From left: Bijan Robinson, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Brock Purdy, Demario Davis, Lamar Jackson. (AP Images)
Because the 2024 NFL season kicks off, optimism abounds for each participant and workforce. They hope this would be the season they’ve envisioned and educated for.
Maybe within the NFL greater than some other skilled sports activities league, a lot of these gamers are additionally outspoken followers of Christ. It might be close to unattainable to listing all of them, however listed below are 15 (in no explicit order) to look at this season.
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Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson’s six years in Baltimore have been one of many golden eras in Ravens historical past. With Jackson on the helm, the workforce has posted a successful report and made the playoffs in all however one season (2021, after they went 8-9), and Jackson has made three Professional Bowls and gained two NFL MVPs within the course of (2019, 2023). Nevertheless, a visit to the Tremendous Bowl has alluded Jackson and his workforce. With quite a few key returners, Jackson believes the 2024 marketing campaign might be the 12 months the Ravens lastly break by way of. When requested in 2019 how he stays humble regardless of his success, Jackson answered, “The Lord. I give Him all His reward, the glory, the distinction. … In case you really feel such as you’re greater than the Lord, that’s when all that success dies, it goes away. You bought to let Him know He’s the explanation you [have had] that a lot success.”
THANK GOD🙏🏾✍🏾#Cantthankhimenough #Truzz pic.twitter.com/3GGZszNWge
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) May 4, 2023
Justin Simmons, Atlanta Falcons security
Justin Simmons proved himself repeatedly to be among the finest safeties within the NFL throughout his eight seasons with the Denver Broncos, incomes two Professional Bowl (2020, 2023) and 4 second-team All-Professional (2019, 2021-23) choices, and sharing the NFL lead with six interceptions in 2022. He has a formidable 30 interceptions in his profession. Now on the age of 30, after having been waived by the Broncos in March and signed by the Falcons in August, Simmons is raring to show he’s nonetheless among the finest defensive gamers within the league. What’s extra, he noticed God’s faithfulness even throughout uncertainty about his NFL future. “God is so good,” Simmons said in June. “I’m so grateful for this time and for His faithfulness by way of slowing me down and never taking issues with no consideration. This offseason has been such a blessing.”
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles extensive receiver
Philadelphia, the Metropolis of Brotherly Love, has proven nothing however love for A.J. Brown because the 27-year-old was traded from the Titans to the Eagles through the 2022 NFL Draft. In Philly, Brown has eclipsed 1,400 receiving yards in each 2022 and 2023 whereas scoring 18 touchdowns and being chosen to the Professional Bowl each seasons (he additionally made the Professional Bowl in 2020). Brown’s 1,456 receiving yards a 12 months in the past was the fifth-most within the NFL. He’ll search to proceed his success because the Eagles search to earn a spot within the Tremendous Bowl for the second time in three seasons. Earlier than the Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl LVII loss to Kansas Metropolis, Brown told Sports Spectrum that “I had plans and God had different plans. I strive to not lean alone understanding. I learn the Bible rather a lot as a result of that’s how I combat my issues. I’m not making an attempt to face up right here and be an ideal man as a result of I’m not; no one is. However I simply lean closely on my religion and attempt to let Him direct my paths.”
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers quarterback
It’s troublesome to consider Brock Purdy is coming into simply his third season as a member of the 49ers. From being “Mr. Irrelevant” in the 2022 NFL Draft to overcoming a season-ending injury to being an MVP candidate to losing in a Super Bowl, Purdy has had extra experiences than many gamers of their total careers. Now coming off that Tremendous Bowl loss however with many key teammates returning, Purdy and his 49ers consider they’ll shut the deal in 2024 and win the franchise’s sixth Tremendous Bowl (however first since 1994). Via the highs and lows of his profession, Purdy has given glory to Jesus Christ. “In case you’re making an attempt to chase standing and cash and all this type of stuff, you’ll lose your life, fairly than denying yourself, selecting up your cross, conserving your eyes on Jesus and His guarantees,” Purdy said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in February 2023. “That’s a life value residing.”
“I have already got what I want from the Good Shepherd in Jesus.”
