Football Faith

As we begin a New Year, it’s tempting to zero in on the immense geo-political movements in our world like the coming inauguration of President Trump (for the second time), the recent resignation of Canadian president Justin Trudeau (and Canada jokingly becoming our 51st state), the fall of Syria, or the quagmire and suffering in Ukraine. 

We shall prayerfully analyze all these in 2025 for prayer and action.

But–this first week in January–how about–FOOTBALL.

As one writer puts it, something incredible is happening.

Football Faith

If you’re an American football fan, you know that the college national championship takes place on January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 

Currently Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Texas are vying for the title.

Two weeks later, the National Football League Super Bowl LIX will be held on February 8 at Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans. The NFL playoffs begin this week with 14 teams aiming for the Lombardi trophy. The Super Bowl is often the most watched telecast around the globe.

Sports is big our nation and world.

There are negative sides to sports mania, the first of which is idolatry. Anything we love more than God can become an idol in our life that distracts us from reality and more important things. I repented decades ago of my love for sports more than God and have spoken in many settings about the idolatry of entertainment. (Entertainment is one of the “Big Three,” of modern idols, the others being money and sex).

Anything you think about or pursue more than God will hurt you and tarnish his glory. We should be more “fanatical” for the Creator and Savior of the world and his Great Commission than for any “innocent amusements.” 

On the positive side, sports is a good teacher of healthy competition (excellence) discipline, focus, team play, unselfishness, and unity. It can also be used as a great tool to point people to Jesus.

I played on a Young Life Basketball team in 1970 that shared the Good News of Christ all across the South Pacific. It hooked me on missions as a seventeen-year-old. Later, I took YWAM King’s Kids basketball teams to Mongolia to work with youth and talk to people about Jesus throughout the nation.

Sports is a amazing tool and a powerful platform from which to share the excellencies of Christ.

American football might be the consummate team sport because it takes eleven people on offense, defense, and special teams to work together to achieve success. NFL teams sport 53 athletes who must blend their hearts, skills, and character together to win games. 

You learn a lot about life from the “glory of victory and the agony of defeat.”

Don’t idolize sports (or any other thing), but use it as a tool–even a platform–to share Jesus with the world.

That’s what many college football players are doing this season.

Tre Goins-Phillips shares that “Something Incredible is Happening” in college football this season.

In the world of collegiate football, it appears Jesus is going on a blitz.

Several young football players have, in recent days, used the publicity from their games as a way to point fans and viewers toward the Gospel — a holy interference that seems to be gaining momentum. 
Athletes from a host of teams are speaking out about their faith in God.

Ahmed Hassanein, a defensive end for the Boise State Broncos, offered perhaps the most powerful testimony after his team’s loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions. “First, I want to start off and say, all glory to Jesus Christ,” he said. “He’s the true champion.”

Hassanein then turned to his defensive coach, Deion Barnes, telling him, “Coach D, you changed my life. … I did not know God until I got to Boise State.”

The player went on to give a succinct Gospel presentation, telling the reporters gathered at the press conference that “Jesus Christ is the only true God,” who “died and rose from the dead three days later.” “That’s the champion that I serve,” he added, nearly in tears.

Hassanein was hardly alone in his reflections on Jesus.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard immediately pointed to his Christian faith when a reporter asked him for his reaction to his team winning the Rose Bowl.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “You know, first and foremost, I’ve gotta thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage and here, in the Rose Bowl. A younger me would be in awe right now.” Ohio State quarterback Will Howard thanked his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after winning the Rose Bowl.

Who else thinks we need more of this?

Howard’s bold comments come months after, as CBN News reported, players with the Ohio State football team led a massive revival on campus, prompting scores of baptisms.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard — after his team’s win in the Sugar Bowl — made similar comments. He told ESPN, “First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him, I wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be here as a whole group. … I’m just so grateful for this opportunity.”

Then there are those whose actions spoke just as loudly as others’ words.

North Carolina-based Pastor Derwin Gray, a former collegiate and professional football player, wrote on X that “something incredible is happening” in response to a clip of Texas Longhorns running back Nick Sanders asking Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, “Can I pray for you?”

The faith-filled moment, during which the two young men knelt together, came after Texas bested Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on Wednesday.

And just ahead of the kickoff of the Gator Bowl, players with the Ole Miss football team knelt together in prayer — a powerful moment presumably prompted by head coach Lane Kiffin, who is Christian.

Kiffin told Sports Spectrum in 2022 it’s his faith in God that he’s “defined by,” explaining, “How am I being as a kid to the Lord, as His son? I’m not great at it, but, when I do that, that puts things in perspective for me a lot.”

What an encouragement it is to see athletes using their platforms to bring honor and attention to God. Some of them share the biggest stages in the world.

Let’s pray  that their actions and words minister to those who see and hear them.

I enjoy watching football contests but it doesn’t dominate my life and time. There’s a world out there of eight billion people to pray for, minister to, and lead to Jesus for eternal salvation.

But I’m greatly encouraged when a player scores a touchdown and points his index finger toward heaven to give credit to the One who gave him these exciting athletic abilities. Or the athlete who’s interviewed after the game and immediately gives glory to Jesus Christ–not human prowess or pride.

Humility is a beautiful thing. 

These athletes are “champions” in a measly human sport. Jesus is the CHAMPION of heaven and earth who is worthy of our eternal praise. 

By-the-way, Jesus is an equestrian, not a baller. Revelation tells us:

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11,16).

His coming (Return) is truly something to be fanatical about.