The Glory of the Backup: The Inspiring Stories of Case Keenum and Nick Foles

Last updated on: January 24, 2018 at 4:31 pm by Paul Asay

The Glory of the Backup: The Inspiring Stories of Case Keenum and Nick Foles 2018-01-24T16:31:54-06:00 Paul Asay

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Case Keenum, screenshot courtesy Fox Sports

Back in college, Case Keenum was lights out. He’s still the all-time Division I leader in passing yards (19,217), completions (1,546) and touchdowns (155), and no one else is really close. In his senior season, he threw nine touchdowns against Rice, winning 73-34.

But he’s also just 6-foot-1. He suffered an ACL tear five games into his senior year. The NCAA’s leading passer wasn’t even drafted.

“That was as tough a time as I’ve ever gone through,” Keenum told the Pioneer Press. “You just realize that football is fickle; it’s not going to be there all the time. Just getting my priorities straight and knowing the true reason I play the game, and that’s to give glory to God. That’s something I take pride in. It’s why I do what I do.

“That’s why I became a Christian—being around Christian athletes through [the Fellowship of Christian Athletes]. I’m not playing for the name on the back of my jersey, I’m playing to glorify God. He’s given me talents, and I’m trying to maximize those talents however I can.”

The Houston Texans signed Keenum in 2012 and slapped him on the practice squad. The following year, he got a chance to start—and lost seven games in a row, all by one possession. In his eighth game, he injured his thumb (and the Texans lost again). In his third year, he became a well-traveled journeyman, moving to the Rams, then back to the Texans, then back to the Rams again, where he served as a backup to … Nick Foles.

Go back Continue Reading

Previous Post

January 18, 2018

The Girl in 'Forever My Girl' Warns Us About the Dangers of Convertibles

Next Post

January 23, 2018 Five Oscar Hits and Misses Worth Talking About

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category books celebrities Editor's Choice games movies music news sports superheroes television Uncategorized

Select a Month May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 December 2025 October 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 September 2023 March 2023 February 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 December 2021 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the correct sequence of the fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control Love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, forbearance, faithfulness, self-control, gentleness Love, peace, joy, kindness, forbearance, faithfulness, goodness, self-control, gentleness Joy, love, peace, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, forbearance, gentleness, self-control

Books by This Author Books by Paul Asay

See All Titles »