Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson
Drafted by the New England Patriots in 2004, Benjamin is back as a tight end for the Patriots in 2019 after briefly retiring. He is also the author of the racial reconciliation book, “Under Our Skin,” as well as “The New Dad’s Playbook.”
Five Increase Questions
What effect does your faith have on your lifestyle?
My faith in Christ allows me to live in freedom to experience what God has done for me. I used to be so afraid to make mistakes. When I realized that God’s grace is bigger than my failures, everything changed. We don’t earn the right to be called God’s children. We didn’t earn the right to be redeemed. We didn’t earn any of that stuff, but Christ earned it for us. I live in that faith.
Describe how your Journey with Christ began.
My dad was a pastor and so I was raised in a Christian home. I grew up wanting to be two things: a football player and a missionary.
Who have been the mentors in your life? How did God bring these people into your life?
My father has always been a role model for me. As a pastor, everybody looks up to him. I have always gone to him for guidance. Though he makes mistakes, just like everyone else, he’s a great father figure and representation of Christ to me.
What does the Increase of Christ mean to you?
First of all, the Increase of Christ needs to be on a personal level—there’s not an outward or inward Increase. Sometimes we like to project something that’s not true on the inside; if we went on in our daily lives living with a general trust in Jesus Christ without proclaiming, it we would be wrong. We’ve been called to proclaim this good news! The Increase to me means Integrity. To live a life of integrity means growing as a believer and dying to self on a daily basis. As I am growing closer and closer to Him and He’s becoming more important to me, I’m sharing that with others. There needs to be a direct correlation with what you believe and how you live that out.
What is your life verse and why?
I don’t really have one verse that is “my life verse,” but Colossians 3:23 has been a verse that has really been impactful for me throughout my life. For me, I find it important to keep God’s Word before me and to understand what He is teaching me in the moment. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” -Colossians 3:23
What's in a Name? - Benjamin Watson
When I found out about my upcoming suspension, I questioned whether I should even play...
READ MOREConfirmation to Keep Playing - Benjamin Watson
When last season was over, I was done. Trying to move on from the game...
READ MOREDealing with Transition - Benjamin Watson
In this season of transition, God is teaching me, or forcing me, to be OK...
READ MOREWhat I Hope... — Benjamin Watson
It’s one thing to lose, it’s another thing to go out on a note like...
READ MOREFive Increase Questions with Benjamin Watson
We were able to talk with New Orleans' tight end Benjamin Watson, about how he...
READ MOREGrafted Into the Family - Benjamin Watson
“Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were not able to...
READ MOREA Sense of Urgency - Benjamin Watson
Honestly, I didn’t see this coming. I didn’t expect to be back in New Orleans...
READ MOREWhere God Has Me - Benjamin Watson
We know it’s the Holy Spirit who draws people to Himself, but as believers, we...
READ MOREFallen Yet Loved - Benjamin Watson
Recently I brought my oldest two daughters to Montgomery and Selma Ala., on a civil...
READ MORESpeak Truth in Love - Benjamin Watson
Many times we refer to “The Lord’s Prayer” as the passage from Matthew 6:9-13, but...
READ MOREWhat's Next? - Benjamin Watson
Coming back is never easy. Entering back into the league this year after coming off...
READ MOREThe Chance to Change Generations - Benjamin Watson
Back in May my newest book came out. The New Dad’s Playbook: Gearing Up for...
READ MOREOur Hope for Football Sunday - Benjamin Watson
Kirsten and I are honored to be a part of this year’s Football Sunday. It’s...
READ MORELooking Back to Look Forward
Being a Father Being a father means being imperfect, yet striving to be a...
READ MOREPriest, Provider, Protector - Benjamin Watson
I’ve heard my father say that the man is to be the priest, the provider,...
READ MORELearning to Have Grace - Benjamin Watson
Everything is new again. It’s definitely a learning curve to enter into a new locker...
READ MOREHer Family Before Herself
I remember the beginning of my second year at the University of Georgia; I was...
READ MOREShedding Godly Light
Benjamin Watson is a regular contributor to The Increase and will be providing monthly articles...
READ MORE