George Foreman: A life transformed by faith and resilience

Few stories in sports capture the redemptive power of faith as poignantly as that of the recently deceased George Foreman. Known to the world as a ferocious fighter with a devastating punch, Foreman’s journey — from a childhood shadowed by poverty to becoming a two‐time heavyweight champion and later a devoted man of God — reminds us that hope can be found even in our darkest moments: an example of hope so apt for this Jubilee year.

Born into hardship in Marshall, Texas, Foreman had a childhood marked by a struggle against poverty. As a young boy, he was so conscious of his family’s destitution that he would carry an empty lunch bag to school — a silent effort to hide his hunger and the shame that accompanied it, as detailed in Chad Bird's book, Upside-Down Spirituality: The 9 Essentials of a Faithful Life.

With limited opportunities and a turbulent home life, boxing became more than a sport for him; it was an outlet for pent-up emotions and a means to redefine himself. In the ring, every blow he threw was not merely an attack on his opponent but a declaration against the circumstances that once defined him. His formidable record — 76 wins with 68 knockouts testifies to a man who, despite early struggles, channeled his anger into achieving greatness.

Yet the path was not without its setbacks. Notable defeats, such as the bitter loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, plunged him into a personal crisis. In the confines of a dressing room, Foreman confronted the raw fear of his own mortality. As he later recalled in an interview with Christian Headlines, as shared by Crosswalk, in that moment of vulnerability he cried out, “I still believe there’s a God!”

In the interview, the former champ went on to give more details of this most vulnerable moment in his career, sharing:

Foreman shared how he felt impelled to cry out, “I still believe there's a God!” He went on to explain how “a hand reached in and pulled me out of nothing and death... I started screaming, ‘Jesus Christ has come alive in me!'"

This turning point in his career ignited a transformation that went far beyond the confines of the boxing ring. It became a cornerstone of his spiritual rebirth, steering him toward a life of ministry and service.

Foreman’s conversion was a humble, deeply personal awakening. As he later shared with quiet conviction, his faith did not erase the scars of his past but helped him carry them with dignity and hope — a hope that resonated not only with the devout but with anyone who has ever struggled against despair.

Foreman’s story is one of dual triumphs. In the ring, he delivered unforgettable performances that earned him global acclaim. Outside it, his transformation led him to become a preacher, a philanthropist, and an inspiration to countless individuals -- and of course a businessman known for his grill!

His life was one of struggle, perseverance, and divine mercy. It illustrates that even the hardest punches can give way to healing and grace.

Foreman’s journey echoes familiar themes of redemption and the transformative power of God’s love. His belief that “there is hope” in every hardship invites us to see our challenges as opportunities for spiritual renewal. As we remember his life, we also celebrate a legacy that encourages us to trust in God’s providence, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

You can hear one of the world's greatest boxers explain in his own words what happened on the night he met Jesus in the video below: