God's Faithfulness Carries QB Through Trials and Triumphs
by Doug Greengard
August 18, 2006
(AgapePress) - - From the pinnacle of success to the depths of despair, Trent Dilfer, quarterback for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, has experienced it all. He has seen times of great triumph and even greater tragedy in both his professional and personal life.| | 
This story is excerpted from Doug Greengard's book Heroes of Faith (Vol. II), which contains 28 stories about the biggest names in sports and their faith in Jesus Christ.
Click here to order the book. |
"God has become so much bigger through these times," said Dilfer. "His grace has abounded beyond anything I ever thought I could experience."The Dilfer family continues to deal with the loss of their son, Trevin, who after battling a heart ailment, passed away in the spring of 2003 at the age of five. It was the type of experience that can leave many questioning God.
"I've never stopped to ask why," added the veteran quarterback. "We just ask what He wants us to learn from this and how He wants to use this. He has been faithful times a million."
Dilfer's football career has been an emotional roller coaster. After Tampa Bay chose him as the sixth overall pick in the 1994 draft, Dilfer spent his first six years playing for the Buccaneers. There, he emerged as the team's second all-time leading passer and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. In 2000, he joined Baltimore and quarterbacked the Ravens to the Super Bowl XXXV championship.
"Winning the Super Bowl was great and it was fun and I enjoyed every moment of it, but it's a small moment in time compared to the gift of eternal life and what we have in Christ," said Dilfer, who saw countless teammates left unfulfilled in the wake of Super Bowl success. "Nothing fills the void except Christ. People hear that all the time, but it's true."
Before receiving his title ring, Dilfer was released by the Ravens and was signed by Seattle. His tenure in Seattle was marked with several injuries and he was relegated to mostly a back-up role. "I believe that God has allowed football to go that way in my life so that I trust Him more," added Dilfer, who signed with Cleveland in the spring of 2005 and was then traded to the 49ers this May.
"I have really struggled with pride throughout my life, and if football would have come easy for me I would not have followed Him and trusted Him the way I needed to," he said. "And He, by His love, has allowed me to go through some hard times so I would be dependent on Him completely."
Through it all, Dilfer seems to have found the one teammate he can always depend on. His name is Jesus Christ.
Doug Greengard is a nationally recognized sportscaster and speaker. He is also the former chaplain for the NFL's New Orleans Saints and the host/producer of Christian Sports Minute, a radio feature airing on more than 300 stations in North America.
