"Money Is A Lie”: Why Owen Freeman Chose Faith Over a Massive NIL Payday

Big Ten Freshman of the Year Owen Freeman reveals why he chose faith over massive NIL deals and the truth about his heart-wrenching transfer to Creighton.In this episode:Owen Freeman, the standout forward for the Creighton Bluejays (formerly Iowa Hawkeyes), joins Zach Schumaker for a raw conversation about the volatile landscape of modern college sports. Owen opens up about his breakout freshman season, the injury that forced him into a "theology of suffering," and the moment he realized that his identity had become dangerously tethered to his box score.We dive deep into the mechanics of the transfer portal, Owen’s strategic "Do Not Contact" tag, and why he believes the promise of NIL money is often a lie. Owen shares his "Audience of One" paradigm for surviving social media toxicity, how he draws confidence from the life of King David, and the practical disciplines—like his decision to abstain from profanity in the locker room—that help him remain unashamed of the Gospel.About Owen Freeman:Team: Creighton Bluejays (NBA Prospect / Forward)Former Team: University of Iowa HawkeyesAccolades: Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2024)Known for: Elite rim protection, efficiency, and a "Ministry-First" athlete archetype.⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction & Owen Freeman's Journey 01:17 - Growing Up in Moline: Church and Basketball 03:07 - Moving from "Parents' Faith" to Personal Faith 05:17 - Success, Fame, and the Temptations of Pride 07:37 - Identity Crisis: Who Are You Without the Ball? 12:34 - Trials at Iowa: Injury, Surgery, and Refocusing 14:18 - Navigating the Transfer Portal: Why Creighton? 15:33 - Discernment: Identifying the "Lies" in Recruitment 16:15 - Staying Grounded Amidst NIL Millions 19:38 - Romans 1:16: Being Unashamed in the Locker Room 20:44 - Choosing Not to Cuss: Reflecting Christ through Speech 24:36 - Lessons from King David: Confidence in the Lord 29:32 - The Morning Routine: Prayer, Word, and Worship 35:34 - Legacy: Being a Light for the Kingdom📚 Resources Mentioned:Scripture: Romans 1:16 & 1 Samuel 17 (David vs. Goliath)Book: Simply Following Jesus by Robert WatsonPath of the Cross Podcast bridges the gap between the heart and the mind through raw testimonies and deep theological truth. Hosted by Zach Schumaker, we explore apologetics, Bible history, and the reality of suffering to equip the whole believer. Subscribe to discover not just what to believe, but why it matters.Check out Zach's other shows:The SchuZ Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOMleLQ1xZNiga5HlLG2dkAThe Iron Compass: https://www.youtube.com/@theironcompassshowConnect With Zach and Path of the Cross:Subscribe:(https://youtube.com/@PathoftheCrossPodcast?si=I8aPszhY_vvQbveb)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachschumaker/X: https://x.com/ZachSchumakerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/zach.schuz.schumakerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachschumakerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachschumaker/Path of the Cross Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathofthecrosspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574915377314Hashtags: #OwenFreeman #CreightonBasketball #NIL #TransferPortal #BigTenFreshmanOfTheYear #PathOfTheCross #ChristianAthlete #IdentityInChrist #CollegeHoops #BigEast#POTCP Episode #1