LAS VEGAS – Super Bowl week is about the NFL’s two best teams, its best players and its most accomplished coaches. It has always been this way in the 58 years that the game has dominated our late-season attention.
Super Bowl week is traditionally also marked by outrageous parties – not to mention some saucy things happening around town.
But there is a counterpoint to all this. This Super Bowl week and the upcoming game have diverted some of the attention to something more respectful. Because lately, and certainly this week, the biggest players and biggest names are sharing their faith.
And they share the glory and merit of their accomplishments with Jesus Christ.
BALTIMORE, MD – JANUARY 28: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens returns to pass during the AFC NFL Championship football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Lamar Jackson thanks his Lord
“First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said after receiving the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award at the NFL Honors Show Thursday evening.
The statement, delivered to a packed house and national television audience, drew applause.
“Without him, none of this is possible,” Jackson added after being recognized as the league’s best player during the regular season.
And while the show continued to feature the league’s biggest stars, they continued to put Jesus Christ in the spotlight.
“First and foremost, I want to give all glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” were the first words out of Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud after accepting the AP Offensive Rookie Award of the Year.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: CJ Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans prays with his teammates after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
CJ Stroud bold for Jesus Christ
Stroud has made this statement before virtually every interview and press conference all season. He did it during his week on the radio.
And sometimes it’s been to the chagrin of some people, like those in NBC’s social media department who deleted the statement during an on-field interview after a Sunday Night Football telecast.
But not this night. Stroud credited the Texans, his family, the state of Ohio and even his hometown of Southern California, for helping him succeed.
“I am a living testimony to trusting your goals and dreams,” Stroud added, “And I thank God for that.”
By the way, the Texans also boast Defensive Rookie of the Year. That’s because Will Anderson Jr. won the prestigious defensive award announced at the same Honors show as the others.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 08: (LR) DeMeco Ryans, CJ Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. attend the 13th Annual NFL Honors at Resorts World Theater on February 08, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Will Anderson makes a statement
And like the others, Anderson gave thanks to God.
“First, I gotta give all the glory to God, man,” Anderson said on stage. “Without him, none of this is possible, man. He deserves all the honor and praise.”
Do you see a trend here? Because it is obvious that even in Sin City and in a society that threatens to become darker, there are figures who boldly represent the light.
Last year’s Super Bowl is also an example of this. Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts – the starting quarterbacks in this game – spoke openly about their faith in God and Jesus before this match.
Well, Mahomes did it again in this Super Bowl. And this year, he was joined by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who told reporters he even prays during games.
“Yeah, yeah, I do,” Purdy said. “You know, it’s not possible, you know, God, can we win here? Can we do something big here? It’s just more to have that peace, that steadfastness in the middle of all the chaos. That’s really what it is.
“And take it back to, ‘Holy Spirit, you know, take over and lead me here right now. And let me think clearly, let me, you know, obviously go through my readings.’ And, like I said, just have a balanced mindset that I receive from the Holy Spirit.”
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 4: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy #13 prays with other players after their 33-17 NFL victory over the Miami Dolphins at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, in California, Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
Brock Purdy standing on Psalm 23
Purdy has had a wild ride over the past calendar year. He injured his throwing arm elbow in the NFC Championship Game loss to the Eagles in January 2023. He needed a serious Tommy John procedure to repair the injury.
And while he was recovering and unable to compete for the team’s starting job, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan told him the team was going to contact Tom Brady to see if he would like to be the holder.
Brady refused, but through that uncertainty, elbow rehab and a season in which he threw 31 touchdown passes, Purdy turned to scripture for support and guidance.
“For me, it’s Psalm 23,” he said. “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I feel no danger because you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me. And then it also talks about how God prepares a table before me, even in the presence of my enemy…
“So even though all this craziness is happening to me, I’m like God is with me. He’s here right now. And it gives me peace. It gives me, you know, just calm, steadfastness. Yeah , in those moments, that’s what I can fall back on.”
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 20: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers scores during pregame warmups before an NFC Divisional Playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
Players using platforms for Jesus
None of this means that all Super Bowl players are Christians. This is not to say that every accomplished player in the league is Christian.
But it is increasingly clear that those who are are mobilizing and sharing their faith. Even on the NFL’s biggest stage.
“I think there are more and more players recognizing that their voice can be heard more in today’s age of social media, and they are being bolder in taking a stand for Christ,” said Jason Romano, former ESPN producer who launched the SportsSpectrum Podcast which follows Christian athletes.
“I think it can have a huge effect in reaching people with the hope only found in Jesus. It’s awesome.”
