Short Summary: After a near-death experience in 1977, George Foreman transformed his life, becoming a minister and later returning to boxing to win his second heavyweight title at age 45, driven by his encounter with Jesus.
Details
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Year: 1977
Prayer: O God, Grant me the grace to understand that it is me that you desire, not my skills or accomplishments. Allow me to offer You the prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of my life, and dedicate myself to your plan. Align my will to yours. Help me to reflect on the words of George Foreman, “It doesn't matter what you achieve, what you accomplish in this life. The most important thing is to keep your eye on the true prize, and that's serving God." Amen.
Verse: But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” -Mt 28:5-10
Full Story
George Foreman, after a troubled childhood, rose to fame as a boxer, winning a gold medal in the 1968 Olympics and becoming the world heavyweight champion in 1973. However, his life took a dramatic turn in 1977 following a near-death experience in the locker room after a fight. Foreman described the event: "I was snatched out of my body, and I could see people as far as the eye could see caught in a trap, and I knew this place was hell. The most sad thoughts that you can even come to mind—multiply it. I was in a dump yard of nothing and sorrowfulness… I remember thinking there was no hope for me—like someone had dropped me out in a sea. There was no land." In desperation, Foreman cried out that he believed in God. He then experienced what he called divine intervention: "a hand reached in and pulled me out of nothing and death." He reacted with a heartfelt offer to give all his money to his savior, but God responded, “I don’t want your money. I want you.” Suddenly, Foreman awoke in the locker room, screaming, “Jesus is alive!” He described feeling reborn, as if Jesus' blood had cleansed him of all his sins. Surprisingly, after extensive testing, doctors could find nothing wrong with him physically. However, Foreman was unable—either physically or psychologically—to close his hand into a fist, which led him to retire from boxing. Foreman’s life was transformed. He began studying scripture and became a Christian minister in Texas, dedicating himself to preaching and sharing his newfound faith. He also opened a youth center to serve his local community, focusing on charity and outreach. Ten years later, when his ministry ran out of funds, Foreman decided to return to boxing—not for personal gain, but “for God.” Despite being out of shape and considered too old for the sport, he defied the odds. In 1994, at the age of 45, he won his second heavyweight title, becoming the oldest boxer to ever hold the title. Today, George Foreman continues to serve his church and community. Reflecting on his near-death experience, he says, “The experience impacted me so profoundly that three decades later I can’t go a single day without thinking about it.”
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