Watch

Jeremiah Attaochu Finds His Place On and Off the Field

Creator:
Published:
March 6, 2024
November 14, 2020
Christian NFL player Jeremiah Attaochu speaks to his faith and finding his place in the world and in God's kingdom.|Christian NFL player Jeremiah Attaochu speaks to his faith and finding his place in the world and in God's kingdom.

It’s one thing to make it to the NFL; it’s another to make a living there. Jeremiah Attaochu had to battle back from a dark place following an injury to find a role with the 49ers in 2018. Today, he continues to make a name for himself, and lives out his purpose, on the Broncos."

My perspective is this way because of the way my life has been. I can walk into a room and treat everybody the same because I’ve been in most people’s shoes."

Video Transcript

In 2013, Jeremiah was a second-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech.

Jeremiah Attaochu: So if it's a fight to get to your fourth year in the league. It's a lot of tears, a lot of pain, a lot of anger.

In 2018, Jeremiah entered free agency after a series of injuries.

Jeremiah: There’s a lot of thoughts, negative thoughts that can creep into your head.

Man on phone: In terms of getting on the field, getting your career back on path. If all things were equal, the money, and you felt like the opportunity was the same at the Jets and the Niners, what do you think you would choose to do?

Jeremiah: Whoo.

I broke my foot that year, but you know what? Even in the midst of my struggle, God always comes out. Like God is like, "Hey, Bro." When they announced my Walter Payton Man of the Year thing during the game, I was in a bed in San Diego on pain meds, my leg up in the air. And I was crying, bro. I was just like, "Man."

Jeremiah: And I was grieved. My spirit was grieved, man. It got dark, man, because I was ... you know, because I was going through stuff, man. I was going through some sh*t, man.

Friend: Yeah.

Jeremiah: It's almost like you feel like you're banging your head against the wall, like no results.

Friend: So what'd you do to get out of that?

Friend: What do you feel like your purpose is in one sentence?

Jeremiah: Oohf, man. I think my purpose is to establish my place in God's Kingdom, and it's just to be an instrument. That's my purpose, is to be an instrument for God in this land.

You know, my experiences are unique. I've experienced a third-world country, growing up in a third-world country. I've experienced near-death malaria, almost dying as a child. I've experienced those things. And then I experienced God taking me from that to Washington, DC, to being in the hood, to living in the attic of a church and being a charity case. You know, to making it to college, to the NFL, to wealth, to prosperity.

My perspective is this way because of my life, the way my life has been. And I can walk into a room and I can treat everybody the same, because I've been in most people's shoes.

Interviewer: What's it like putting on new colors for the first time and the new logo?

Jeremiah: It's amazing. Yeah, it feels amazing. Yeah, it's exciting to put on some new colors. I love powder blue, but this is ...I can get used to this.

Interviewer: What do you want to prove to yourself?

Jeremiah: I want to prove to myself that I am who I am and I know who I am.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
March 6, 2024
November 14, 2020
On a related note...
Bearded Blevins Fortnite Stream Aims to Change the World

Bearded Blevins Fortnite Stream Aims to Change the World

Grotto

6 Reasons You Should Let Your Family Set You Up

6 Reasons You Should Let Your Family Set You Up

Mariah Cressy

I Got My Dream Job with NY Fashion Week, Then Quit

I Got My Dream Job with NY Fashion Week, Then Quit

Olivia T. Taylor

Why I'm Catholic: The Eucharist

Why I'm Catholic: The Eucharist

Grotto

The Prayer Journal That Helped Us Rethink Holiness

The Prayer Journal That Helped Us Rethink Holiness

Grotto Shares

Finding Humor and Healing in Recovery

Finding Humor and Healing in Recovery

Grotto

“The Clamour of the Heart”

“The Clamour of the Heart”

Maisy Williams

How I Found Spiritual Peace in My Running Routine

How I Found Spiritual Peace in My Running Routine

Mary Grace Mangano

How Beauty Gave Me Strength in Suffering

How Beauty Gave Me Strength in Suffering

Bridget McCartney Nohara

Forgiving Your Parents for Past (or Present) Hurts

Forgiving Your Parents for Past (or Present) Hurts

Dr. Daniel, Bethany Meola

How to Rock Your New Godparenting Gig

How to Rock Your New Godparenting Gig

Jessica Mannen Kimmet

Seeking Beauty with St. Josephine Bakhita | #GrottoMusic

Seeking Beauty with St. Josephine Bakhita | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Why This Ex-Wall Street Journal Reporter Left His Dream Job

Why This Ex-Wall Street Journal Reporter Left His Dream Job

Mike Jordan Laskey

8 Saints You’ll Want Interceding for Your Love Life

8 Saints You’ll Want Interceding for Your Love Life

Maria Walley

Empowered Employment for Adults With Autism

Empowered Employment for Adults With Autism

Grotto

It’s Not Easy Being First — Here’s How to Take the Leap

It’s Not Easy Being First — Here’s How to Take the Leap

Molly Cruitt

How to Kick Your Bad Habits — Once and For All

How to Kick Your Bad Habits — Once and For All

Julia Hogan-Werner

"LULLABY OF HYDERABAD"

"LULLABY OF HYDERABAD"

Barbara Lisette

Children's Author Teaches Kids How to Draw

Children's Author Teaches Kids How to Draw

Grotto

This 28-Year-Old Shows Us How to Bear Suffering with Hope

This 28-Year-Old Shows Us How to Bear Suffering with Hope

Grace Carroll

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.