Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Bama Player Says Speaking In Tongues Helped Him Win the Game - SHAWN A. AKERS CHARISMA NEWS

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Bama Player Says Speaking In Tongues Helped Him Win the Game

1/9/2018 SHAWN A. AKERS CHARISMA NEWS

Minutes after throwing the game-winning touchdown pass in Monday night's College Football Playoff National Championship game in Atlanta, Alabama Tua Tagovailoa wasn't hesitant to give God the credit.

"I was praying," Tagovailoa says. "I was speaking in tongues. It kept me calm."

He continued: "I would say my poise comes from my faith. I just pray for peace."

Not an uncommon occurrence for some athletes, but Tagovailoa's thankful words especially caught the attention of Evangelist Franklin Graham, who praised the 18-year-old freshman for his boldness on ESPN's national telecast. ESPN isn't exactly kingdom friendly, with a host of liberal broadcasters on its roster.

"In case you missed it, freshman Alabama Football quarterback Tua Tagovailoa used his moment in the spotlight to testify to the glory of God and His Son Jesus Christ after last night's #NationalChampionship game," Graham posted on Facebook Tuesday morning. "He told the world, 'First and foremost, I'd like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ ... All glory goes to God. I can't describe what He has done for me and my family. Who would've ever thought I would have been here at this moment.'

"It's great to see a young athlete like this use his platform to acknowledge what God has done in his life in front of millions of people. That's a win-win. Tremendous job Tua!"

Tagovailoa, a backup quarterback behind sophomore Jalen Hurts, took over for a struggling Hurts at the beginning of the second half with Alabama trailing Georgia 13-0. Tagovailoa completed 14 of 24 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the second half, including the game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime to another freshman, DeVonta Smith.

During his first post-game interview—in which there were many—Tagovailoa thanked God three times. His boldness for Christ blew up Tagovailoa's Twitter page, including tweets these from many admiring fans:

"And He gives God glory—more than once in the same interview. Love it!!!! Erica Fields @ohsohappy74
"That's what I'm talking about Tua. Give God all the praise." Kris Story @kstorey40
"No Bama Fan but now a #Tua Fan! Thanks Jesus First...Then his mates...Then Gives ALL the Glory to GOD! Michale Stavrinakis @MichaelStavsSC
Tua putting God first. Love it! Josh Woods @_WOODSY_J

Tagovailoa's Twitter bio contains these words: "1 Corinthians 2:9 • HIM 13EFORE ME"

1 Corinthians 2:9 says: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Tagovailoa's return next season has made Alabama the early odds-on favorite to win the 2018 national championship.

Shawn A. Akers is a content development editor for Charisma Media. {eoa]

'God, Thank You': Alabama Tide Wins College Championship, Led by Faith-Filled Freshman QB Tua Tagovailoa - CBN News Benjamin Gill

'God, Thank You': Alabama Tide Wins College Championship, Led by Faith-Filled Freshman QB Tua Tagovailoa

01-09-2018

CBN News Benjamin Gill

Alabama's Crimson Tide has won the national college football championship, led to victory by a young man who says everything in life is centered around God, even football.

Freshman Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led the Tide in a second-half comeback against the Georgia Bulldogs, throwing an amazing 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime for the 26-23 win.

Going into the second half, Georgia was leading 13-0. That's when Alabama replaced its quarterback, putting Tagovailoa in the game. And that's when their rally began.

The left-handed QB threw two touchdown passes to put Alabama back into the game.

Then the game went into overtime, and Georgia took the lead with a remarkable 51-yard field goal.

Right after that, Georgia sacked Tagovailoa for a 16-yard loss. But he shook it off, and on the next play he connected with freshman wide receiver DeVonta Smith in the end zone to win the championship, giving the Crimson Tide its fifth national championship under Coach Nick Saban.

After the game Tagovailoa offered a simple tweet giving glory to God, saying, "God, thank you."

He also retweeted several images from the game of him pointing to heaven.

And his Twitter bio says it all: "1 Corinthians 2:9 • HIM 13EFORE ME"

That Bible verse from Corinthians says: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Tagovailoa told SB Nation Recruiting last year that his decision to play for Alabama was solely based on the team's focus on God.

"First and foremost it was their belief in God. Their belief in God was one of the biggest things that kind of struck me, and that kind of lines up with everything in my life," he said.

Meanwhile, on the Georgia Bulldogs' side, a gracious note came after the game from quarterback Jake Fromm who has also lived his Christian faith in public:

"God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. So thankful for an incredible season with these seniors who have given so much to this university. They've set the standard for UGA football and we will be back. Love my teammates and Go Dawgs!"