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Helping athletes and leaders find identity, purpose, and faith beyond the game

Endorsements

What pros are saying about When the Game Is Gone . . .

I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside Maurice Williams as an NFL chaplain, and from day one, I’ve respected his passion for helping athletes understand that football is part of their story—not the whole story. In When the Game Is Gone, Maurice offers athletes at every level a roadmap for navigating the often-painful transition away from sports with faith, clarity, and purpose. This book is biblically grounded, practical, and deeply personal—exactly what athletes and those who walk with them need. I’m grateful for his voice and highly recommend this resource to every athlete, coach, and chaplain.

Reza Zadeh

Chief of Staff, Pro Athletes Outreach

Former Chaplain, Denver Broncos

There will never be a time when I will not be “a football player.” Even now, 25 years removed from my last game, I am still addressed that way, albeit as former or retired. This is a part of who I am, even when it's no longer what I do. For many athletes who come to the end of their playing careers, that new reality creates a sense of tension, and sometimes, confusion. When the Game Is Gone addresses the core issues of how to live out this unique and challenging dynamic. I believe Moe's book can strike a blow against the opposing forces intent on defeating us, and it provides the skills needed to excel in this season of who you are.

Anthony Johnson, LMHC

NFL Legend, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts

Retired NFL Chaplain, University of Notre Dame

When the lights go out, the crowd fades, and the pads come off for the last time—you’re left with a haunting question: “Who am I now?” I know that ache. I’ve felt the silence after the roar. Maurice’s book is a lifeline for anyone who’s ever tied their identity to a game, a platform, or a performance. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s dripping with Gospel hope. This isn’t just about life after sports—it’s about life after anything that once defined you. And it’s good news: the story doesn’t end when the game is gone. For anyone facing transition, this is the book you need in your locker, in your backpack, and in your heart.

Joe Zelenka

NFL Legend, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Atlanta Falcons (14-year NFL Vet)

Pastor, Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church, Director of Men’s Ministry

Coach Maurice Williams has had a major impact on my life since moving to Jacksonville. As the team Chaplain for the Jaguars, Mo helped me grow in faith during my days in the NFL. He’s a great mentor to me and continues to pour wisdom and grace into young people. As someone who’s lived the journey, this book hits home. It’s full of wisdom, truth, and hope for anyone transitioning out of sports.

Jarrod Wilson

NFL Legend (2016–2022), Former Michigan Wolverine

Life is full of chapters, seasons, and transitions. We know this, but when we are forced to experience these moments, they often are met with surprise, confusion, and a host of competing emotions. Maurice Williams offers a refreshingly transparent look at the changes in the life of a professional athlete. Moe shares the joys of being at the top of the game and the sudden realization when, as he puts it, he was “old news” when his football-playing days were over. Moe’s story resonates with those who have played professional sports, as well as with every person who has done what so many of us do: equate our identity (who we are) with our activity (what we do). For every athlete, there will be that moment when the game ends, whether in youth sports, high school, college, or at the professional level. Who are you when you are not on the field or the court any longer? This is the question that is at the heart of every person, and it must be answered. Moe understands that as a child of God, our identity is in Him. I highly recommend this book to all who have ever had to transition into a new season of life. This is a must-read for athletes who need to be reminded that their identity is more than their ability or activity.

Dr. David Tarkington

Pastor, First Baptist Church of Orange Park

Founder, GameDay Church

When The Game Is Gone hit me in a personal way. As someone who had college offers from every major program in the country, to getting injured and watching those dreams disappear, I know what it feels like to have the game taken from you. I had to start over at a small HBCU, play with a chip on my shoulder, and still found myself drafted and able to sustain a 13-year career in the NFL. Through it all, I learned that my identity was never in football; it was in my faith.

This book speaks directly to the truth that our worth isn’t found in the game, a title, or the spotlight, but in who we are in God. When the Game Is Gone will speak to any athlete learning to navigate life beyond the field and discover a lasting purpose that never fades. Now, as a businessman, I can truly attest that God has a plan and purpose for every season in your life.

Rashean Mathis

Former NFL Player, Husband, Father, and Entrepreneur

As an NFL Chaplain, I walk alongside men and their families who daily face exactly what Moe has lived through. When the Game is Gone is an incredible tool of hope for athletes at all levels who come to the end of their playing days and have to transition into what’s next while dealing with pain, frustration, and endless questions. It’s been a privilege to be on Moe’s current team and to watch him live out his God-given purpose beyond his playing days. I’ll be giving this book to the athletes I know who are transitioning out of the game.

Kent Chevalier

Athletes in Action, Pittsburgh Steelers Chaplain

When the Game Is Gone is more than a book—it’s a lifeline. Maurice Williams speaks from experience, faith, and a heart that still beats for the locker room and the Kingdom. This isn’t just about transitioning out of sports; it’s about rediscovering who you are when the noise fades and the lights go out. Every athlete—high school, college, or pro—needs this message. It reminds us that our greatest victories don’t happen on the field, but in the quiet moments when we let God redefine what winning really means.

Tim Timberlake

Pastor of Celebration Church and Bestselling Author of The Bumpy Road to Better

When the Game Is Gone is an invaluable resource for anyone who has experienced a loss of identity. Maurice masterfully engages readers through authentic storytelling and actionable insights. He invites readers on an exhilarating journey through the highs and lows of a high-pressure career, offering a deep and honest look into the mental, emotional, and physical toll it can take. Ultimately, Maurice guides readers to rediscover where their true identity has always resided, and how they can live with peace, joy, fulfillment, and unwavering conviction.

Corwin Anthony

Chief Ambassador Officer, AIA

Exec Dir. Super Bowl Breakfast

Maurice Williams has lived the journey that so many athletes face but rarely feel prepared to navigate. As a former NFL player and now the chaplain for the Jacksonville Jaguars, he brings a rare combination of credibility, compassion, and firsthand experience to When the Game Is Gone. This book shines a much-needed light on the reality that every career—whether in the pros, college, or high school—eventually comes to an end.

Maurice offers real-life stories, honest insight, and a clear, hope-filled roadmap for navigating the uncharted territory oftransition. If you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or anyone walking through a season of change, this is the resource you want in your hands. It’s timely, authentic, and deeply practical. Maurice doesn’t just understand the journey—he’s walked it, and he equips you to walk it well.

George Gregory

Chaplain, Los Angeles Chargers

USA TODAY Bestselling Author of The Marriage Game Plan: Developing a Winning Strategy for Marital Success

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