Life as an NFL Wife and Finding Purpose Beyond the Playing Field
By Eileen Noyes
This week on The Undsidelined Life, I had the opportunity to talk with Emily Nelson, spouse of former Green Bay Packers star Jordy Nelson. In this blog post, we'll look into Emily's experiences and insights from her time in the NFL, and how she navigated the challenges of maintaining her identity and values in a world of glitz and glamor.
Join us as we explore how Emily has maintained her feminine identity, supported her spouse, and discovered her calling as a matriarch in God's plan. Her story offers valuable insights for women seeking to balance their personal growth with their role as a supportive partner, all while staying true to their values and faith.
Maintaining Feminine Identity in the NFL Spotlight
For many NFL wives, the pressure to conform to a certain image can be overwhelming. Emily Nelson has chosen to take a different approach, choosing to look for ways to improve herself and her values throughout her husband's career.
Emily values simplicity. Despite the glamorous world of professional football, she never felt the need to keep up with the latest fashion trends or indulge in luxury brands. This authenticity extended beyond just her appearance. Emily found ways to balance her role as an NFL wife with her own interests and values. She participated in some team events and she also understands her comfort zone.
Supporting Your Spouse: A Team Effort On and Off the Field
Emily's relationship with her husband serves as an example of the power of a strong foundation in marriage, especially when faced with the unique challenges of an NFL career.
Having known each other since childhood and been together since high school they had a solid relationship before entering the NFL world. This foundation proved a quality base as they navigated the ups and downs of professional football. Unlike many couples who struggle with sudden fame and fortune, Emily and her husband's shared background and values kept them grounded.
One of the key aspects of their successful partnership was their ability to support each other's dreams while maintaining their individual identities. While Emily was husband’s biggest cheerleader on the field, she also found ways to pursue her own interests and passions off the field. This balance allowed them to grow together rather than one partner's career overshadowing the other's personal growth.
What it means to be a Matriarch
Emily began to contemplate her own purpose and calling as her husband’s career progressed. She realized that being an NFL wife was just one part of who she was, and she came to an understanding that God wants her to make the most of who she is.
Emily's journey to expanding her purpose led her to explore new things. She found activities and opportunities to put good into the world and ways she could grow. She proactively chose to expand her horizons and embrace experiences that help her develop her skills and talents. Taking on leadership roles in her church, Emily found ways to use her platform and experiences to make a difference in the lives of others.
She also found fulfillment in being a mother, advocate for her family, and partner to her husband. Being a Matriarch means embracing what it means to be a woman of God and a mother to your children and a partner to your spouse.
Transitioning from NFL Life to Small-Town Living
One of the most significant challenges Emily faced was the transition from NFL life back to regular living in Kansas after her husban’'s retirement. This shift required adaptability and a willingness to redefine their roles and relationships within the community.
Returning to their hometown wasn't as smooth as Emily had anticipated. Despite growing up there, they found that things had changed, and they had to rebuild connections and find their place in the community once again. The COVID-19 pandemic added an extra layer of difficulty to this transition, making it harder to integrate and form new relationships.
Emily focused on finding ways to contribute to her community, particularly through her work with foster care and adoption causes. This sense of purpose helped ease the transition and allowed her and her husband to create a fulfilling life they love beyond the NFL.
Your Feminine Identity
Consider how you can apply these principles to your own life. How can you stay true to your values while supporting your partner? What passions or causes resonate with you that you could pursue? Remember, your identity is not defined by your partner's career or social status, but by the unique gifts and purpose God has given you. And you can both come closer through God as you embrace the divine role He has given you in your life.
Emily Nelson'sexperiences show us that it's possible to maintain your identity, support your spouse, and find your own calling, all while staying true to who you are. By embracing your authentic self and seeking opportunities to make a difference, you can create a life of purpose and fulfillment, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes.
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Looking for more from Emily? Check out this video with her and her husband Jordy:
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