“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
-1 Peter 4:10
Ever since Denver Broncos offensive guard Dalton Risner has arrived in the NFL, it has been his goal to use his platform for a bigger purpose. As he has become one of the best offensive lineman in the sport, it is his work away from the field that has left the biggest impact. Since starting the RisnerUp Foundation, speaking at events and engagements, taking hospital visits, and spending each day trying to serve others, Risner’s heart extends far beyond the field. His heart for service comes from his faith and his goal to use his gifts to be a light to anyone watching.
Growing up, faith was always an important part of life for Dalton. His parents made sure that was the case, but Dalton says he has seen his faith grow insurmountably over the years.
“Throughout my journey of high school and growing up, I did all those things. I went to Sunday school, I went to church, I went to a youth group. I memorized Bible verses. I got baptized. I told everyone I love Jesus and I believed in Jesus, but I don’t think I really knew who Jesus was.”
Morgan, a fifth year senior at the time, lived in the dorms with the freshmen in order to help be an influence for them. Having a role model like Morgan was crucial in Dalton’s development into who he is today. Dalton says Morgan helped him approach the difficult questions and think about who he really wanted Dalton Risner to be.
“I learned from Morgan that I want to get to know Jesus every day. I want to have a relationship with Jesus and I started growing a lot as a man. Everyone fails. Everyone has things they do wrong, but throughout college, I really found out who Dalton Risner was.”
Dalton says he learned how his identity lies far beyond the game of football.
“I thought football was all I was defined by. And I get to the stage of life where I’m in now on my way to the NFL, and I find that a true identity of mine is with Jesus Christ, as a follower of Jesus. I’m a son of God.”
After Dalton wrapped up a spectacular career at Kansas State, where he started 50 of 51 games, he was drafted in the second round of the 2019 draft by the Denver Broncos. Since joining Denver and becoming one of the most reliable weapons for the team, Dalton says he has continued to learn where to place his identity.
Dalton also says that being in Denver and surrounded by other believers on the team like Justin Simmons, Malik Reed, Courtland Sutton, and PJ Locke have helped him grow in his identity and continue to strive to make an impact on all those around him.
“There’s so many teammates on my team that are great men of God that I love to look up to. To have people like that, especially some of the best in the NFL, still give back to Jesus and sacrifice their time for Jesus and make Jesus a priority every day in life is really special.”
Dalton also started the RisnerUp foundation, where he hopes to spread love and kindness in an effort to change the world. He says that while his foundation has a focus on faith, he just hopes to use it to spread kindness to everyone, regardless of what they believe.
“You don’t turn away from people that don’t believe in Jesus. So that’s why it’s not the foundation’s main goal. Of course, we want to talk about Jesus and spread the word of God, but most importantly, I want to be kind to people. I want to show people, you can be in the spotlight. You can make money in the NFL and have the thing of the NFL, and you can still be a good person and you can still give back to people.”
As Dalton and the Broncos look to continue their 2021 season with their eyes set on a playoff run, Dalton knows that his identity comes from far more than the game. Dalton and his fiance, Whitney, who helps run RisnerUp with him, hope that they can both spread love and kindness through all that they do to touch the lives of all those around them. Dalton says that one day he knows his career will be over, and no one will remember his stat sheet. But what people will remember is the impact he has and the lives he changes, with Christ at his center. Dalton hopes to do just that.
