Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield may be known for his grit and comeback spirit on the field, but his most powerful transformation happened off the field — in his heart.

The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft recently opened up on The Sports Spectrum Podcast, revealing that it took hitting “rock bottom” before he truly embraced the grace and purpose found in Jesus Christ.

“I was trying to make things happen on my own,” the 29-year-old admitted. Growing up, Mayfield said he attended church only on holidays and believed Christianity was mostly about “doing good deeds” and being a good person. But his faith journey took a turn while he was playing college football at Oklahoma. There, he met Pastor Adam Starling, who helped him understand that perfection wasn’t required to be loved by God — because Jesus had already paid the price.

Even so, it wasn’t until a few years later, after being drafted and navigating the highs and lows of NFL life, that Mayfield said he truly encountered Christ. In 2020, he and his wife Emily joined a ministry called Professional Athletes Outreach, and he found what he’d been missing.

“There was a lot of emptiness that I had,” Mayfield said. “I thought I could fulfill it in other ways and did not. My identity at the time was a football player… It was a quarterback. God taught me a lesson.”

That “lesson” came in the form of professional setbacks and personal struggles. Mayfield was traded from the Browns, benched, and spent time bouncing between teams before landing in Tampa Bay. But it wasn’t just football — his marriage faced its own trials, including struggles with infertility.

“We weren’t doing well at all,” he said. “For me to climb back up, I had to dive into the Word and accept the grace.”

That grace, he said, changed everything. “When I eventually did, I started to see things from a different viewpoint, and that was the biggest change in my life.”

Now a two-time Pro Bowler who has revived his career with the Bucs, Mayfield sees his platform differently. “It’s not about the stats or anything on the field,” he said. “It’s about how I carry myself, how I inspire others and try to bring people together… and create a culture that allows you to be yourself — the best version of that, whatever that looks like.”

He also praised God’s work in his marriage, saying he’s “fallen more in love” with Emily after seeing her steadfast faith during their toughest seasons. “God had her back the whole time,” he said. “I’ve seen how strong she’s been for me in times when I wasn’t able to be strong.”

Now, Mayfield hopes to use his story to lead the next generation of athletes. “The only thing that made me feel whole,” he said, “was faith in Jesus.”

And his message to others? “God’s timing is perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just keep seeking Him.”