Denver’s Bo Nix using opportunities before him to influence others for Christ
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is building a solid case for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year, even as he stands for his Christian faith.
Coming off the most electric game of his career,…
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is building a solid case for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year, even as he stands for his Christian faith.
Coming off the most electric game of his career, Nix, who is just 24, has the Broncos thinking about the playoffs for the first time since 2015. The University of Oregon graduate led Denver to a 38-6 smackdown of the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions, more than 300 passing yards and an 84.8% completion percentage. His quarterback rating was 145.
To put that stat line in perspective, Nix is the only rookie quarterback in NFL history to put up those numbers in a game, and he is the second rookie to pass for at least 200 yards and two touchdowns in four straight home games, joining Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
Broncos Coach Sean Payton says the rookie has “certainly settled in.
“Our third down, red zone, there were a lot of things he did really well tonight,” Payton told reporters after the win. In “our league, you’re learning each week, and then pretty soon you’re like, ‘I belong here.’ It’s clear he belongs here.”
Nix’s early success has come as a welcome surprise even to the franchise that drafted him.
Denver selected Nix as the 12th overall pick in last year’s draft, but didn’t name the Heisman finalist as a starter from day one. Much of the coverage around the Broncos QB position assumed Denver would give Nix a chance to compete for the job, but few believed he would start immediately.
But Payton named Nix the starter in August as it became clear through preseason play that he was the best quarterback on the roster. That decision kicked off a season that has the Broncos leading the Indianapolis Colts by one game for the final AFC wild card spot.
While Nix has been a standout this year at his position, his humility through the success has remained intact through his faith in Jesus. This has always been the case as Nix has continually expressed his faith publicly throughout the years, even as Alabama’s “Mr. Football” in high school and one of the top recruits in the country.
In his first start as a true freshman at Auburn, a game where his Tigers were down 21-6 to No. 11 Oregon in the third quarter, Nix led three straight touchdown drives to knock off the Ducks, with his final score coming with nine seconds left on the clock. After that incredible comeback, Nix simply expressed gratitude to the Lord for the opportunity.
“It’s special, It’s really cool. Like I said, I’m glad to be in this situation. God has blessed me in a huge way and I can’t thank Him enough for what He’s done for me and my family. I’m just thankful for it,” Nix told ESPN’s Maria Taylor following the win.
Nix’s time at Auburn, where His father, Patrick played quarterback as well, ultimately didn’t go according to plan. Facing injuries, coaching changes and up and down play, Nix was eventually benched his junior year.
That crossroads led him to make the decision to transfer from Auburn to, coincidentally, the University of Oregon, the team he beat in the promising start to his collegiate career.
Nix told the Oregonian last December:
“It’s just, unfortunately, inside the white lines didn’t go how I wanted it to (at Auburn). For my goals and aspirations, I felt like I had to make a change solely for that. I’ve always said Auburn was still some of the greatest years of my life. I met my wife (Izzy) and I was meant to be at Auburn for that time, but at the same time, God doesn’t promise us we’re going to get everything we want and we’re going to go and have all the success.”
When Nix made the decision to enter the transfer portal, he announced it via an Instagram video, saying, “I don’t know what the next chapter of my life looks like, but I do know that whatever it is, God has ordered my steps and He has a plan for me like He does for everyone else.”
Nix went on to an impressive run at Oregon, becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist in his senior season. On draft day, reporters asked how he overcame the adversity he so clearly faced at Auburn, and Nix used his answer to point directly to the Lord.
“For me, it’s really easy. My faith is really important to me. I’ve always been a faith-based person. I believe that God has a plan for me and my life. I truly believe that He has set this path in front of me, and He put me here in Denver for a reason.
“… You just have to trust and believe that His plans are higher than your ways. So that’s what I truly believe. I’m a perfect example of that. If you haven’t seen it already, you can look at my story and know that He has an individual plan for each one of our lives. He sets it out in front of us, and all we have to do is follow,” Nix added.
While Denver is hoping to finish the season with enough wins to claim that final playoff spot, for Nix, the game is much bigger than wins and losses.
“I’m not playing the game just because of football and for wins and losses and for all this fame or glory. It’s [that] God’s presented me with the opportunity: he’s given me a gift and I want to use it to influence other people.”
Nix’s wife Izzy, a former Auburn cheerleader, says he told her of his “God sized dream” to play in the NFL the first day they met.
“My faith in Jesus is extremely important to me, and my favorite part has been standing beside someone who dedicates his life, journey, and platform all to the glory of God,” she told fashion company Mestiza New York. “I have witnessed years of hard work and sacrifices made, and there has been nothing more rewarding than having a front row seat to watching this dream of his come true.”
Nix leads his Broncos to Las Vegas this week as they take on their division rival (2-8) Raiders Sunday at 3:05 CST.
