When Matthew Golden heard his name called at the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, it marked more than just a career milestone—it was a moment of divine affirmation. As the newest wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, Golden didn’t hesitate to point to the One, who he says guided every step of his journey.

“Just the way it happened, I feel like God made it happen like that for a reason,” Golden said, reflecting on the emotional moment he stepped out of the green room and onto the draft stage to a roar of hometown cheers. “That’s something that’s going to stick with me forever.”

For Golden, a Houston native and lifelong believer, faith has been his anchor—especially in the face of adversity. Raised in the church, he first started playing drums at six years old, a skill that grew alongside his relationship with God.

“I grew up in the church house,” he told Fox News Digital. “There were times adversity hit me, and God was the one who was there for me. There were times people doubted me, and I did want to give up sometimes. But going back to God—He definitely helped me get here.”

One of those difficult times came in 2023, during his college career at the University of Houston. After a promising season start, Golden suffered a foot injury that forced him to sit out the remainder of the year. The loss of football for the first time in his life shook him, but it also became a spiritual turning point.

“That was the first time football got taken away from me,” Golden said. “I didn’t know how to cope with it, and I was frustrated. But at that time, my relationship with God grew a lot stronger, and I started to understand it happened for a reason.”

That renewed trust in God’s plan led Golden to transfer to the University of Texas, where he posted a breakout season in 2024: 58 receptions, 987 yards, and nine touchdowns in 16 games—helping the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff.

His performance and blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine caught the attention of scouts and executives alike. When the Packers called his name, it marked a historic moment: Golden became the first wide receiver selected by Green Bay in the first round since 2002.

“Now, looking back, it definitely makes sense,” Golden said. “God put me through everything I went through in my life for a reason. I feel like that’s truly what made me who I am today.”

As he steps into the spotlight of the NFL, Golden remains grounded in the faith and family values that brought him this far. He’s not just playing to win games—he’s playing to glorify the One who carried him through injury, doubt, and waiting.

“He definitely helped me get here,” Golden said—and now, he’s ready to give it all back on the field.