“When I met him, he was clearly lost,” Winsley says, “but he was very open, and he wanted the truth.” Winsley, who left a national sales management position at a fashion company to become a pastor, noted the unique challenge of professional athletes. “Money gives you the opportunity to express yourself,” he says. “So some (athletes) crash and burn quickly. When I met him, he had failed, and he knew he failed, and he just wanted the truth, so he was a sponge.” Winsley provided Justice with a book on world religions, including the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “He was in a cult,” Winsley says. “Then I showed him the difference between Christianity and Jesus Christ. He walked himself out, by just wanting what was truth.” Justice says none of this happened overnight. “It was gradual,” he says. “You hear about one day it all changes. “But each year, I grow closer to Christ.” Still, Justice says temptation is always right around the corner. He married that young woman, whose name is Dania, and they have a son (Selah) and a daughter (Calais). “Some people say it should be easy, but it’s a constant battle,” he says. “I think the enemy is always out to get you. I always try to keep myself in the Word, to keep it fresh in my mind.” He talks to children as much as possible about setting goals and valuing teamwork. During the offseason, he also helped rebuild an orphanage through the Mission of Hope in Haiti. “I’ve been to third world countries before,” Justice says. “But, this one had a disaster. In Uganda, they don’t know how poor they are. It’s just their reality. In Haiti, they know they’re poor.” One year, Justice raised money to build homes in Haiti. “You can build a house for $6,000, for five people,” he says. Winsley is proud of Justice. The Broncos’ 29-year-old offensive tackle who was signed in September after playing with Philadelphia (2006-2011) and Indianapolis (2012), committed himself to Christ during a Bible study session, and he’s hungry to learn more and more. After each meeting, Justice and Winsley would meet privately for at least another 20 minutes, with the player asking the pastor specific questions about the lesson and life. “He brought a couple of players to the Bible study, because of his witness,” says Winsley of Justice. Winsley added that Justice understands something that many other athletes do not. “Football isn’t a purpose, it’s a platform,” Winsley says. “A purpose doesn’t end. Football has a season. “If (players) don’t prepare for it, they think their life is going to end. That’s why it’s important these young men are grounded by a relationship with God.” Justice doesn’t separate football and religion anymore. “I work to glorify God,” Justice says. “I really felt that God put that in my heart. I think my goal is to be a great offensive tackle. But, my major goal is to glorify God. I want people to see Christ in me, when I play. Not being fearful, to giving his all on every play.”
“I think the enemy is always out to get you. I always try to keep myself in the Word, to keep it fresh in my mind.”
Sean Jensen has been a beat writer and columnist who covered the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings for the Chicago Sun-Times and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He is currently the editor of Thrive Sports. 42
SPORTS SPECTRUM ~ DIGIMAG 2014
Hyoung Chang / The Denver Post