I’m a NFL star and Super Bowl favorite on $2 million contract – 18 months ago I had a different job as a brick salesman

The Detroit Lions are among the NFL’s top teams, yet one of the league’s greatest success stories is buried on their roster.

As the Lions’ kicker, Jake Bates’s ascent to fame is a tale for the books.

One of the NFL’s most effective kickers is Bates.

He has gone five for five from over fifty yards and 16 for 16 overall this season, and at the age of 25, he has yet to miss a field goal.

In addition, Bates has made 42 of his 43 attempts at extra points.

He began kicking in college, winning the SEC Kicker of the Year award at Arkansas in 2022.

But he chose to give football up after graduating from college without being selected.

Bates changed careers and started selling bricks in his hometown.

“Eighteen months ago, I thought I was through with football,” Bates stated.

“Back in Houston, I was a brick vendor. I believed the dream was over.

However, in 2023, Bates was given the opportunity to try out for his hometown team, the Houston Texans, proving that the dream was still alive.

Despite attending their training camp for ten days, he was ultimately cut prior to the start of the season.

After that tryout, Bates was hired by the NFL’s Michigan Panthers, where he made seven field goals from more than fifty yards in the spring.

After Lions kicker Michael Badgley sustained a season-ending injury, Bates was given the opportunity to fight against Badgley for the starting position, which he ultimately won.

“It also makes me look back and think how good the Lord has been in my life,” Bates stated.

“He has led me here and put me in such a fantastic position with this coaching staff, this front office, and these teammates by opening and closing doors for me.

“There’s no doubt that it’s similar to… I never would have imagined this.

“This moment is so cool, and I’m taking it in stride and I’m going to have fun with it.”

Bates has a sizable following among NFL and Lions supporters, who are praising him on social media.

“I adore this! One fan declared, “God Is Good.”

“So happy he’s a Detroit Lion,” remarked another admirer.

A third fan exclaimed, “Faith revives dreams!”

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