Chem Campbell interview: Wolves loanee on faith, loans and Reading spell
Football and religion have always been closely linked.
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Whether it is Brazilian favourite Kaka pointing to the sky and unveiling his 'I belong to Jesus' shirt after winning the Champions League with AC Milan in 2007, or the general desire to belong to a group or community, sport is rooted in the same ethos.
Many footballers have faith but few talk to about it, but Wolves loanee Chem Campbell is open about his journey.
The 21-year-old is currently impressing at League One side Reading in his fourth loan spell away from Wolves, having battled with limited minutes at previous clubs.
Coaches at both Reading and Wolves have helped the winger realise his talent this season, but his personal beliefs continue to drive him in the tough times.
"I'm a heavy Christian, so I have a lot of faith in God," Campbell told the Express & Star.
"I pray and that helped me the most to get through the times where I've been dropped or sometimes not even in the squads.
"My faith definitely helped me massively. I personally need it, but it's not for everyone."
Campbell is not the only Wolves player to open up on how religion has helped him, after Dexter Lembikisa spoke to the Express & Star in 2023.
"Dexter is a good friend of mine, we speak a lot," Campbell added.
"I wasn't raised a Christian. I developed that and it was through football where I developed that.
"I saw a lot of players speak about Jesus and speak about their faith. When they win things, they're giving glory to Jesus, things like that.
"I was intrigued what it was and then about four or five years ago, I just tapped into it and I haven't looked back.
"I think in those times when you're alone, maybe you're on loan, you're in your apartment on your own, you're not playing, you think 'I'm just alone, I've got no one'.
"But when you have God, you have him. So he's definitely helped me and I think it's important that everyone should have a relationship with God.
"In those times, there's nowhere to look, he's the one that's got your back. That's what I believe."
