Matt Birk Tries to Keep God at the Center of His Life
Throughout his all-pro career as a center, God at the center is the secret to true success.
By Faith on the Field Staff, November 19, 2021
Matt Birk was a six-time pro bowl center for the Minnesota Vikings and the Baltimore Ravens. He won a Superbowl with the Ravens in his last year in the NFL in 2012.
In 2012, without missing any games due to injury, walked away from professional football as a World Champion. But according to Birk, when the right circumstances present themselves, you will know when it’s time to transition.
“I knew defending it (the championship) was going to be an even harder challenge, but I love John Harbaugh, I love the guys I played with. I thought I would just be fun.”
“But at the end of the day, you know, I played 15 years, I was healthy at the time. I had six kids at home. I thought he was just the right thing to do. You count your blessings. Don't push your luck, time to go home and be there more and to be a better husband and be more present as a father. And that’s what I decided to do.”
Listen to the episode here:
FAITH ON THE FIELD IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR PROGRAM SPONSORS:
Is Faith on the Field an encouragement to you?
Would you help us get our ministry into new markets? Your financial gift can help us do just that:
As a player, Matt had to try to keep a good balance between professional football and being a dad and a husband. Thankfully he had good guys around him to help him with that.
“I think for the most part it was just being with each other every day, knowing that we were all striving for the same thing; trying to do our jobs well, trying to be at home and be a good husband and good fathers and also being accountable to each other.”
Though retired, Matt still has a lot going on in his life. It would be easy for him to allow priorities to slide and become complacent. But he strives to keep things in the right place, particularly his relationship with God."
“I try to keep God at the center of my life with everything I do, my marriage, as a father, my as a friend, with business, you know everything.”
“There’s a lot of ups and down in life, and to me it doesn’t make sense if God is not at the center.”
