Romans 12:2 (NLT)
It can’t be easy for high profile athletes to resist the temptations that are thrown at them in ways most of us will never understand. The easy thing for them to do is to go along with the crowd! So, isn’t it satisfying to hear (the days following Super Bowl 52) about the players who were demonstrating their faith? There has been a lot of attention on several Philadelphia Eagles players as they spoke up during the week prior to the big game and immediately following their win! Nick Foles, who went from backup quarterback to Super Bowl Champion - Super Bowl MVP, wants to be a pastor after his football career. I’ve been following the Eagles this year and these statements are the real deal. This is not new! This was not a put on. These players you heard have allowed the Holy Spirit to transform them!
New England Patriot’s Brandin Cooks was injured in the 2nd quarter of the game and missed the remainder of the Super Bowl. His Tweet after the game reads “Whatever you are up to God I know it's for your glory! #thankful” If you were to go to Twitter and follow Brandin, a number of other professional football players whose profile has some reference to being Christian will pop up to possibly follow.
There is a significant number of pro players who love Christ and work to be good Christ followers. As difficult as that must be, I pray that they will all let God transform them into new persons!
There have been others throughout the years. Yes, Tim Tebow attracted a lot of attention during his days playing college football and in his NFL days. But there were others. David Robinson was a tremendous NBA superstar. He won the 1998 Championship with the San Antonio Spurs. In an article in Sports Spectrum Magazine, he described their special season. “So I was relaxed going in. I enjoyed the season, I enjoyed the guys, I was faithful to what God asked me to do, and by the end of the season we had a team that was on one page praying together.” Robinson said some new players on the team that year shrugged off those who were praying together. “But by the end of the year, every one of them, to a man, felt that prayer and God was the strength of our team.” Robinson summed it up like this, “To me, that was the glory of the Lord shining through.” He understood the championship was a blessing because he was faithful to the Lord.
Reggie White was known as the “Minister of Defense” even before he reached the NFL. He was an ordained Baptist minister before he left the University of Tennessee following an outstanding college football career. He went on to star in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and finally the Carolina Panthers. He was an outspoken Evangelical Christian in a high profile career surrounded by tremendous temptations!
Other professional sports figures also demonstrate their Christian beliefs faithfully. I grew up in Augusta Georgia and lived near Larry Mize, winner of the 1987 Masters. He is known as a faithful Christian. Over the years he has often spoken openly about his faith in Christ.
There are many other examples of athletes who are walking the walk! They don’t just talk about their faith, but they put it into action. Organizations like FCA, Cru, and The Increase give these athletes numerous opportunities to share with others. They know they have a tremendous platform for Christ and are not afraid to use it.
If you’d like to read more about athletes and their walk, I suggest two websites. First, www.theincrease.com is an online community of Pro Athletes striving to live in the Decrease of self and the Increase of Christ. 'He must Increase, but I must decrease' John 3:30. Secondly, sportsspectrum.com is a magazine that “seeks to highlight Christian athletes of all sports and levels to help motivate, encourage and inspire people in their faith through the exciting and challenging world of sports.” Both of these have frequent updates and stories from the world of sports!
Dear Lord, please give me the strength to resist the world’s attempt to mold me and instead, change me by transforming the way I think. Allow Christ to change me from within. I seek to know your Will, which is good and pleasing and perfect. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
"His faithful love endures forever."
Until next time...
Chaplain Gray
