By Stephanie Martin, ChurchLeaders
Dozens of National Football League players profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and aren’t ashamed to give God glory.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is an outspoken Christian—one of many faith-filled pro QBs. Mahomes was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2022 season.
During a press conference, Mahomes told reporters that his “Christian faith plays a role in everything” he does. “I always ask God to lead me in the right direction and let me be who I am for his name. So, it has a role in everything that I do. And obviously, it will be on a huge stage in the Super Bowl that he’s given me and how to make sure I’m glorifying him while I do it.”
Other Christian NFL quarterbacks include Jalen Hurts, Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Russell Wilson, Trevor Lawrence, and Dak Prescott. Many team rosters feature faithful men of God, with players such as Damar Hamlin, Harrison Butker, and Cooper Kupp setting godly examples both on and off the field.
Another player to watch is Brock Purdy. Just 23 years old, he has gone from being “Mr. Irrelevant” (the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft) to the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. The Iowa State alum made a strong impression late last season, both for his on-field poise and for statements about his faith
Earlier this year, evangelist Franklin Graham commented about Purdy’s witness, writing on social media: “In addition to being a super talented football player, I love the fact that Brock Purdy is so open about his faith in Jesus Christ.”
Purdy, who shares a photo of Colossians 3:23 on his social media profile, emphasized that his “identity is in Jesus.” In a recent profile, the San Francisco Chronicle touted Purdy’s faith as ‘the force’ that sets him free. This summer, Purdy got engaged to Jenna Brandt. On Instagram, he shared a photo, writing, “I can’t wait to be your husband and grow together in Christ.”
Purdy shared the faithful revelation with Faithwire earlier this year after admitting he once elevated football above his relationship with the Lord – a sin for which he sought God’s forgiveness.
“It was just a great reminder of where my identity is, where it lies,” he told Sports Spectrum. “And it’s in Jesus. And I continue to lean on Him. Again, the next day I didn’t go out and throw for 500 yards and was this awesome quarterback, but it was just this peace that I had with Him knowing that ‘Hey, no matter what, I’m going to face moving forward during college football, God and Jesus are going to be my identity. And whatever I face, I won’t be shaken from it.’ I’ve got a great foundation in Him.”
In his Instagram bio, Purdy describes himself as a “believer in Jesus.”
“The Lord is my rock, and I will not be shaken,” he wrote in one Instagram post alongside a picture of himself pointing upward, revealing a white wristband with a black cross on it. “I love you boys and will go to war with y’all time and time again.”
C.J. Stroud, a native of Inland Empire, California, said during his college days at Ohio State.
“That’s what God has called me to do is be a leader,” Stroud said. “So, I definitely try to show love and let people know that whatever they’re going through or whatever they have been through, they’re not by themselves. They have help. They have inspiration. They can look up to me.”
He pointed to his faith as a driving force behind his desire to take on a leadership role. That process started during Stroud’s redshirt season at Ohio State, so there wasn’t much that changed from his perspective when he became the face of one of college football’s most storied programs.
“I don’t feel different as a leader. I feel a little more responsibility to lead by example,” he said. “I think I’m a natural-born leader. I think I’ve been called to be a leader, not just in football but as a man of God. It’s nothing new. I was doing this stuff freshman year. It just gets talked about a little more now.”
Stroud’s faith journey began with his father, who was a pastor but ultimately ended up in prison. Over time, C.J. developed his own personal relationship with Christ. And he credits three things — faith, family and friends — with helping keep him grounded as one of the highest-profile players in the country.
“It’s a constant prayer and just talking with my mom and just family and friends at home,” Stroud told Sports Spectrum in a 2022 article. “They’re definitely the reason why I am who I am today.”
First published on Sept. 6, 2023
