God Always Circles Back.
“It’s bigger than a brand. It’s bigger than a way of thinking. It’s a way of life, and a way of inspiring,” NFL wide receiver and kick returner Diontae Spencer unveils platform, designed to inspire a mindset of perseverance, growth, and authenticity.
“I wanted to start something that was unique. Something that not only connects with myself and my story, but something that can inspire and motivate others.”
The groundwork of this platform began in 2019 when Spencer was playing with the Denver Broncos- “I would always say, ‘God Always Circles Back’ in meetings, practices and games when my teammates and I would be facing adversity. It was a reminder to us to stay focused and face the challenges head on.”
Connecting deeply with Spencer’s journey, the phrase “God Always Circles Back” became a personal mantra– rooted in his own experiences of overcoming adversity. He states, “my story is a testament to my faith and perseverance. Coming out of a small school and having success but continuously being overlooked. Basically it was a mentality, ‘the harder I worked, the more chances that God can circle back in my life. Solely focused on the intention behind the work, my goals and aspirations.”
His unconventional journey to the NFL began in his hometown, New Iberia, Louisiana. He went to Westgate High School in New Iberia, where, despite his success with the Tigers, earning all-state honors in football and all-district in football, baseball and basketball, he was overlooked when it came to getting offers to play football collegiately. Spencer ended up staying close to home, and played for McNeese State University, a FCS, D1AA school just over an hour and a half from home.
At McNeese State, he saw success all over the football field, eventually becoming a Cowboys Hall of Famer, Spencer displayed speed as a dynamic returner, while also showcasing his versatile skill set on offense. He finished his tenure with the Cowboys gaining 3,315 all-purpose yards, in addition to 20 touchdowns accounted for. He scored 5 touchdowns in one game against Stephen F. Austin his senior year, scoring 3 returns and 2 receiving, garnering 4 College Football Performance Awards in the same week, the only player in history to do so. He capped off his career at McNeese State by running a 4.29 40 yard dash at his pro day, and played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, evidently opening the eyes of NFL scouts.
Despite going un-drafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, Spencer earned himself an invite to the Chicago Bears rookie minicamp.
The Bears didn’t extend their invite to Diontae Spencer for their OTAs and training camp, which led him to being signed by the, at the time, St. Louis Rams where he spent time during the off-season around marquee playmakers Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey and Kenny Britt prior to being released and becoming a free agent once again.
Although he hadn’t made an NFL roster his first year out of college, Spencer stayed focused and determined toward his goal of playing in the NFL. “These opportunities were examples of where my hard work could take me,” he said, “I got a glimpse of it, and I think that just propelled me to keep going and keep pushing.”
His next opportunity came in Canada with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.
It was different, and it was a grind.
Being placed on the Argonauts practice squad to begin the 2015 CFL season after training camp and pre-season, Spencer knew he had to outwork others in the same position as himself, and would not let any opportunity slip out of his reach. “I was in the basement. On the practice squad in the CFL, but I just feel like God was there, he kept his hand on me, and was watching over me, allowing me to be successful and let me see that the work that I’m putting in will be on display.”
That work was put on display late into the 2015 season, after receivers, Chad Owens and Andre Durie were sidelined by injuries, it was time for Spencer to shine- and he did.
Among the 10 games he played in 2015, he started 7 and instantly made an impact on the Argonauts offensive and special teams attacks, catching 36 passes for 502 yards and 3 scores, gaining a combined 1,146 all-purpose yards as the team’s primary kick returner in the second half of the season.
Despite battling injuries in a season where he thought would have been his “breakout year, and maybe my chance back in the league (NFL),” in the 2016 season, with a year already under his belt in the CFL, he stepped into a larger role as a receiver, catching 71 passes for 706 yards and 3 touchdowns, in addition to 37 yards on the ground and 341 in the return game, combining for another 1,000 yard season all-purpose in just 12 games.