As we speak, Sports activities Spectrum talks with @49ers QB Brock Purdy about Psalm 23 and the way scripture impacts his day by day life. https://t.co/3QD2o4NT4V pic.twitter.com/z8cLUEpDyf
— Sports activities Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) February 7, 2024
Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints linebacker
Demario Davis has been terrorizing NFL offenses for 12 seasons now, racking up 1,257 mixed tackles and remodeling himself into among the finest and most revered leaders within the league. And the scariest half? He’s solely getting higher with age. The 35-year-old has surpassed 100 tackles in every of his six seasons in New Orleans, and he was both a first- or second-team All-Professional in every of the final 5. Davis’ time in New Orleans has additionally seen him develop into one of the crucial outspoken followers of Christ within the NFL. “Why am I nonetheless taking part in? It’s as a result of God isn’t completed with what He’s doing with me within the sport but,” Davis said on Fox Sports Radio final month. “I’ll play so long as He tells me to maintain going, as a result of it’s Him that’s extending my platform as a result of He is aware of what I’m gonna do with it. He is aware of each time I get in a seat like this, I’m gonna give glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders kicker
After three consecutive seasons through which he made greater than 90% of his discipline targets, Daniel Carlson took a slight step again in 2023, making 86.7%. The 29-year-old two-time All-Professional is getting ready for 2024 to seem like 2020, when he made a career-best 94.3% of his discipline targets — or like 2022, when he completed third within the NFL in factors scored and made a formidable 11 of 13 discipline targets from past 50 yards. Carlson has additionally spoken about his religion, thanking God for the methods he’s seen His goodness all through his profession and incessantly referencing his favourite Bible passage, Proverbs 3:5-6. “It’s such a cool, surreal expertise to look again on all that God has given me,” he said in 2018. “Enjoying is my type of worship. It’s how I glorify Him. And all of that is so a lot better than I ever anticipated.” He additionally appeared on the Sports Spectrum Podcast this June.
Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings security
California native Camryn Bynum hasn’t appeared too bothered by the Minnesota chilly to date in his three-year NFL profession. He was a full-time starter by 2022, he’s snagged 5 interceptions within the league, and in 2023 he led all NFL non-linebackers with a whopping 137 mixed tackles. Bynum will look to construct on that in 2024, earn his first Professional Bowl choice, and assist the Vikings end above .500 and return to the playoffs after lacking out in 2023. Bynum, who has Filipino heritage, is enthusiastic about supporting the folks of the Philippines, and for him, all of it begins with Christ. “The mission was to serve God firstly,” Bynum said final season about carrying cleats to help the Bynum Household Basis he and his household started. “… Our religion is our basis, and that’s the place we wish to begin with any sort of serving. That’s the No. 1 factor.”
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons quarterback
In a 12-year NFL profession through which he’s typically defied the chances, Kirk Cousins is hoping to do it once more in 2024. Now in a Falcons uniform after signing with Atlanta in March, and coming off of a season-ending Achilles injury final October, together with his apparent successor ready within the wings, the 36-year-old four-time Professional Bowler believes he can nonetheless carry out on the stage he’s grown accustomed to all through his spectacular profession. This time, he hopes all of it culminates in a visit to the Tremendous Bowl that has for thus lengthy eluded him. But regardless of his need for soccer success, Cousins has spoken all through his prolonged profession of the goodness, grace and sufficiency of Jesus Christ in his life. And he calls any who would pay attention to reply to the Gospel as nicely. “The Bible makes it very clear that one of the best resolution you’ll ever make, far past the place to throw a soccer, is the choice of who would be the Grasp of your life,” Cousins said at the 2020 Super Bowl Breakfast. “Will you enable Jesus Christ to develop into Lord of your life, and have management of your life? And can you serve Him?”
“Each the wins and the losses develop into nice alternatives to acknowledge who God is in your life.”
Don’t miss at the moment’s episode on the pod with @Vikings quarterback @KirkCousins8 for dialog on his 2022 season and representing Christ. Hyperlink under! https://t.co/h0mEyBYPfq pic.twitter.com/IEeu5rn30o
— Sports activities Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) March 31, 2023
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers security
A four-time Professional Bowler, Minkah Fitzpatrick missed career-high seven video games final 12 months as he handled hamstring and knee accidents. Having him again for extra of the season will solely enhance a protection that ranked sixth within the NFL in factors allowed final season (19.1 per sport). Regardless of lacking vital time on the sector, his work away from the sector was honored, as Fitzpatrick obtained the Bart Starr Award, given yearly to a participant who greatest exemplifies excellent character and management within the house, on the sector, and in the neighborhood. “I’m nothing however a product of a person who sits on the ft of Jesus, on the foot of the cross and lets Him mildew his coronary heart, mildew his thoughts,” he said in his acceptance speech.
Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens operating again
After eight years, 4 Professional Bowls and 9,502 speeding yards (plus 90 touchdowns) with the Tennessee Titans, Derrick Henry will swimsuit up for the Ravens in 2024. He’s 30, an age at which many within the NFL consider operating backs begin to break down, however he has a historical past of sturdiness; 2021 is the one season through which Henry has missed a couple of sport. He’s surpassed 1,000 yards speeding in 5 of the previous six years (that ’21 season being the exception), and now joins a Ravens workforce that led the NFL in speeding final season (156.5 yards per sport). QB Lamar Jackson led that speeding assault, however now hopes to have Henry carry extra of the load. “I at all times really feel linked to God,” Henry said in 2022. “I wouldn’t be the place I’m at the moment with out the Man Upstairs. So me placing that cross on my face, that’s simply an additional recognition to the Man Upstairs. I put God first in the whole lot I do, and I wouldn’t be the place I’m with out Him.”
