( CNN ) NFL player Benjamin Watson wants to tackle race . He says he believes talking about race freely is the key to moving forward . On November 25 , 2014 , the tight end took to Facebook to express his thoughts about the unrest in Ferguson , Missouri . His message went viral with nearly 870,000 likes and more than 450,000 shares . Watson 's take on the situation in Ferguson was n't one-sided . The essay allowed a more fresh approach to one of the most delicate conversations in the U.S. : race relations . `` Anytime there 's a situation where you 've got police officers , you 've got citizens , you 've got the race aspect of it -- it 's always a big deal . And everybody comes in on their own side . Everybody has specific experiences that lead them to their conclusions . '' says Watson . `` I really think part of the race issue is just for us to be open and honest with each other . '' Watson ended his post by turning to the Bible . He mentioned that situations like Ferguson stem from a `` sin '' problem rather than a `` skin '' problem . However , in his Facebook post , he felt encouraged because he feels the Gospel provides hope : . `` I 'M ENCOURAGED , because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem , it is a SIN problem . SIN is the reason we rebel against authority . SIN is the reason we abuse our authority . SIN is the reason we are racist , prejudiced and lie to cover for our own . SIN is the reason we riot , loot and burn . `` BUT I 'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the His son Jesus and with it , a transformed heart and mind . One that 's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what 's truly important in every human being . The cure for the Michael Brown , Trayvon Martin , Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure . It 's the Gospel . So , finally , I 'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope . '' The reaction to Watson 's post was mostly positive . But he drew some backlash when he suggested a faith-based solution to the nation 's race problems . But his wife , Kirsten Watson , agreed with him wholeheartedly . `` His comment is based in truth . His emotions are his emotions , so that 's how he felt about it and that 's his perspective and I do n't think that can be argued , '' she said . Watson received national attention when his Facebook post on the Ferguson situation went viral . But if you are n't a diehard football fan , you may not be familiar with No . 82 of the New Orleans Saints . Watson entered the league when he was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2004 . Six years later , he signed with the Cleveland Browns . He joined the `` Who Dat Nation '' in 2013 . Watson shared his Christian beliefs while expressing how upset he was about the fatal shooting of Michael Brown . Some may have been surprised about the amount of transparency the NFL player displayed . `` Being a Christian is who you are and playing football is what you do . I think when it comes to football , God had provided me a platform and I want to be responsible for what he has given me . And it 's not comfortable for me all the time , '' he says . Watson 's spiritual journey began during childhood . `` I 'm the oldest of six kids . We had a 15-year gap between me and my youngest brother . My father is a pastor in South Carolina . I was born in Norfolk , Virginia , but we moved to South Carolina when I was in high school , '' says Watson . `` My dad used to say whatever you start , finish it . You are going to give 100 % because you 're not doing it just for yourself , you 're doing it for the Lord . '' In college , Watson found someone who shared his beliefs . He met his wife at the University of Georgia during a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting . `` One thing that Benjamin and I said when we got married is that we wanted our marriage to be a ministry . It makes sense we would talk about healing and bringing people together , '' says Kirsten Watson . And as a father of four -- soon to be five -- Benjamin Watson knows it all starts at home . `` I want my kids to see me as a leader , a protector , a lover of my wife . ... Daddy caring , but also trustworthy and faithful , '' he says . The couple started the One More Foundation to make a greater impact in communities and be an example to their children . `` We decided to start the organization not only to help others , but to leave a legacy for our kids of giving . We want them to understand that giving is important . Whether it 's money , food or time , giving to someone else is what we 're called to do . ''
NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski and his wife, Nicole (right), at the Super Bowl in Houston. He says he believes if we can talk about race more freely , the nation can move forward . Watson 's Facebook essay on the unrest in Ferguson , Missouri , went viral .