Having then suited up in 22 regular season games, hauling in 107 passes for 1,208 yards and 6 touchdowns as a receiver in the CFL, it was clear that Diontae Spencer could play professionally. Not only as a wide receiver, but as a dynamic returner and a versatile offensive weapon as well. He felt like it was just a matter of time before God circled back and led him back into the NFL, and he did.
He spent another two seasons in the CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks where he made a lasting impact on the game north of the border, not only becoming one of the game’s premier wide receivers and returners, not just of his time, but in the league’s history- totalling for 1,920 receiving yards, 3,200 return yards and 15 touchdowns in 35 games with the Redblacks, including a 2017 game against the Hamilton Tiger Cats where he had a combined 496 all-purpose yards, breaking a pro football record, previously set by Albert Johnson who had 474 in 2000.
This impact that Spencer had on the CFL gave him an opportunity to prove himself yet again in the NFL. Following a series of workouts with NFL teams, he signed on with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he’d spend training camp and the 2019 NFL pre-season, where he’d get the chance to show his dynamic playmaking abilities on the biggest stage. In the 2019 pre-season, he caught 4 passes for 39 yards, ran the ball twice for 48 yards, returned 7 punt returns for 103 yards and one kick-off return for 35 yards, and despite not making the Pittsburgh Steelers final roster, he implemented his name into the NFL, and got signed to the Denver Broncos active roster for the 2019 NFL season.
Not only did he make it to the NFL, and his dream became a reality, but God circled back.
He was back into similar rooms and buildings which he had been in as a rookie in 2014 with the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams- but this time with a greater purpose.
Becoming the Denver Broncos’ primary return man for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 NFL seasons, Diontae Spencer not only proved himself right, showing that he could play at the biggest stage, but also put on display what is possible when you keep God close, and keep God in your life.
Spencer went on to have 1,754 all-purpose yards over the three seasons, playing in 42 games with the Broncos, returning 68 punts, 47 kick-offs, and getting 16 offensive touches, scoring one 83 yard punt return touchdown in 2020 during his tenure with the Broncos. He later found himself with the New York Jets in 2022 and 2023, continuing to be reminded of the blessings, and opportunities in front of him, not only on the field, but off of it as well.
“I remember the times that I was in the basement. Like up in Toronto, sleeping on an air mattress, on a CFL practice squad. So I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in football.” Spencer expressed, “I haven’t always been the biggest, the fastest, the strongest. I didn’t have a lot of offers. I didn’t go to a big school, and I didn’t get drafted, but I faced everything in my life head on, I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity, I’ve kept God in my life, and he circled back.”
Aligning his story with the platform “God Always Circles Back” Diontae Spencer says, “it’s a way of life.” Explaining, “It’s something that so many people can relate to. Everyone goes through things, and have things their working towards, and I know that God Always Circles Back is something that people will be able to look toward, and not only be inspired, but reminded as well that, by keeping God in your life, he can, and he will circle back– at any time, but you have to be willing to be patient, continue to work and seek him, and will circle back when the timing is right.”
Outside of football, Spencer has trusted and believed in God’s plans for him just like he has on the football field. Facing adversity off of the field, he always knew and believed that God would circle back and provide him with a greater meaning and purpose.
“I lost my dad in my freshman year of college– so now, being able to have a son myself, it’s felt like an example in my life where God has circled back.” Spencer comments, “he put me in a position where I’m able to lead and have somebody I can teach and guide just like my dad did for myself.”
As he teaches his son, and guides him to keep God close to himself- Diontae Spencer hopes that through his platform, God Always Circles Back, he can guide those around the world to do the same. “I see God Always Circles Back becoming one of the pivotable cornerstones, not only for athletes like myself, but for artists, creators, and people in general. It’s something I can’t put a ceiling on. It’s much bigger than a brand.” He reveals, “I want to start hearing from other athletes, and people around the world about their stories, and including ambassadors into the platform and the brand who have stories and moments in their lives and careers where God has circled back, and let the brand and the platform grow organically.”
JZ MEDIA 