Kirk Cousins, quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, and former QB of the Washington Redskins, is a faithful and Christ-centered brother. We’ve gotten to know each other well over the last seven years, seeing each other once or twice a year and often texting. Several years back Nanci and I spent three days with Kirk and his wonderful wife Julie in their home and saw up close their hearts and character. (Here’s a Q&A I did with Kirk on Heaven, happiness, and generosity.) Those who have seen the Netflix series “Quarterback” know why so many viewers came to deeply appreciate and respect the Cousins. The family’s Christian faith was clear, and many reviewers, including no doubt some unbelievers, singled out Kirk as their favorite of the three QBs featured.
Despite the fact that those who know him personally realize he is a caring and loving person, Kirk has received heavy criticism recently from LGBQT advocates for simply appearing on a Focus on the Family program, even though he said nothing whatsoever about LGBQT issues. One article begins, “Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is under fire from angry fans after he sat down with Focus on the Family, an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group, for a conversation about faith and marriage.” It says,
Cousins engaged in a discussion with Focus on the Family's Chief Operating Officer Ken Windebank. The conversation revolved around Cousins' faith and the significance of marriage. Notably, Focus on the Family espouses fundamentalist Christian beliefs, including anti-LGBTQ+ stances and support for conversion therapy, among other contentious positions. During the half-hour dialogue, Cousins didn't explicitly delve into LGBTQ+ matters. Still, his alignment with Focus on the Family's values becomes apparent through his rhetoric.
After I shared the article with our EPM staff, my assistant Amy Woodard responded with these thoughts, which I really appreciated:
It’s too bad Kirk is receiving this unfair criticism (and Focus on the Family too!). But what made me chuckle is that the article quoted the statements (below) trying to discredit him, but all it does is share God’s truth with their audience! Then at the end of the article, it links to the entire 34-minute video with FOTF where they can watch and listen to Kirk talk about what it means to trust God and walk with Him.
It reminds me of Philippians 1 where Paul is in jail and says that God is using it to advance the gospel, since the whole palace guard knows why he is there, and it’s giving people confidence to proclaim the gospel even more. Verse 17-18 says, “The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I in chains, but what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
It’s not fun to be unfairly criticized and misrepresented, but I hope Kirk is encouraged that without intending to, even his critics have helped spread his message, including biblical truth about the family and the good news about Jesus. The article said the following about Kirk, then quoted his biblically based words (see Galatians 6:7-8).
He shared thoughts on the consequences of life choices, echoing a belief in reaping outcomes based on actions taken:
"There are consequences to the choices you make in life. Good or bad. And if you sow good things you’ll reap good things. But if you sow poor decisions, you’ll reap poor decisions."
And at another point, he addressed his discomfort with how culture has drifted away from matters of faith, referencing one of his mentors within the organization:
“He challenged us to understand that that meant following Jesus, even if it cost you something. So if culture goes this way and Jesus went this way, even if it cost you something. I’m going to be a fully devoted follower, even if it costs me something."
"I’m going to trust Him and build my life on His truth."
Randy again: Seriously, isn’t this exactly what you would want readers of that website to hear?
Here’s the full video of Kirk sharing what it means to live as an ambassador for Christ:
Consider how these passages relate to the adversarial statements about Kirk Cousins and Focus on the Family, and how they apply to our own lives in light of God’s sovereignty and hidden purposes:
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…” (Genesis 50:20).
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
“The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths” (Psalm 135:6).
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
