Chase Hilgenbrinck, New England Revolution's defender in Major League Soccer (MLS), has decided to leave the club and retire from professional football to enter a seminary and prepare for a new career in the ministry.
The 26-year-old spend the next six years studying theology and philosophy to become a Roman Catholic priest.
Hilgenbrinck told the club’s website: "After years of discernment, I feel strongly that the Lord has called me to become a priest in the Catholic Church.
"My passion now is to do the will of God, which is wanting only what He wants for me.
"Though I will miss the game of soccer, I know that I am moving on to something much greater."
Hilgenbrinck, who raised in a Catholic family, began his MLS career with the Colorado Rapids before he landed with the Revolution.
He played in four MLS matches for New England, including one start. He also started in both of the Revolution’s U.S. Open Cup victories this month.
His retirement reminds on Carlos Roa's first retirement in 1999. That time, while still Argentina's first choice goalkeeper, Roa retired from football to take a religious retreat.
He was a member of an apocalypse cult and refused to discuss a new contract with his club, Real Mallorca, because he believed the world was coming to an end.
Roa is a member of 'Seventh-day Adventist Church' that teach to respect the Sabbath from Fridays sundown to Saturday sundown, not working (or playing for work) to serve others and worshiping Jesus without distractions.
He also known as a strict vegetarian, nicknamed Lechuga or The Lettuce for his diet, and carries a Bible everywhere he goes.
But a year after his retreat, Roa returned to Mallorca for the 2000/2001 season, but didn't find continuity, playing only a few matches.
The 26-year-old spend the next six years studying theology and philosophy to become a Roman Catholic priest.
Hilgenbrinck told the club’s website: "After years of discernment, I feel strongly that the Lord has called me to become a priest in the Catholic Church.
"My passion now is to do the will of God, which is wanting only what He wants for me.
"Though I will miss the game of soccer, I know that I am moving on to something much greater."
Hilgenbrinck, who raised in a Catholic family, began his MLS career with the Colorado Rapids before he landed with the Revolution.
He played in four MLS matches for New England, including one start. He also started in both of the Revolution’s U.S. Open Cup victories this month.
His retirement reminds on Carlos Roa's first retirement in 1999. That time, while still Argentina's first choice goalkeeper, Roa retired from football to take a religious retreat.
He was a member of an apocalypse cult and refused to discuss a new contract with his club, Real Mallorca, because he believed the world was coming to an end.
Roa is a member of 'Seventh-day Adventist Church' that teach to respect the Sabbath from Fridays sundown to Saturday sundown, not working (or playing for work) to serve others and worshiping Jesus without distractions.
He also known as a strict vegetarian, nicknamed Lechuga or The Lettuce for his diet, and carries a Bible everywhere he goes.
But a year after his retreat, Roa returned to Mallorca for the 2000/2001 season, but didn't find continuity, playing only a few matches.
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