Get up thank the Lord & ask him for steerage . #Everyday
— Derrick Henry (@KingHenry_2) January 14, 2016
Alex Anzalone, Detroit Lions linebacker
Because the Lions captured their first NFC North title in 30 years in 2023, Alex Anzalone performed a key position. He set profession highs with 129 complete tackles, 85 solo tackles and three sacks; it marked his second straight season getting 125 tackles. Now, the Lions have Tremendous Bowl aspirations after reaching the NFC Championship Sport however blowing a 24-7 lead. They’ll as soon as once more be led by Anzalone, who’s been named a captain every of the three years he’s been in Detroit. And he’ll be led by his religion, which has grown stronger since having two youngsters but in addition enduring a miscarriage together with his spouse, Lindsey. “I believe simply the religion basis that we had inside our relationship and likewise simply the belief we had in God and having God is certainly what helped us get by way of that darkish time,” he mentioned on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in June.
“I actually didn’t discover my religion personally till faculty and looking out again on it I believe that’s actually the place my basis was.”
As we speak on the pod, we chat with @DetroitLions linebacker @AlexAnzalone34 about religion, fatherhood, and soccer.https://t.co/SIYgF62yJs pic.twitter.com/Ka6cOuorYS
— Sports activities Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) June 7, 2024
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans quarterback
The No. 2 general choose within the 2023 NFL Draft, C.J. Stroud met (and infrequently exceeded) nearly any expectation the Texans may have had for his first 12 months. He led the league in passing yards per sport (273.9); set the single-game report for passing yards by a rookie quarterback (470); completed with 4,557 complete passing yards, the second-most in NFL historical past for a rookie, and a complete that included two postseason video games, the Texans’ first playoff look in 4 years; and he was named a Professional Bowler and the Offensive Rookie of the 12 months. All through all of it, Stroud boldly professed is religion in Christ. “I do consider within the excellent One,” he said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in August. “And He’s the One who retains me humble. He’s the One who gave me my skills and He’ll get the glory for it proper again.”
“That was once I began to essentially attempt to discover Christ for who he was in my life.”
Catch our dialog with @HoustonTexans QB @CJ7STROUD about taming the tongue and Christ’s influence on his life in our newest podcast!https://t.co/uLTkAcAyiD pic.twitter.com/KkoI11LV3K
— Sports activities Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) August 3, 2024
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals defensive finish
Trey Hendrickson has earned Professional Bowl nods yearly since he joined Cincinnati in 2021. He turned in a career-high 14 sacks that first season, however adopted up with solely eight in 2022, despite the fact that that also led the Bengals protection. Final season, he rebounded with a career-high 17.5, which was second within the NFL. Cincy missed the playoffs after two consecutive AFC Championship Sport appearances, so Hendrickson will likely be seemed upon to steer the Bengals again. “My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is extra to me than simply soccer,” Hendrickson said in 2022. “… So it’s a kind of issues that something that I do on the sector is to glorify Him, by way of Him for Him for His glory.”
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons operating again
It’s the start of a brand new period in Atlanta with new head coach Raheem Morris and new quarterback Kirk Cousins, however the Falcons are constructing upon a younger core of playmakers. Atop that group is Bijan Robinson, the No. 8 overall pick from 2023 who rushed for 976 yards, added 487 receiving yards, and totaled eight touchdowns as a rookie. He hopes to be an enormous motive Atlanta will get into the postseason for the primary time in seven years. After the Falcons chosen him within the draft, Robinson made certain to present glory to God, and he’s continued since. His Twitter bio says, “God is the one approach,” and his banner picture options six phrases: “Religion. Imagine. Belief. Let God Work!” His Instagram bio reads, “Belief within the Lord” and “Let’s make God well-known!”
Can solely stay life for God! He’ll bless you endlessly🤘🏽✝️ https://t.co/Nv6Uvbwru1
— Bijan Robinson (@Bijan5Robinson) April 15, 2024
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos quarterback
The final of six quarterbacks taken within the 2024 draft’s first spherical, Bo Nix (No. 12 overall) will likely be one in every of three rookie QBs to begin in Week 1. He’s additionally the primary rookie starter to open a season at QB for the Broncos since John Elway in 1983, and he was named a workforce captain, making him the primary Broncos rookie to earn such an honor since Floyd Little in 1967. It’s new territory — but it’s not. He grew to become a beginning QB on his highschool workforce when he was nonetheless in eighth grade, and have become the primary true freshman to begin a season at quarterback for Auburn since 1946. Via the numerous soccer video games he’s performed main as much as his professional debut, Nix has leaned on Christ. “My religion is de facto vital to me,” he said in his first press conference with the Broncos. “I’ve at all times been a faith-based particular person. I consider that God has a plan for me and my life. I really consider that He has set this path in entrance of me, and He put me right here in Denver for a motive.”
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