Faithwire
  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • SCOTUS
  • Life
  • Religious Liberty
  • News
  • Politics
  • Faith
  • Opinion

‘Not Ashamed of the Gospel’: Why NFL, Super Bowl Stars Are Boldly Sharing Scripture, Faith

FILE -Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs against Miami Dolphins defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (91) during an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. There are a variety of ways a game can change, and that’s been evident in the games that led to this week’s Super Bowl matchup between Kansas City and San Francisco.(AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)
Share Tweet
By Billy Hallowell
Editor

February 9, 2024

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s shocking cardiac arrest last year during a Monday night football game sparked a nationwide prayer wave, with players and sportscasters encouraging the public to invoke God’s name on Hamlin’s behalf.

Listen to them on the latest episode of “Quick Start” 👇

The stunning outpouring, which preceded the Asbury Revival and a series of mass baptisms, left Jeffrey Scholes, a University of Colorado at Colorado Springs professor of religious studies, stating that faith-based commentary and prayer on TV amid Hamlin’s health crisis was “kind of stunning.”

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Scholes said at the time. “It looked more like ‘The 700 Club’ than it did ESPN for a bit there.”

It should be noted that faith in sports — and particularly the National Football League (NFL) — isn’t necessarily new. Still, in recent years, players have seemingly become more open and bold about their Christian ideals.

Famed football coach Tony Dungy, whose own open devotion to Christianity has long been on display, recently told CBN News that football’s influence and cultural patterns are coalescing to open up more opportunities for players to candidly share their faith.

“Football has become the No. 1 sport in our society today,” Dungy said. “There’s so much emphasis on it, but the other side of the coin is our, our world is … up in the air. [People] don’t know what’s going on. They have questions, but they come to football for that kind of sanctuary.”

Recognizing the power and influence that come with such a massive platform, some of these faithful players are becoming more bold and vocal.

“These young players have said … ‘I can use this platform and I can let people know what’s important to me and I can let people know about my faith in Jesus Christ,'” he said. “And it’s something that, for a long time, we kind of tried to keep under the radar. But we’ve had some very outspoken people.”

Watch Dungy explain:

He mentioned the late Reggie White who once vocally shared his beliefs. And also noted C.J. Stroud, the Houston Texans quarterback who recently gave “all glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” during an interview.

Dungy also referenced Brock Purdy, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, who will be playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl LVIII. These stars, he said, are showing people for what they truly stand.

“These young guys are coming in and they’re not ashamed of the Gospel,” Dungy said.

Dungy’s comments to CBN News came as he plans to hand out the Bart Starr Award to Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick Jr. The Bart Starr Award is given to an NFL player who “best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community.”

“It’s voted on by the players, which is very meaningful to them,” Dungy said. “It’s given to the person who shows extreme leadership, and community service.”

He described Fitzpatrick as being a man who truly fits this description.

“He was traded from the Miami Dolphins, No. 1 draft choice, played at University of Alabama, won a national championship. So, had all these accolades,” Dungy said, noting Fitzpatrick’s selection is well-deserved. “[He has] just the heart of a servant.”

Dungy said he’s been fortunate to have coached five of the men who have received the award and has, for the past decade, been among the pool of people who get to present the award to the annual winner.

He will join Athletes in Action for the Christian ministry’s 2024 Super Bowl Breakfast Feb. 10 at Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas to present the award to Fitzpatrick.

“The breakfast itself is a Gospel outreach,” Dungy said, noting there’s a presentation of biblical truth amid the celebrations surrounding the Super Bowl.

It’s an event that attracts 5,000 to 6,000 people who will hear a lot about football but, more importantly, will hear players discuss their faith.

“Player after player will talk about their relationship with the Lord, maybe how it started,” Dungy said. “There’s just been some unbelievable stories that have come through this, and it’s a Gospel outreach letting people know that Christ is the answer to a lot of our problems, and there’s always a Gospel invitation at the end.”

Find out more about the 2024 Super Bowl Breakfast here.

***As the number of voices facing big-tech censorship continues to grow, please sign up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and download the CBN News app, developed by our parent company, to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

Latest

  • Faith

    Amid Revival Chatter, Young People Deliver Another ‘Amazing’ Surprise: ‘A Big Lesson for Christian Outlets’

  • News

    ‘I Apologize’: Simone Biles Backs Down After Bullying Riley Gaines for Defending Women

  • News

    Singer Reveals Wild Miracle, Says She’s Seen ‘Cancer Disappear,’ ‘People Get Delivered From Demons’: ‘You Can’t Deny’

  • News

    Ministry Offers Radical Hope for Addicted, Imprisoned, Afflicted Men Who Have Hit Rock Bottom

  • News

    Christian Baker Terrorized by Disturbing Threats, Legal Chaos Over Cake Refusal Won’t Back Down


Sponsored
Sponsored

Newsletter
Signup

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Recent Posts

  • Amid Revival Chatter, Young People Deliver Another ‘Amazing’ Surprise: ‘A Big Lesson for Christian Outlets’
  • ‘I Apologize’: Simone Biles Backs Down After Bullying Riley Gaines for Defending Women
  • Singer Reveals Wild Miracle, Says She’s Seen ‘Cancer Disappear,’ ‘People Get Delivered From Demons’: ‘You Can’t Deny’
  • Ministry Offers Radical Hope for Addicted, Imprisoned, Afflicted Men Who Have Hit Rock Bottom
  • Christian Baker Terrorized by Disturbing Threats, Legal Chaos Over Cake Refusal Won’t Back Down

Archives

  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016

Categories

  • Christian Persecution
  • Coronavirus
  • culture
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Faith
  • Faith
  • Family
  • George Floyd
  • Go!
  • Israel
  • Life
  • Life
  • Lifestyle
  • Media
  • Men
  • Mission Haiti
  • News
  • News
  • Opinion
  • P.O.V
  • Politics
  • Politics
  • Roe
  • Sponsored
  • Sports
  • Virtue
  • Women

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Navigation

  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter your inbox every day.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Newsletter Signup

Do you want to read
more articles like this?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.