By Kathy Athearn

While it was a short time ago that many Americans boycotted the NFL, refusing to watch another player kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner” because they were ashamed of the United States and the Judeo-Christian principles on which it was founded, the NFL’s culture is changing. More and more players are displaying humility and gratitude. Not only that — there has been a noticeable increase in the number of players who are boldly sharing their faith in Jesus Christ.

Many of these players are quarterbacks — the leaders of their teams.

Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins has been publicly giving glory to Jesus Christ for much of his life, including at the beginning of his NFL career in 2012. Having played for three teams during his 13-year career and enduring a potentially career-ending injury in 2023, Cousins reveals that his ultimate hope and joy are not in fame or money, but in Jesus. While he is still working hard at achieving the ultimate NFL goal of winning a Super Bowl, Cousins says that he is using his platform to “point to that which is more important and eternal.”

Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Brock Purdy, also openly talks about his Christian faith, saying, “God has always given me opportunities. I put my faith and trust in Him and He’s gotten me where I’m at . … You’ve taken me here and, win or lose, I’m going to glorify you. That’ s my peace, my joy, my steadfastness. That’s where I get it from, and that’s the honest truth.”

Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback and NFL MVP candidate, Lamar Jackson, posted on X in 2023:

“Lord God, you will be with us when we take a stand for you in faith. When we defy the world’s standards and refuse to fit in with the surrounding culture, we may pay a price. But we, like Daniel’s three friends, must resolve not to bow to idols even if you do not rescue us from resultant suffering or even death. But we know that you can always deliver us and trust you will work all things together for our good. Amen.”

C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans’ quarterback, C.J. Stroud, grabbed headlines when he prayed with his mom and sister on the sideline before their AFC South playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers on January 12. He, too, has beautifully expressed how much his faith in Christ impacts him:

“A lot of people don’t get to live the life I do. It’s hard, don’t get me wrong. It’s hard, but it’s a privilege. … I try to do my best to thank God through all that ‘cause His grace and His mercy, and He laid his life on the cross for us … and I really believe that. … This is bigger than just ball. And if I have to use football for my purpose to spread the gospel and the life of Jesus Christ, then I’ll do that, and I think that’s what God wants.”

Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz, Kansas City Chiefs’ backup quarterback, told Sports Spectrum recently, “I would strongly encourage everybody to find their real purpose with their Creator, with Jesus, because that can kind of makes all the difference when you’re going through all of the crap that life can throw at you.”

Jayden Daniels

Washington Commanders’ quarterback, Jayden Daniels, recently described how he’s leaned on God in college — and now in the NFL. LSU’s player relations manager, Sherman Wilson, helped Daniels to grow in his faith, saying, “Being around him, I kind of got back into my faith more, always giving glory to God. He died on the cross for us; anything is possible with Him. Coming back out here, trying to figure out my life, I wanted to stop trying to put so much pressure on me and just give everything to God, letting Him take care of it.”

Jaylen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback, Jaylen Hurts, insists his faith in Christ is central to his life as well. He says, “That’s something that I’ve just matured in and realized — that God is everything and He’s worthy of praise. You have to put Him in the center of everything that you do. And that’s what I believe. … I’ve been blessed to grow, learn things, and just mature. And I know God has been there the whole entire way.”

He went on to explain:

“I keep God at the center of everything. I give Him all the praise. I lean on Him all the time. And I know that everything unfolds the way it’s supposed to. … I just want to set the right example, and I want to be remembered [as] someone who made a difference. You know — that’s an everyday thing. It’s something that I think about every day.”

Coach John Harbaugh

Some NFL coaches are also sharing their faith in Jesus, including brothers Jim and John

Harbaugh. Baltimore Ravens’ coach, John Harbaugh, led his team in kneeling and saying the Lord’s prayer after winning the AFC North title. He reminded them, “We said before the game that we were gonna dedicate the season to each other and to God. We said, ‘To God be the glory.’”

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs count many Christians among their organization, including the owners. Cornerback Trent McDuffie says, “My faith is huge. Really, it’s the biggest thing in my life as far as a place of comfort, a place of peace, a place of hope, an understanding of where I am in my life. Really, it’s the biggest thing that humbles me and allows me to be where my feet are.”

He went on to explain that the Chiefs’ owner and CEO, Clark Hunt, is also a Christian, saying,

“Every day before the game, we hold a chapel that guys show up to and get to hear the good word, get to get some prayer in. It just allows me to not only share my faith with other people but with the people around me.”

Chiefs’ kicker, Harrison Butker, agrees that the organization has a strong Christian influence, saying that his faith is “the most important thing” in his life. The team’s chaplains, Marcellus and Stephanie Casey, lead the team’s players, coaches, and executives to grow together and lean on their faith. The team prays together before each game, and head coach Andy Reid leads the team in the Lord’s Prayer after each game. Butker says, “I think we just have a very Christian team. The more Jesus the better.”

As roughly 100 million people tuned into the Super Bowl Sunday, there is great reason to be encouraged by the work that God is doing in the NFL. Players and coaches are boldly speaking the truth, sharing God’s love, and being salt and light in a hurting and confused world. As we see more college football players also publicly sharing their faith and hundreds of students being baptized on college campuses, let’s pray that the entire country will soon experience a spiritual awakening and glorify Him.