NFL Star Evan Rodriguez and Wife Refuse to Abort Baby With Anencephaly

Dustin Siggins : Aug 27, 2015
LifeSiteNews

"We decided to continue with the process because we felt like who are we to determine a baby's life? So, we are going to leave it in God's hands." –Evan Rodriguez

(Tampa Bay, FL)—Their child might only live a few hours, but an NFL player and his wife say that prayer led them to not abort Layla Sky. (Screengrab via ABC News/LifeSiteNews)

According to Evan Rodriguez, who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, his wife Olivia is due with their first child in December. Named Layla Sky, she was diagnosed with anencephaly, and is expected to be born with parts of her brain and skull missing—and to only live a few days.

"From that moment on, I'm like, what can we do?" Rodriguez told Tampa Bay's ABC News affiliate about his reaction after the diagnosis. The doctor told the couple to "either terminate it or move forward with the process."

The couple, who prays together each morning, spent a week making their decision. "God, show me what it is that You want to do through all of this. What's the good to come out of it?" asked Olivia each morning.

"We decided to continue with the process because we felt like who are we to determine a baby's life? So, we are going to leave it in God's hands," Rodriguez said.

In addition to preparing for the arrival of Layla, Olivia and Evan are raising awareness of anencephaly. Their Facebook page has more than 2,600 followers.

"It felt like it was our job to let other people know about this," said Rodriguez, who said he knows he'll see her again. "She'll be waiting up there saying 'Daddy.' So, there's a time and place for everything."

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