On Wednesday, April 18, 2018 Eastern University hosted the “Faith on the Field Show”, where Eastern students and community experienced meeting Zach Ertz and Jordan Hicks to hear their testimonies about their faith on the field. Zach Ertz and Jordan Hicks are two recent Super Bowl winners who play for our very own Philadelphia Eagles. Jordan Hicks is a linebacker on Philadelphia. Hicks played seven games this year before he was sidelined because of injury. In other news, Zach Ertz is more commonly known for his winning 2018 Super Bowl catch,he also had eight touchdowns during the regular season. Although the two players have had numerous amounts of success this last year, they both commonly agreed at the event that their faith to Jesus Christ is more important than the win.
Zach Ertz explained how two years ago winning the Super Bowl would of been the best moment of his life but since receiving his faith he professes it was just another moment. They both explain their reasoning by stating that winning the Super Bowl does not fulfill, their belief in Christ does. Jordan Hicks testified that winning the Super Bowl mainly opened up doors to come to events like these and discuss our faith.
Host Rob Maaddi asks “what is it about the bond that Philadelphia Eagles had in 2017, that allowed you, not to win the Super Bowl but to overcome all the adversity, Jordan getting hurt, Carson’s Injury, how much of that was because you have that strong faith?” Hicks responded with explaining that the characteristic of love needs to be in the locker room. He goes on to say that the men in that locker room knew there was love behind the whole thing, whether they were believers or not, Christ was the solid foundation for their overcoming adversity. Later in the event Ertz goes on to explain that we know we always have to be there for each other.
Ertz explains that each man normally has several men on the team that they are close too but the men still go out of their way to challenge each other, to be there for new people. He states “that’s probably the biggest thing, we are able to be vulnerable, to be there.” The players statement is to be there the way Jesus would be there. They are exclaiming that it is important to be there as a disciple of Jesus in the church, with their teammates, and with life. Both players state that there was always someone there in their life to guide them to Christ. Jordan states “there was always someone present in my life…, I got to college and was living a sinful life…, I was looking for ways to satisfy…, and they never satisfied.” He explains that there were people in his life that took him on a journey to find his faith, there was always someone there to take him to church. Later in the conference Zach states, “Yeah I have earthly goals but my main goal is to go out and make disciples.” He explains how him being there with Carson helped him get past his injury and how the Philly players being there for him helped him develop his faith. Both the players inspiring stories explained how a community in Christ helps build lasting, faithful relationships. The players showing up to Eastern University, gave Eastern University a life proverb to live by, which is to be present as a community through faith and discipleship.