do all of these catches? Why am I not in the Hall of Fame?” Why this? Why that?

In the midst of his reflection, God had to remind Carmichael how much he had been blessed over the years and to be patient in His timing.

“In a way, God was saying to me ‘Just wait, just be patient. One day.' One of the worst things I did was trying to question God and saying, ‘When?’

During these times of questioning, it helped Carmichael to remember to not find his identity in things like the Hall of Fame, but in pleasing God.

“When I feel I’m putting a smile on God’s face, I’m good with everybody. When I make God smile and (He) says, ‘Good job Harold’, that is what I work for.”