Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch shared this one daily habit that he does to remain close to God.
Branch begins each day, “not [just] necessarily game day” with God. “It’s really any day,” Branch said, according to Crosswalk Headlines. “As soon as I first wake up, I got to make sure I read my devotional book — whatever the date is for that day.”
Branch grew up in a Christian household, but it wasn’t until he was a freshman at the University of Southern California that Branch found his own relationship with God.
“I’ve always been very, very faithful as a kid growing up,” he explained. “But I think I started that my freshman year in college when I was at USC. I always started off with my devotional book, and that’s stuck with me through my whole career.”
Now that he’s a rookie in the NFL, Branch uses any opportunity he can to grow closer to Christ.
“There’s a lot of guys in the locker room who have the same morals and same values, so it’s cool to be surrounded by a lot of those different guys,” he shared.
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The Falcons selected Branch with the 79th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Through four games, Branch has been mostly a special-teams contributor, with a small role on offense.
According to ESPN, Branch has had 5 catches on 6 targets for 31 yards and no touchdowns, with a longest reception of 11 yards.
When asked about how important his faith is to him, Branch declared, “Everything.”
“I don’t think I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for the things God has allowed me to do and the opportunities He’s allowed me to have as well,” he said. “I would be doing Him a disservice if I don’t take advantage of those things and the gifts He has blessed me with. I’m very, very grateful for the opportunities He has given me,” Branch said, “and the ones to come as well.”
As Branch continues to find his place in Atlanta, his faith remains the constant in a rookie season that is still taking shape. His role on offense is small for now, and most of his impact has come as a returner, but he approaches each day with the Word God on his mind and in his heart. With the Falcons at 2-2 and a matchup against the Ravens next, Branch will keep working for more opportunities on the field.
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