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Testimony Stuns Sports WorldExpecting to die by the age of 21, Hall of Fame inductee Curtis Martin spoke to God, promising Him that if he survived past that age he would give his life over to Him and "do whatever You want me to do." (Canton, OH)—When my husband gets choked up trying to relay a story to me, I know there's something profound going on. And when he insists I watch a video of said story to capture the impact, rather than just read a written account, I realize I've found something extraordinary to share with BCN readers. Such is the testimony of former NFL running back Curtis Martin, as expressed in his recent induction into the Hall of Fame speech.
In a nutshell, Martin grew up in a tough Pittsburgh neighborhood, the son of a sadistic, alcoholic father who often viciously tortured Martin's mother Rochella. (Rochella was present at the induction and cried as her son spoke). Martin's own grandmother and aunt (his mother's sister) were both brutally murdered and when Martin was 15, he recalled that a gunman pointed a gun at his head and pulled the trigger seven times without the bullet firing. Finally, he said, when the man pointed the weapon away from Martin, it discharged. "I'm so grateful to my mother," said Martin. "[She] is the strongest individual I've ever known." Martin confessed, to his stunned listeners, that he never really "loved" the game of football; rather, it was his mother who urged him to play the sport to stay out of trouble. His life turned around forever, he claimed, when in desperation he sought out a church to pray in. Having grown up in a completely non-Christian environment, he said he didn't want to make a deal with the devil; he wanted to talk directly to God. Not knowing how else to communicate with Him, Martin said he spoke to God in street language. "I played for a purpose bigger than the game," he admitted, recounting how, later, his pastor, Leroy Joseph told him, "Curtis, look at it this way . . . maybe football is just something that God is giving you to do all those wonderful things that you say you want to do for other people." "I tell you," said Martin, "it was like a light bulb came on in my head." As reported in Yahoo Sports, helping other people included what Martin calls his greatest accomplishment—getting his mother to forgive his father. Click on the link provided to watch a remarkable Christian share a moving testimony in his own words. For someone to come through the fire of such a heinous childhood, and be so spiritually healthy and centered on Christ, as Martin is, is a miracle the angels must be rejoicing in.
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As noted by multiple news sources, it was a humble Martin who bared his soul to his captive audience, amidst many cheers and an abundance of tears. Martin, himself, often choked up while sharing his testimony.
