NFL Record-Breaker Cam Little Says He Kicks ‘to Glorify God and to Spread the Gospel’
Michael Foust
Audio By Carbonatix
By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com
The Jacksonville placekicker whose booming kick set a new NFL record Sunday says faith in Christ has changed his perspective on success, both on and off the field. Cam Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars set a record for the longest kick in league history when his 68-yard field goal at the end of the first half sailed over the crossbar with several feet to spare, breaking the old record of 66 yards (Justin Tucker) and further cementing him as the NFL’s long-distance king. Little also drilled a 70-yarder in the preseason that wowed observers but didn’t count in the record books due to its exhibition status.
“I don't doubt that someone will probably break that record at some point,” Little said after the game, noting the rising frequency of long kicks across the league.
Although his 68-yard field drew the most attention, it was his 48-yarder at the end of regulation that forced overtime and helped the visiting Jaguars defeat Las Vegas, 30-29. The Jaguars selected Little in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Arkansas and watched him thrive, hitting 93.1 percent of his kicks as a rookie to finish sixth in the league for accuracy. Despite a drop in accuracy this year (76.5 percent), his perfect 3-for-3 outing Sunday may mark a turning point.
Little told the Identity Sports podcast during the offseason that faith has been key to his success. Prior to his first two years in Arkansas, he said, he had “always found success in my life through football.”
“I was a believer, but I think I really didn't grasp how much my faith and my relationship with Jesus is more than football,” he said. “... [Then] I figured out that regardless of how well I do on a football field -- regardless of how bad I do on the football field -- Jesus is going to love me the same, and my will for my life has already been decided prior to whatever kick I have to hit.
“When that clicked in my head, and I really started to believe that and pray about that, is when I really started to find a lot more success, not only in life, but on the football field.”
Little holds the career field goal percentage record at Arkansas (82.8 percent). When an athlete realizes he is loved by God no matter his or her performance, Little said, it takes “this giant pressure off your shoulders to just perform even better.”
“Once you realize that, it really kind of changed the way that I started to play the game,” he said. “I started playing with a lot less stress. I started not thinking about my kicks as much, because I already knew whatever happened, it was already decided. … Whether I make every kick, whether I miss every kick, let me do it for the glory of You, God.”
Little believes he was born with the talent to kick a football in order to point others to Christ.
“I was put in this position,” he said, “to glorify God and to spread the gospel and show everyone how good God is.”
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images /Chris Unger / Stringer
Related Articles:
5 World Series Champion Dodgers Who Publicly Follow Jesus
NFL Quarterbacks Justin Fields and CJ Stroud Praise Jesus for Guiding Them through Trials
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.
