Hollywood actor Denzel Washington has shared his testimony in a speech to the University of Colorado Boulder football team.

The Oscar-winning actor recounted his journey from rejecting God to embracing faith, just months after his baptism and ministerial licensing, The Christian Post reports.

Opening with a reflection on Psalm 19, he prayed: "In all that I say, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in God's sight."

Despite growing up in church, he admitted that he "rejected God". 

"I hated God," he said, before acknowledging, "God has had nothing but patience with me. That's why they call it grace."

Addressing the team, Washington stressed that their purpose in life goes beyond football.

"God did not put you here to play football," he said. "He gave you that gift, but that's not your purpose, because one injury can end it."

He reflected on his own career, admitting he never planned to act but soon recognized it as his "God-given ability". 

Yet, he insisted, "God did not put me on this planet to act; God put me on this planet to preach."

Washington also shared how God’s grace spared him from a life of crime.

Encouraging the players, he advised them to take two minutes each morning to "be quiet, breathe, and listen."