As the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers gear up to head towards Las Vegas for the 58th annual NFL Super Bowl or Super Bowl LVIII, we will undoubtedly begin to see star-studded commercials promoting soft drink, alcohol, and snack brands, not to mention a slew of car manufacturers and dating sites.
One thing, though, I am sure we will not see promoted are the athletes participating in the Big Game for the fame and glory of Jesus Christ. Between each team’s respective 53-man roster, there are at least 5 who openly and unashamedly bear the name of Jesus.
- Brock Purdy
The 49ers quarterback does not hold back when it comes to his faith in Jesus. The 24-year-old who was picked dead last in the 2022 NFL draft and earned himself the title of “Mr. Irrelevant” will be leading his team to what could possibly be the franchise’s 8th Super Bowl victory.
In an interview with Sports Spectrum last year, the Iowa State phenom was quoted citing Mark 8:34, “Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’”
He said,
“I didn't want to grip onto this life of, ‘Oh my gosh, I'm in the NFL, I have a starting quarterback role, I'm, you know, I can't lose it … I was reminded what Jesus had told us thousands of years ago in terms of don't try to hold on to your life, you're going to lose it, you know, and the world wants you to go this way or that way.
“The minute you have fame and if you're trying to chase status and money and all this kind of stuff, it's, you'll lose your life rather than, you know, denying yourself, picking up your cross, keeping my eyes on Jesus.”
More recently, Purdy stated humbly, “My identity isn’t in football.” He went on to define his perspective as being, “God, if you want me to do great with this, great; if not, all right, let’s go do something else, wherever you need me.”
- Patrick Mahomes
The 28-year-old Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and two-time NFL MVP has long attributed his success as an athlete to his faith in Jesus. In an interview with Sports Spectrum last year ahead of Super Bowl LVII, the husband and father of two had this to say concerning his faith in connection to his abilities as a player:
"My Christian faith plays a role in everything that I do. I mean, 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 I want to make sure I'm glorifying Him while I do it.
"I know that I am here for a reason, to glorify Him. It means everything, not only about my football career but all the decisions that I've made. I have a faith backing, and I know why I am here. It's not about winning football games. It's about glorifying Him. I think it gives me that I have no pressure when I step out on that football field; I know why I am here."
- Christian McCaffrey
Currently nominated for the NFL Honors Offensive Player of the Year award, the 49ers running back isn’t afraid to showcase his love for the Lord.
“[My faith] means everything to me. My faith has gotten me where I am in life. Through all the ups and downs, I rely on God. Any time I’m having a tough day, or a bad time in my life I get back to getting in the Word – it’s got all the answers. It’s the most important thing in my life and I know it’s something that I’ll always have to lean back on and make a priority."
Riley Scott, McCaffery’s former Algebra 1 and Precalculus teacher at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado had this to say about his previous pupil’s career and faith in Jesus:
“I appreciate seeing him achieve success on the field, but more importantly, I love seeing him continue to pursue and grow in his faith, use his gifts and abilities to honor our Creator, and develop into the fine young man and soon-to-be husband that he is today. To me personally, that’s more meaningful than any accolade or championship he’s a part of.”
- Harrison Butker
The Kansas City kicker, only the second in NFL history to hold an 89.1 field goal percentage, is a Daniel among lions when it comes to his faith in Jesus. A word to describe the devoted husband, father, and athlete: bold.
After the franchise’s victory last year over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, the team was invited to the White House where Butker took a brazen stand for the sanctity of human life. Strategically, the former Carolina Panther positioned himself directly behind President Biden during his speech to congratulate the team on their big win.
No big deal, right?
Right. Until you take a closer look at his custom stitched tie which read "Vulnerari Praesidio.” A Latin phrase that, when translated to English, means: "For the protection of the vulnerable.” The phrase in conjunction with a gold pin representing the feet of a 10-week-old baby was a profound and legendary, yet peaceful, protest without even uttering a word.
In an interview in preparation for Super Bowl LVII, Butker minced no words in expressing his gratitude to the Lord:
“[Faith] is the most important thing. If I didn’t have faith in God, I don’t think I would be the father I am, the husband I am, the kicker I am. That kind of sets the tone for everything else, and everything falls under that. But that gives me the strength to do everything that I need to.
“I know that I am a child of God … you miss some kicks, and you’re like, ‘my identity can’t be all as a football player.’ So, [this year] I grew a lot in my prayer life and knowing that I’m nothing without Him. I got to lean on Him, and if He wants to take anything away from me, He can. And if he wants to add anything, He can. … It’s all up to Him.”
- Arik Armstead
49ers defensive end and 2015 first-round draft pick for the franchise, Arik Armstead, beamed in a 2020 interview with Sports Spectrum that, “[Faith] is super important to me. That’s the foundation, my backbone, everything that I believe in. [Growing up in the church] my family instilled that into me at a young age.”
The almost decade-long franchise veteran went on, “God has been blessing me tremendously in ways I couldn’t even imagine or feel like I deserve. This year, the biggest thing for me has been trying to find how he wants to use me and how I can glorify him in what I do and use my platform and resources to bless others.”
As the Chiefs and 49ers prepare to go head-to-head for the Super Bowl title this Sunday, February 11th, let’s not forget to lift up our brothers in Christ as they battle on and off the field.
