Q+A with Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson is a tight end for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League. Before coming to the Saints, Ben played with the Cleveland Browns (2010-2012) and New England Patriots (2004-2010) where he won a Super Bowl ring in his rookie year. I've been fortunate to spend time with Ben on a few different occasions and really enjoyed our conversations. He's a man of God, a husband, a father of 4, and was gracious enough to do a Q+A on a variety of topics.Jason: What was your childhood like?
Benjamin: I had a fun childhood. I'm the oldest of 6 so the house was always busy. My parents taught us about the Lord from a young age and demonstrated it with their life. I felt they were to strict at times but I'm thankful for that now. I loved sports as a kid and would play outside all the time.
Jason: When did your walk with Christ begin?
Benjamin: I first repented of my sin and my faith in Christ when I was about 6 years old. I grew to understand more of what that meant as I got older. My father shared John 3:16 with me one night before bed, we prayed together and I responded to the Gospel.
Jason: What was college like and being a christian at the University of Georgia?
Benjamin: It was what being a believer in the world is suppose to be. I had friends who were believers and I got involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes which is where I met my wife. On the other hand, I experienced temptation and failure at times. I knew I wanted to be different. I knew I was a new creation. But I still dealt with desires and loneliness at times. For the first time I had to decide if this was my parents faith or MY faith. It was a good time of growth in that area.
Jason: What does being a Dad mean to you?
Benjamin: Being a Dad is a privilege, a responsibility and a great joy. It is a challenge too, being responsible for molding and providing spiritually and physically for these children. There's no owners manual! I love it.
Jason: How do you balance the football player Benjamin with the husband and father Benjamin?
Benjamin: Tedy Bruschi once told never to bring the pressures, and emotional roller coaster of football into the house when I get home. When I'm home I'm daddy and husband. Now that my kids are a little older they enjoy knowing daddy the football player too. But they know they come first.
Jason: What was that moment like playing in a Super Bowl and being on a team that went an entire season undefeated?
Benjamin: I've been blessed to experience winning in the NFL. My only regret is that I didn't enjoy the moment as much as worry about the outcomes.
Jason: Life is different when you are 24 compared to when you are 34. What was it like being 24 year old kid in the NFL as a believer, and now being one of the veterans in the locker room?
Benjamin: As a younger player I was more concerned with what other people thought. I was never ashamed but wasn't as vocal as I am now. At 34 i know there's not much time left for me to be a positive influence so I'm pouring out as much as I can. Respect comes with years in the league. Even if younger players don't agree with me they respect my opinions and I'm thankful for that.
Jason: How do you work in a daily discipline of prayer and worship and devotions during the NFL season when you have virtually zero time to yourself? (practice, games, film study, family time, etc)
Benjamin: We actually have more time than you'd think. Weekly Bible study on Tuesday mornings, Saturday chapel and Saturday night reading and prayer with a couple teammates are a few ways I get fed spiritually. Also we pray as a family at night and read devotions from time to time.
Jason: Who was your biggest mentor early in your NFL career?
Benjamin: My biggest mentor was Don Davis. He was like our team chaplain even though he was a player. He was authentic and honest and always gave us biblical wisdom.
Jason: Is there a story you can share during your NFL career where you saw a teammate or coach come to trust in Jesus?
Benjamin: This past year we had a rookie receiver. He was a brand new believer when I met him. God put him on my heart to reach out to him and he responded with a hunger for the word I've rarely seen in a young man. He met with another teammate and me the entire season and has grown tremendously. He will be a pro bowl caliber player as well. We also had a few guys on our team share their testimonies for the first time this year which was a blessing.
Jason: How did the Facebook post on Ferguson, Missouri from last December come about?
Benjamin: I had been following the proceedings since the incident first took place. We had a Monday night game the night of the decision not to prosecute Officer Wilson. I found out after the game what had happened and saw the national reaction. I had strong feelings about the entire situation and its implications as well. I write from time to time so I started writing in my iPhone not knowing how or what I would say. I finished my thoughts Tuesday night sitting in a target parking lot. Two hours later my wife asked me "Did you write something? Because Facebook is blowing up."
Jason: Did you know the impact that post would have on so many people?
Benjamin: I had no idea. God used that simple post to touch a lot of people in a variety of ways. It wasn't me. The response has been overwhelming from people of all shades and views.
Jason: You basically preached the gospel in that post and saw it go viral. Did that give you hope that this world still was craving faith and hope in a society that looks down on christianity in many ways?
Benjamin: It did. It was encouraging because sometimes we think we are alone. There are Christians everywhere in every walk of life and although it seems things are turning against biblical Christianity, God showed me that His word is still truth and won't return void. I also saw that people who don't agree were not offended in large part because of my honesty. I think that's key. We are all in the same boat in need of forgiveness.
Jason: What type of doors did that post open up for you?
Benjamin: It's been an exciting offseason. I've spoken in churches, race relation conventions, the Pentagon and I just won a K-Love Fan Choice Award.
Jason: Has that post and the response changed your outlook on what might be coming for you once football is over?
Benjamin: Well I'd love to be at ESPN with you. But I know that God has a plan. He's taught me that he can do whatever he wants with whatever and whomever he wants. So I'm looking forward to what's in store.
For more information on Benjamin, go to his website http://thebenjaminwatson.com