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Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans attends the 15th Annual NFL Honors.
Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is part of a strongly connected brotherhood in the locker room that runs deeper than the uniforms he and his teammates don on game days, and it extends to the coaching staff.
It is a spiritual bond, one that Anderson is never ashamed to share.
That recently remained the case for the former third overall pick of the 2023 draft, drawing attention to the Texans’ star pass rusher in the process.
Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. Delivers Emotional Message
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Anderson recently visited San Quentin prison as part of an outreach program and got emotional discussing his faith, drawing attention with a powerful message.
He spoke of the inmates as more than that, noting how they had committed to living for Christ.
“I don’t mean to get emotional, man. But God literally takes the least likely and uses them to spread his word. You guys are such an inspiration to me. Because I battle daily. I’m like, ‘God, are you sure?’” Anderson told those in attendance to hear him speak.
“But in his word, God says we are his masterpieces. He said, ‘I have created you in my image. This year, more than any year of my life–man, I tell you–I have grown to know Jesus Christ for who he is. Not for what the world says he is, not for what the church says he is, but for what his word says he is.”
I will now also be purchasing a Will Anderson jersey.
God Behind Bars is one of the coolest organizations out there and Will is one of the best dudes there is.
Keep shining that light 🫡
Anderson has spoken candidly about how religion has tied him and several of his fellow Texans together beyond football, including quarterback C.J. Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Both of whom start their press conferences with praise for God.
Will Anderson Jr. Gets Honest About Priorities
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans reacts after a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Anderson, a two-time Pro Bowler and the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year, said the accolades like those are ”fine.” He has found greater meaning in living for a higher purpose.
He said he was “so overwhelmed with joy” this past season because of that.
“I said, ‘God, let our light shine so bright before others, that when others see us, Lord, they glorify your name.’ And to see how I’ve impacted, how I’ve been an inspiration for the kingdom, that’s what I’m most proud about. God has truly been at work,” Anderson said.
“To walk in here and to see all the lives that he’s changed, all the people that he’s touched, it’s just been so beautiful to see. So, I’m just so humbled, man. As a 24-year-old, to be shown his stage, and to be in this room with a bunch of men who gave their life to Christ, it gives me so much hope and so much inspiration to know that God is still working. So, I appreciate y’all, man.”
Anderson has been open about his spirituality. He is showing no signs of backing off from professing it or hoping to lead others to it as well.
Will Anderson Jr. Offers Complete Package
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans celebrates a sack against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Anderson is in line for a big-money extension, possibly as soon as this offseason, as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
The Texans can already view Anderson as a success, a player who is productive and has his priorities in order. The latter point will not show up on the stat sheet. It certainly already has in the team’s facilities.
For that day at least, he got to show it to individuals trying to right their own ships.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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