HOUSTON — They work at a job where millions of people watch them. They are cheered, admired, lauded and pampered. People recognize them, hound them for autographs and care what they have to say.

Welcome to life in the NFL — or in any professional sport, for that matter — where the very nature of the job can easily lend itself to pride or arrogance for those who aren’t careful.

For Christian athletes, pride can be a serious temptation and a nemesis that has to be fought.

Daniel Gray, an assistant chaplain for the Atlanta Falcons and young adult pastor at The Church at Chapelhill in Atlanta, said pride is one of the biggest struggles for the players to whom he ministers. Gray said it’s easy to forget that the bulk of NFL players are only young men in their 20s.

“They have the same issues as anybody else in their season of life,” Gray said. “The only difference is, they have a lot more money.”

With the accolades and attention that NFL players get, Gray said it’s important for Christian athletes to humble themselves.

“It’s like they’re the focus of the entire world,” he said. “But then they go home, and they’re a dad, and they’re a husband, and they have a family.”

Some players point to their families as a major weapon in the fight against pride.

“I think it is something that we all deal with,” said Jacob Tamme, tight end for Atlanta. “I’m pretty blessed to have a family that keeps me grounded. I’ve never seen myself as some kind of important person in that way. I grew up in a small town in Kentucky, and I still feel like that kid. I can’t believe that I’ve been able to do this for nine years.”

For others, pride isn’t as big of an issue, because they’re not in the spotlight as much as their teammates. Take Josh Harris, the Falcons’ long snapper, for example. His job is mostly an anonymous one, with people only noticing him when he messes up.

Still, even in such a role, pride can be a temptation, and Harris said it’s important for him not to worry about what other people think or how they perceive him.

As a Christian, Harris said, “You’re loved from the beginning, and there’s nothing you can do that’s going to change that. I find a lot of peace and a lot of comfort in reminding myself of that and in knowing that.”

New England wide receiver and special teams player Matthew Slater said he tries to remind himself who he is at his core.

“I’m really nothing without Christ,” said Slater. “As soon as I start believing in what I’ve accomplished on the field or believing what people say about me as a person, that’s the minute that pride can well up in you and become an issue.

“I know I’m a sinner and that I need God’s grace every day,” he continued. “I think it’s important for me to remind myself of that every morning when I wake up.” (BP)