Move over Kurt Warner … there’s a new rags-to-riches NFL story taking the world by storm.

Now, obviously a kicker isn’t worth the same to an NFL team as a quarterback, but that doesn’t make this story any less cool.

To wit, the once-moribund Detroit Lions team continued its path to relevancy with a gutsy, come-from-behind road win on Sunday night, beating the Houston Texans 26-23 to improve to a sterling 8-1 record — including a perfect 5-0 on the road.

It was a big win that clearly cemented the Lions as probably the team that can best topple the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (who are undefeated despite some apparent chemistry issues), even if the win was a bit ugly.

The Lions won despite poor play throughout most of the game (quarterback Jared Goff threw an unfathomable five interceptions) and directly thanks to the foot of kicker Jake Bates, who just barely made the game-winning kick.

You can watch the tense moment for yourself below:

 

 

(It can’t be stressed enough that the Lions are enjoying this success after losing standout defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in gruesome fashion on Oct. 13.)

Instead, Bates showed the world that his priorities — even with euphoria and adrenaline blasting through him — were in the right place.

In one of NBC’s far less controversial post-game segments, interviewer Melissa Stark spoke to Bates and cornerback Carlton Davis, who notched a pair of crucial interceptions against standout Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.

“Jake, I’m going to start with you,” Stark began. “Both of those field goals, including the game-winner just made it. How nerve-wracking was that?”

A bashful Bates responded: “I put them a little too close to the post for comfort, but luckily, they went in. I mean [punter/holder Jack Fox] and [long snapper Hogan Hatten] are so good. We work so hard. So I have so much confidence in the operation and the line protecting [me]. I’m just happy to do my job today.”

Of note, neither of Bates’ kicks were easy, as he sank a 58- and 52-yard field goal en route to the big win.

It’s at this point that Stark asked about the crazy backstory Bates has — and the kicker answered perfectly.

“And just recently, you were a brick salesman, you thought you were out of football, what does this mean to you to come back and do this in your hometown area?” Stark asked.

“Yeah, I mean, I think it just shows how good the Lord is,” Bates responded without missing a beat. “He’s so faithful. And I mean my story is, if anything, I just hope people can see Jesus through my story.

“I mean, that’s what I think I’m here to do. It’s not make or miss or being a good kicker or a bad kicker, but spread the love of Jesus.

“Hopefully I’m able to do that on the stage I’m given.”

Funnily enough, the NBC interview pivoted away from Bates as soon as he proclaimed his love for Jesus, but that’s neither here nor there.

Bates’ remarks highlight something that the establishment media will never tell you about the NFL: Many of its top stars are unabashedly proud Christians.

And that includes stars past and present — like aforementioned standout quarterback and former league MVP Kurt Warner.

Just like Bates, Warner was living a pretty nondescript life before a second shot at professional football. Warner was cut by the Green Bay Packers in 1994 and briefly went into a career as a supermarket clerk, before a second shot at the NFL produced a Hall of Fame-caliber career.

But perhaps more importantly, just like Bates, Warner has been a proud and vocal Christian throughout this journey.

Bates, Warner, and other athletes like them, are a stark reminder that the NFL actually does have some honest-to-goodness quality human beings — and they’re the ones who should be getting the biggest platform.

The divine intention of God’s good will is revealed in the opening pages of the Bible. We read it:

“Now Adam knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, ‘I have acquired a man from the Lord.’” Genesis 4:1

Here God gives us a beautiful earthly picture of a divine reality: God intended to have a wife and children.

God designed the most wonderful and intimate relationship on earth, that of a husband and wife; and also the blessed fruit of that relationship: children. In the Scriptures, that initial moment that the relationship is brought to a climax is here described as Adam “knew” his wife. Now the world has tried to adulterate, fornicate and mar that picture, but it can’t because it is indelibly inscribed on the pages of God’s holy word.

In the early days of Jewish life, and in the beginning of the relationship of Mary and Joseph, the picture is enlarged for us. First, a woman would become betrothed to a man. This was a binding commitment of marriage, with the “knowing” to come at a later, unspecified time. And so the bride would marry her husband, but then had to wait until he was ready for the marriage to be consummated. This is an exact earthly picture of a divine reality.

Just as God made all things through His Son, so God would take a bride and have children through His Son, Jesus Christ. Here is a brief moment in Jesus’ life, revealing His divine intention. Jesus was talking to His apostles when He asked them who men were saying He was. They were answering Him what men were saying, when He asked, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered Peter and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:16-18

Here is the initial betrothal between Christ and His bride. The Father would bring to Jesus all of those who would make up His church (bride). The twelve apostles would be the beginning (foundational) members of Christ’s body. (Paul was the 12^th apostle chosen by God) In this betrothal, Jesus “knew” Peter, and Peter knew who Jesus was.

Jesus knew exactly what was happening but Peter didn’t, nor did any of the other apostles. But Jesus was unconditionally committing Himself to an everlasting marriage between Himself and all those His Father would bring to Him. From then ‘til now, it has been and is a betrothal for all who have come to believe in Jesus; the marriage is yet to be consummated, but that day is coming.

From the time Jesus sat down as Lord by the Father, until this very hour, His attention, affection and work has been devoted to His church in preparation for the wedding day. Paul tells us:

“…Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish…that the Lord nourishes and cherishes His church, for we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.” Ephesians 5:25-30

The day of consummation will come; that day when we will know Jesus, even as He knows us. God will dress us and adorn us for that blessed day, with brand new bodies that will be just like Jesus’.

“Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:6-7