NFL QB Justin Fields Wants to Be a Missionary and ‘Help People Find Christ’

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An NFL quarterback and former first-round pick says his future after football may not be on the golf course or in the broadcasting booth – as it is for many former players – but on the mission field.

Justin Fields was the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick in 2021 and has experienced an up-and-down career across five seasons with three teams, including his current club, the New York Jets. It’s unclear where Fields will play in 2026, but he says he already knows the direction he hopes his life will take once his football career ends.

“I've been thinking about this a lot, and people ask me this question a lot. I think I want to be a missionary,” Fields told The Walk podcast in comments that were covered by Relevant and others.

The 27-year-old Fields is one of the NFL’s most outspoken Christians.

“I think I want to go to different countries – go to different places, and be able to spread His word and just help people find Christ – and help people just get that relationship started with Him,” he said. “I've actually been talking to a few friends, and I'm going to try to go somewhere – whether it's somewhere in Africa or just somewhere where people haven't necessarily gotten the opportunity to build that relationship – or even get that relationship started. So I think that's what I'm going to pursue.”

Fields added that whatever his future holds, it will involve helping others.

“I love just helping people out. I love just being a servant to others – being able to bless others. So I think I'm gonna get into a field [like] that. I'm just not sure what exactly it's gonna be, but somewhere in that field, whether it's helping young kids, but I definitely want to do a mission trip – do multiple mission trips in my life and just help bring people closer to Christ.”

Missions is something that has “been on my heart,” he said.

“So I think I'm gonna make my first mission trip this offseason,” he said.

Fields often discusses his faith after both wins and losses.

“There's nothing that can faze me, and that's just due to my relationship with the Lord,” he said last season after a close home loss.

“I've always asked God to give me an opportunity and a platform to spread His Word. And sometimes it doesn't play out the way you always plan it,” Fields added in comments last fall. “I think the position I'm in right now is a great opportunity to spread that message and really kind of get the world to know how I feel about Him and how great He is.”

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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.