Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) hosted a night of worship, testimony, and community on Mon., April 14, as Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins spoke at Rollins College. The event—held in the Alfond Gymnasium—featured live worship, student-athlete testimonies, and a Q&A with Cousins. The evening drew a packed crowd of students from Rollins and the University of Central Florida (UCF), along with non-student attendees of all ages.
The highlight of the evening was Cousins’ message, rooted in faith and purpose beyond football. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback, best known for his leadership on the field and his outspoken faith off of it, shared how his journey to the NFL was never guaranteed—recalling the end of his high school career with no college offers and uncertain prospects. “I walked off the field my senior year with no idea what was next,” Cousins said. “But my dad reminded me, God has a plan for me.”
Cousins, who played at Michigan State University before being drafted by the Washington Redskins, emphasized that what defines him aren’t his stats, but his heart for Jesus. He shared personal stories about growing up as a pastor’s kid, the guidance of scripture like 1 John 2:6, and the turning point in his life during college after listening to a sermon series on the Book of Daniel. “I made the decision to follow God no matter what,” he said. “Even if it costs me something.”
Throughout the night, Cousins mixed humor and humility as he answered questions from students, touching on topics ranging from balancing faith and football to being a husband and father. “As a dad, you wake up realizing it’s not about you anymore; you can try and make it about you, but you won’t get far,” he said, laughing. When asked about pregame routines, he described his typical game day: waking up early, going over plays, spending time in prayer, heading on the bus, and taking in the moment during the national anthem. “That’s when you look around and realize that there’s someone in every seat,” he said.
Cousins is also known for his viral “You like that?!” catchphrase and post game dances; he laughed when asked about fan interactions. “I’ll be at the airport or get sacked in a game, and someone yells it,” he joked.
But the conversation always returned to faith. “Christianity isn’t just a belief system, it’s a relationship with Jesus,” he said. Cousins compared salvation to being covered in mud, walking toward a white carpet—unable to clean oneself, but made pure through Christ. “We’ve all sinned, and we can’t fix that on our own,” he said. “But Jesus stepped in so we could be made right.”
In a final reflection, Cousins offered a piece of advice that he would give to his younger self: “Trust him.” From being overlooked by recruiters to getting benched in the middle of last season, Cousins said his journey has been filled with unknowns. “But I’ve learned that even when it doesn’t make sense, God is writing the story,” he said.
The night also featured testimonies from UCF track and field athlete Adaobi Tabugbo (‘26) and Rollins student Ian Heart (’27), who each shared how their faith deepened through personal traits, loss, and transformation. Their stories echoed FCA’s mission—to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and his church—and set the tone for Cousins’ message of trust and surrender.
As the night ended, attendees were reminded of a simple yet powerful message drawn from football: the victory formation. “In football, when the game is won, you snap the ball and take a knee,” said Frank Reynoso, lead pastor at Body of One Ministries. “That’s what we’re doing tonight, surrendering to Jesus because the victory is already his.”
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