By Alex Brick –
After throwing for 254 passing yards and two touchdowns, after completing 21 of his 23 passes, after running in a TD himself and picking up 39 rushing yards, pundits said Jayden Daniels had played a “flawless” game in the Washington D.C. Commanders’ upset over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 23.
But Daniels, 23, didn’t let them lavish praise on him.
“I give credit to my O-line. I give credit to my receivers. But most importantly, I give all glory to God,” he said on Sports Spectrum. When informed he secured “the highest [completion percentage] for a rookie ever in the history of this league,” the athlete responded, “Give glory to God, man.”
Jayden Daniels’ journey as a star rookie quarterback is more than just a story of athletic success; it’s a testament to his faith.
Daniels grew up in a house in San Bernardino, CA, where faith was prominent. His mom instilled in him the importance of prayer and relying on God’s guidance. “My mom always told me that talents are gifts from God, but how we use them is our gift back to Him,” Daniels told. This message stuck with him.
He played at Louisiana State University where he won the Heisman, all the while making his Christian walk just as important as his game-winning drives.
At LSU, Daniels not only excelled as a player but also as a spiritual leader. He often gathered teammates for pregame prayers and encouraged them to find strength outside themselves.
“I don’t worry about things I can’t control,” Daniels said on LSU Sports. “There’s some stuff where it’s just human nature to have anxiety; you get nervous about it because you don’t know what the outcome is going to be. You can’t predict the unpredictable. So, as I mature, grow up more and dive deeper into my faith, I just know that it’s God’s plan with everything.”
After graduating in 2024, he was the second pick of the first-round draft. The Commanders didn’t have a QB, so they dropped him straight onto the field, sink or swim. Daniels surprised everyone with a high-level performance.
The Commanders are poised to make the playoffs, in large part thanks to Daniels.
Daniels’ faith isn’t confined to the football field. Off the field, he uses his platform to inspire others, speaking at youth events and sharing his testimony. For Daniels, success isn’t measured in touchdowns or awards but in his ability to impact lives for Christ.
“I feel like everything God has put me through has prepared me for a moment like this,” he wrote. “On my journey, I did my best to make the right decisions. I made the choices that I hoped would lead me here before I knew it was written. That’s called faith.”
