NFL Star Ben Watson: We Must Teach 'Life Begins at Conception'
Christian NFL player Benjamin Watson says that despite the United States' acceptance of legalized abortion on-demand, the Church must continue teaching that "life begins at conception" and is urging Christians to "stand for what's right."
In an interview earlier this month with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Decision magazine, the 36-year-old Baltimore Ravens tight end did not shy away from discussing hotly contested political issues such as racial problems in the U.S., the 2016 election, and abortion.
"We need to understand reasons why people are having abortions. Many are in difficult economic or family situations," the former Georgia Bulldog and 13-year NFL veteran explained when asked what the Church must do to protect the lives of the unborn in a society that has embraced the abortion agenda.
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"Then obviously, there is the aspect of what is life — how do we define it?" Watson asked. "Whether or not Roe v. Wade will ever be overturned, we have to continue teaching that life begins at conception."
Watson, who is the father of five children and author of a new book to be released in May that offers advice for new fathers, is a frequent commenter on current events and social issues and has not been afraid to let his pro-life views be known.
"I'm encouraged to see more conversations about life and more films coming out that expose the truth about abortion," Watson continued. "Those who support abortion try to normalize it and magnify it, make it out to be the best option. But now, we have media outlets saying there are other ways besides abortion."
Although pro-life leaders have claimed that Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 election is an indication that the Left's pro-abortion agenda has been rejected by the American public, Watson doesn't believe that the election has changed people's minds on the issue.
"Either way, I don't think an election will change how people feel about abortion," he continued. "It's something that comes from people's hearts — if hearts are changed, then people can more fully understand the value of life."
Watson also warned Christians against being disillusioned by the status of today's society.
"God has gifted us with the local and the global Church," Watson asserted. "One great thing about social media is that there are millions of believers around the world — not just in America — who will show up and support Christians. I've seen it through the outpouring I've received when I've written something on Facebook. God has His people. He always will. And He's coming back. Until that point, we are to live lives worthy of the Gospel — wherever we are and regardless of our circumstances."
Earlier this year, Watson issued some widely published comments about Planned Parenthood and what he believes is the reason behind why Margaret Sanger founded the organization that is today Planned Parenthood.
As an African-American professional sports athlete, Watson was not afraid to suggest that Planned Parenthood was created to "exterminate blacks."
"I do know that blacks kind of represent a large portion of the abortions, and I do know that honestly the whole idea with Planned Parenthood and Sanger in the past was to exterminate blacks, and it's kind of ironic that it's working," Watson said in an interview with the San Diego-based Turning Point Pregnancy Resource Center. "We [as minorities] support candidates, and overwhelmingly support the idea of having Planned Parenthood and the like, and yet, that is why she created it."
Although numerous other African-American sports figures like LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Steph Curry publicly backed the Planned Parenthood-endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Watson announced after the election that he did not vote for either Clinton or Trump.
In a Facebook post he explained that he couldn't bring himself "to vote for the platform and policies of one, or the crass arrogance of the other."
Watson suggested in his interview with the pregnancy center that abortion is pushed excessively on minority teens facing crisis pregnancies.
"We are buying it hook, line, and sinker, like it's a great thing. It's just amazing to me and abortion saddens me, period. But it seems to be something that is really pushed on minorities and provided to minorities especially as something that they should do," Watson explained. "In the public, it seems to be painted that when minorities get pregnant they need to get abortions, especially when it comes to teen pregnancy."
"It's like when black girls are pregnant, it's like a statistic, but when white girls get pregnant, they get a TV show," he continued.
