{"id":52027,"date":"2026-07-29T09:27:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T13:27:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=52027"},"modified":"2026-07-29T09:27:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T13:27:36","slug":"chicago-bears-lineman-austin-booker-celebrates-baptism-i-live-fully-for-him","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2026\/07\/chicago-bears-lineman-austin-booker-celebrates-baptism-i-live-fully-for-him.html","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bears Lineman Austin Booker Celebrates Baptism: ‘I Live Fully For Him’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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@austinbookerr \/ Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Austin Booker is publicly celebrating his faith after being baptized, declaring that he wants his life to point others to Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Booker shared photos and video from his baptism<\/a> at Gulfside City Park Beach in Sanibel, Florida, describing it as an outward expression of his commitment to following Christ.<\/p>\n

“I was recently baptized with some of my brothers in Christ as an outward declaration of the inward commitment I’ve made to follow Jesus Christ,” Booker wrote on Instagram.<\/p>\n

“I was buried with Christ, and rose into a new life with HIM. I repented of my sins, and trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross, and live fully for Him,” he continued. “With this, I desire for others to experience the joy of surrendering to the Lord.”<\/p>\n

Booker concluded his post by quoting Acts 2:38, which records Peter’s call to repentance and baptism: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”<\/p>\n

The Bears defender is one of several NFL players who have publicly professed their faith through baptism this summer.<\/p>\n

Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger also took part in a public baptism<\/a> during the annual Cleveland for Christ event. Before entering the water, Schwesinger affirmed that he believes Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again three days later and declared that he intends to follow Him for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n

The event also included Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, running back Raheim Sanders, cornerback Tyson Campbell, safety Daniel Thomas and team chaplain Nobles C. Darby, along with members of the local community, for a time of worship, prayer and fellowship.<\/p>\n

Thomas encouraged those in attendance to live out their faith boldly, reminding them that many people may never step inside a church.<\/p>\n

“It’s so important to share your testimony,” Thomas said, according to Sports Spectrum<\/a>. “A lot of people are not going to church, so you might be the only Bible that somebody ever reads. It’s important how we carry ourselves on and off the field.”<\/p>\n

As more professional athletes openly share their faith, Booker’s baptism serves as another reminder that, for many players, their greatest identity is found not in football but in their relationship with Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Austin Booker is publicly celebrating his faith after being baptized, declaring that he wants his life to point others to Jesus Christ. Booker shared photos and video from his baptism at Gulfside City Park Beach in Sanibel, Florida, describing it as an outward expression of his commitment to following Christ. “I…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":52029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-television"],"yoast_head":"\nChicago Bears Lineman Austin Booker Celebrates Baptism: 'I Live Fully For Him'<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Chicago Bears lineman Austin Booker celebrates his baptism, declaring he wants to live fully for Jesus and lead others to Christ.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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