There’s a very refreshing trend right now in pro sports in which athletes are praising God and speaking powerfully about their faith.
This has especially been the case in the National Football League and, somewhat surprisingly, in the National Basketball Association.
In the NFL we have C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), Harrison Butker (Kansas City’s Super Bowl-winning kicker), recently baptized DaVon Hamilton (Jacksonville Jaguars), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore), Kirk Cousins (just signed with the Atlanta Falcons), Christian McCaffery and Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers), and John Harbaugh (Baltimore Raven coach).
In the NBA, Michael Porter Jr. (Denver Nuggets), Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons), Jonathan Isaac (Orlando Magic) and Joe Mazzulla (Boston Celtics coach) have shown great courage and sincerity in their words.
Mazulla, who is a strong Catholic, once was asked after a game if he noticed the British Royal family in attendance at a Celtics game. He answered, “No, I only know of one royal family: Joseph, Mary and Joseph.”
It would be accurate to say the mainstream media has not been happy with bold Christian values being the first words stated in interviews. There have been examples of interviews being edited to eliminate any mention of God or Jesus, but in a few cases this has backfired. Many fans have noticed it and have caused a social media storm, bringing more attention to the interview and in the meantime embarrassing the network.
Any positive message of faith is desperately needed today and there is momentum growing for such displays of faith. After NFL games players from both teams gather to pray together at centre field. Again, the cameras usually pan away from it, but rest assured it is happening and at least those in the stadium are witnessing it. These athletes are sanctifying their workplace as we all should.
I believe sports must lead a revolution in faith. It is uplifting to see virtuous Christ-like behaviour during the action as well, as athletes walk the walk by displaying humility, sportsmanship, fortitude, gratitude, and respect for opponents in the midst of intense competition.
Considering all of the training and hard work that athletes have put into their sport, all centring around the individual and their personal success, there must be a core value system within these athletes when they’re able to act so well toward others while under pressure. Even in a physical sport like football, players can show a tremendous amount of respect for each other. Consider the commendable post-game tradition of shaking hands after the game.
The resilience and fortitude shown when recovering from injuries is also admirable. An extreme example of this is Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin. After almost losing his life on the field due to cardiac arrest on a nationally broadcast game he returned to action this season.
“My entire life I felt like God was using me to give others hope and now with a new set of circumstances he is doing what he has always done,” he told NBC Sports. “I am eternally grateful to my saviour,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.
Gratitude is a common theme for many faithful stars like C.J. Stroud, who said, “I can never repay God for what he has done for me.”
He is an extremely humble quarterback who once stated that passion in life may seem self-centred, but one’s purpose must be service to others.
Humility might be the greatest virtue to see in professional athletes. Catholic coach John Harbaugh stated recently, “We all must give honour and credit where it is due … to God.”
These athletes are examples of individuals in sports who have developed a unity of life; they bring the presence of God with them in every aspect of their lives, be it at work or at home. Can we do this in even small ways? As Lent is nearing an end, let's try to bring God with us everywhere and be willing to walk and talk about our faith when speaking to friends, coworkers, and family.
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