LAS VEGAS – Super Bowl Week is about the NFL’s two best teams, its best players and most accomplished coaches. It’s always been that way throughout the 58 years the game has dominated our attention at season’s end.
Super Bowl week traditionally has also been about some outrageous parties — not to mention some ribald stuff happening around town.
But there is a counterpoint to all that. This Super Bowl week and the game that’s coming has shifted some of the attention to something more reverent. Because lately, and definitely this week, the greatest players and biggest names are sharing their faith.
And they’re sharing glory and credit for their accomplishments with Jesus Christ.
Lamar Jackson thanks his Lord
“To begin with, I need to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson stated after receiving the Related Press Most Invaluable Participant Award on the NFL Honors present on Thursday evening.
Delivered earlier than a packed theater and a nationwide tv viewers, the assertion drew applause.
“With out him, none of that is potential,” Jackson added after being acknowledged as primarily the league's finest participant throughout the common season.
And because the present stored placing the league's largest stars on stage, they stored placing Jesus Christ within the highlight.
“At the start, I need to give all of the glory and reward to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” had been the primary phrases out of Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud's mouth after accepting the AP Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Award.
CJ Stroud Daring for Jesus Christ
Stroud has made this assertion earlier than just about each interview and press convention this season. He did it throughout the week on the radio.
And generally it bothered some individuals, like these in NBC's social media division who edited the assertion throughout an on-field interview after the Sunday Night time Soccer telecast.
However not this evening. Stroud thanked the Texans, his household, Ohio State and even his dwelling area of Southern California for serving to him obtain his success.
“I'm dwelling proof that I belief your targets and your goals,” Stroud added, “and I thank God for that.”
By the way in which, the Texans additionally boast the Defensive Rookie of the 12 months. That's as a result of Will Anderson Jr. he gained the celebrated defensive award, which was introduced throughout the identical Honors present because the others.
Will Anderson makes an announcement
And just like the others, Anderson thanked God.
“To begin with, I’ve to provide all of the glory to God, man,” Anderson stated on stage. “With out Him none of that is potential, man. He deserves all the dignity and reward.”
Do you see a sample right here? As a result of it's clear that even in Sin Metropolis and in a society that threatens to darken, there are distinguished individuals who bravely characterize the sunshine.
Final yr's Tremendous Bowl additionally served for example. Each Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts — the beginning quarterbacks for this sport — had been open about their religion in God and Jesus earlier than this sport.
Effectively, Mahomes did it once more on this Tremendous Bowl. And this yr, he was joined by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who instructed reporters he prays throughout video games as properly.
“Sure, sure, I’ve,” stated Purdy. “You already know, it's not, you already know, God, can we win right here? Can we do one thing nice right here? It's simply extra having that calmness, that steadfastness in the midst of all of the chaos. That's the way in which it truly is.”
“And dip it again into, 'Holy Spirit, you already know, take me over and information me on this second. And let me assume clearly, let me, you already know, clearly undergo my readings.' And like I stated, it's sufficient to have the balanced mind-set that I'm from [the] Holy Spirit.”
Brock Purdy standing on Psalm 23
Purdy has had a wild experience this previous calendar yr. Within the NFC Championship loss to the Eagles in January 2023, he injured his elbow in his throwing arm. He required a significant Tommy John process to appropriate the damage.
And whereas he was recovering and unable to compete for his job because the staff's starter, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan instructed him the staff was contacting Tom Brady to see if he want to be the starter.
Brady declined, however with that uncertainty, elbow rehab and a season wherein he threw 31 TD passes, Purdy turned to Scripture for assist and steering.
“It was Psalm 23 for me,” he stated. “Although I stroll by way of the darkest valley, I really feel no hazard that you’re with me. Your rod and your employees consolation me. After which he additionally speaks of how God prepares a desk earlier than me, even within the presence of my enemy.” .
“So even with all this craziness occurring for me, I'm like God is with me. He's right here within the second. And it provides me peace. You already know, it simply provides me peace, steadfastness. Yeah.” , I can come again to it in these moments.”
Gamers utilizing platforms for Jesus
None of that is to say that each participant within the Tremendous Bowl is a Christian. It doesn’t imply that each profitable participant within the league is a Christian.
However it's changing into more and more clear that those that are are stepping ahead and sharing their religion. Even on the NFL's largest stage.
“I feel there are extra gamers realizing that their voice is being heard extra this present day of social media and so they're being bolder in taking a stand for Christ,” stated Jason Romano, a former ESPN producer who based the SportsSpectrum podcast. which follows Christian athletes.
“I feel it might probably have an enormous impact in reaching individuals with the hope that we are able to solely discover in Jesus. It's wonderful.”