Aces of Trades: Godwin Igwebuike uses faith in God to deal with pressures of NFL career

PICKERINGTON − Not many people locally know what it's like to score a touchdown in a National Football League game. But former Pickerington High School North Panther Godwin Igwebuike does.

"Honestly, it's hard to put into words," he said. "I'm still in awe, honestly. It feels like it was somebody else. It was a 40-yard plus touchdown against the Steelers that put us on top in my first year of playing running back. But unless you show me the film, I think it's somebody else. That's how unbelievable and how incredible it is. I could watch it all day."

Igwebuike scored the touchdown in 2021 while playing for the Detroit Lions. He has also scored in pre-season games. He started his career as a defensive back, but is now a running back.

Igwebuike is currently a free agent, but plans to play in the NFL again next year. He was with the Seattle Seahawks last year and said he may return there for next year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him 2018 after his college career at Northwestern University.

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He has spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and also played in the XFL.

"It's been a journey," Igwebuike said. "It's not what people think it is watching TV. There's challenges that come with it. Obviously, it's an incredible blessing. But it is very unstable, so it can have its periods of really having to keep your mental health strong and make those things a priority for sure."

While going through the trials and pressures of playing in the NFL, Igwebuike has relied on his faith in God to help get by, including the times he was not signed with a team and looking for a chance to play.

"It's been a very tumultuous kind of here and there and a lot of distrust that's come into play," he said. "I think it's forced me to lean into my faith more than I ever had in my past. Speaking about those times when I wasn't in the league for about two years, the Lord was just doing a lot of work to my heart. It kind of just takes your dream away and you're left with, who am I? What's my foundation? What's my identity?"

But he said taking night walks and praying to God helped him answer those questions while preparing for his NFL return.

"I look back and it's been some of the hardest years," Igwebuike said. "But I am so grateful at the end of the day because it's just cultivated a deeper intimacy with God and joy and peace. No matter what life looks like, we can have it all. Like (Apostle) Paul talked about it's through Jesus that we can find contentment and peace and joy. Not material things. Not occupations and not even our dreams. That's what I'm most thankful for."

Besides being a professional football player, Igwebuike is also a musician who has just released a Christian single called "Long Nights." He also released a documentary of his life on YouTube called "The Long Way," in which "Long Nights" is also featured.

"I started doing music a little bit in college," he said. "It's something I've been just delving into more. It's one of my passions, music. It's something I want to continue to delve into during my off seasons."

Igwebuike also helps his family produce a Christian music festival in Canal Winchester each year. This year's event will be on July 1 with details at www.favorfarmsfestival.com.

Along with his passion for music, he said he's also passionate about community and bringing people together.

"Life is short," Igwebuike said. "Whatever things I'm passionate about, I just try to give it a shot and really just start throwing stuff at the wall."

To get away from football, Igwebuike enjoys spending time with his wife, Ari.

"We like to eat," he said. "We're amateur foodies, I'd say. We're always asking around about different restaurants in the city or the 'burbs. We love going to the movies. I enjoy writing, as well. I have a newsletter that I try to stay as active as I can in."

jbarron@gannett.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Godwin Igwebuike uses faith in God to deal with pressure of NFL career