The thought of faith and sports often evokes pictures of players and fans offering up a request for divine intervention during a tense play or tight game. During pre-and post-game interviews, a featured player may give credit to heavenly support for getting them where they are. Often, at the pro level, an athlete my credit God for the talent and opportunities they possess. Thanking God when cameras are rolling and mics are hot is a powerful acknowledgement, but for players of faith, the gratitude and praise goes much deeper, to the foundations of their belief system.
On fields and courts, in sold-out arenas and practice venues, highly spiritual athletes are invested in sharing their faith—through their actions, words, and daily living. They organize prayer meetings, avoid unsavory activities, and look for ways to use their celebrity to help their communities. They establish camps for underserved children, present at speaking engagements to encourage and inspire, and volunteer with charities that share their values, and show up as a public example.
Many players are finding ways to testify, on and off the field. While public sentiment is often polarized on the personal lives and beliefs of celebrity athletes, the devout are living out their beliefs on and off the field.
Let’s examine a few of the prominent athletes who have shared their faith in significant ways and lived unapologetically into their beliefs.
Dak Prescott
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback and Mississippi State alum is often seen praying by himself or with fellow teammates before a game. In past interviews, he has said that his faith means more to him than the game, although he doesn’t necessarily like to mention it all the time. Some of his conviction comes from tragedy—his mom died when he was in his second year at college, and in her memory, he began writing “FAITH” on his wrists before each game.
Clayton Kershaw
The pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers is quick to say that all of his gifts of the game come from God and should always be thought of as an opportunity to give glory to Him. Although some players do enjoy the personal glory and adulation that comes from playing at a pro-level and being watched by millions, Kershaw tries to keep away from that kind of thinking and instead focuses on trusting God’s plan for him.
Tim Tebow
No NFL player in recent memory has been able to share their faith in such a public way as the former QB for the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets. He’s technically still a free agent but may have a decent future in pro baseball with the New York Mets. He also seems to have found a niche as a college football analyst for ESPN and continues to be a welcome speaker on the religious speaking circuits and in TV and film. While active in football, he was known for boldly talking about his strong Christian faith whenever given the opportunity, including taking a knee to pray or celebrate.
Ralph Brown
As a distinguished cornerback for several NFL teams, Ralph Brown always maintained a strong faith in God. Prior to his NFL career, the California native was a prominent player for the University of Nebraska. Even in high school, Ralph Brown earned national distinction for his speed and defensive abilities, but it is the work he’s done since playing that he feels truly distinguishes who he is as a man of faith. “My true purpose begins and ends with sharing my faith and being the man God tasked me to be,” says Brown. “To know that my athletic career has equipped me with the experiences and wisdom to mentor other athletes and coaches, to lift up young men as they meet the challenges facing them, that is the great gift and assignment I’ve ever been given. What an honor to be a vessel for change through His message.”
A.C. Green
As “Iron Man” in the NBA, A.C. Green, Jr., brought it. He still holds league records for most consecutive games played in the 1990s and 2000s. He showed his faith in an interesting way—by staying celibate. He felt it was important to avoid the temptations put in the path of professional athletes. He married after playing for sixteen seasons, and his spiritual awakening began when he was still in high school. Following his retirement, A.C. Green now focuses his efforts on the A.C. Green Youth Foundation, a charity that also encourages abstinence.
In a sea of opportunity—some positive, some elicit—the strength of character, resolve, and faith that some athletes show is often an exception instead of the rule. Understanding how faith drives athletes is a layered, complicated study, and those who bring belief to the table when fame is in their grasp are living more than the dream—they’re living their faith.
