Leadership Thought: Who Are You Rooting for at Tomorrow Night’s Super Bowl Game?

Dear Friends,

As a former athlete and high school coach and athletic director, I am always happy to see athletes who are unashamed to share their faith, both on and off the field.

It was the witness of football Hall of Famer, Bart Starr that was instrumental in my decision to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior while attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Conference in 1962 in Lake Geneva, Wis., so I personally know that sport's figures can have a powerful Christian impact.

While coaching high school basketball and football, I always invited our opponents to meet at the end of the game- on the field or court-win or lose- to join our team as we gathered to pray and thank God for the ability, He had given us to play a game we love.

I applaud those athletes today who are willing to speak freely about their faith and share how their faith has impacted their lives. 

Yesterday I watched a television interview with a reporter who had been interviewing many of the players on both the Eagles who were believers. Each player was unapologetic about his faith, and  each expressed a desire to use sports as a platform to proclaim his faith in Jesus.

Both team quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes are followers of Jesus, as are a large contingent of other teammates on both sides of the of the field. Players like Saquon Barclay,  A.J. Brown, Harrison Butker and Chris Jones were just a few of the  many players mentioned who are serious about living out their faith in Jesus.

Tavia Hunt, the co-owner with her husband of the Chiefs, commented on how she was praying that God would use the Super Bowl to impact the lives of sports fans everywhere. She quoted the famous prayer of Jabez from 1 Chronicles 4:10 in which  Jabez prays for God's blessing and guidance and for his people's ability to move beyond the limitations of their current circumstances and experience God's abundant provision. That was the prayer she was praying-that God would use the Super Bowl for good and for His glory.

Sports Spectrum recently  surveyed 1,540 U.S. adults about their views on a whole wide range of issues, including faith in sports, and the survey found that 56% of sports fans are supportive of athletes sharing their faith with another 33% neutral and only 12% being unsupportive. 

Fans today are more interested than ever in hearing about the lives of those involved in the sports’ world.

There was a survey conducted by a communication firm  between January 24-30^th of this year, among religious and non-religious U.S. adults who watch sports at least a few times a month. 

"These findings underscore a real opportunity for athletes to connect with fans on a deeper level by sharing their beliefs and values," said Sports Spectrum president Steve Stenstrom. "Whether it's their faith, charitable initiatives, or personal convictions, fans are eager for meaningful engagement beyond the game."

According to the survey, “a whopping 74% of people are supportive of players who use their platforms to promote non-profit causes that matter to them. Fans want to see people of good character, not just excellent players both on and off the field." (taken from the internet).

While I pastored seven years in Philadelphia and have always been an Eagles fan (Yes, I know about those notoriously evil Philly ‘Boo Birds), I have to admit that I will not be rooting for  the Eagles or the Chiefs, for Hurts or Mahomes. Instead, I am choosing to root for Jesus, and for anyone on the field who has an opportunity to glorify Him through their words  and actions. I want the only winner tomorrow night to be my Savior.

As Patrick Mahomes comments, “While I do not deny my desire to win every game, I seek to use my platform for glorifying God every time I’m out there . This is an important aspect of my professional career….Without Him, none of this is possible.”

To God be the glory.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom