NFL's Ben Watson: 'Man Is to Be the Priest, the Provider, and the Protector of His Family'

Benjamin Watson (AP Photo)

NFL player and devout Christian Benjamin Watson has written an essay at Theincrease.com explaining how he sees his role in his family.

Watson writes:

I’ve heard my father say that the man is to be the priest, the provider, and the protector of his family. He’s the priest because he is the spiritual leader, monitoring and growing the spiritual temperature of his family. He’s the head of the house, responsible for providing for his family’s needs: food, clothes, shelter, etc. He’s the protector, protecting his family physically, emotionally, and spiritually from outside things that would be harmful or negative.

This is the goal that I set for myself as a father and husband. It’s my responsibility to encourage them to be who God is calling them to be, and to show them that their identity is in Christ alone. It’s both a great responsibility and a great privilege. Almost anyone can make a baby, but being a daddy is more important. Outside of being a husband, it’s more important than other job a man could have.

Watson, 35, plays tight end for the Baltimore Ravens. He is married to Kirsten Vaughn Watson. The couple has five children: twin daughters Grace and Naomi, sons Isaiah, and Judah, and daughter Eden.

In the article Watson also praises his father Ken, a pastor who "was present for us no matter what we were doing." 

Watson often talks about his Christian faith on his Facebook page.