The first week of November is typically an exciting time for football fans. In college, we're getting an idea of what the post-season may look like, while the NFL is about halfway through its regular season. This last week, however, had a dark cloud hanging over it as we learned that Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland committed suicide just days after scoring a touchdown on Monday Night Football. It was a sobering reminder of what's important in life.
Football players often get a bad rap because the few bad apples typically get the attention that overshadows the good that comes from the sport. And there is so much good. Like it or not, these star athletes become role models for younger generations, and there are many little boys and girls out there who look up to them, follow their every move, and aim to be like them. That's one reason why I'm impressed when I see these young men express and embrace their faith unapologetically on their public platforms. If a 12-year-old boy hears his favorite quarterback talk about Jesus and that becomes a springboard for his own faith, it's a good thing.
One of those quarterbacks is the Cowboys' Dak Prescott. My colleague and PJ Media's resident Dallas fan Scott Pinsker pointed out something on Saturday that crossed many football fans' minds this week. Prescott, who, as starting quarterback, is the team's de factor leader, dealt with a similar situation in 2020, when his older brother Jace committed suicide at the age of 31. Knowing that, Kneeland's death must have hit him even harder.
Prescott's strong Christian faith has helped him through numerous tough situations in the past, including his brother's suicide and the death of his mother to colon cancer in 2013. There's no doubt that it is helping him now, as he mourns the loss of his teammate and helps the other players get through this challenging time.
The Dallas quarterback has reportedly said in the past that sharing his testimony still makes him a little nervous, but he believes it's what he's called to do so that he can inspire others on their journey and bring them closer to their faith.
In 2023, he said that one of his favorite Bible verses was Luke 12:48, which says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." And he truly lives it. Today, Prescott has his own foundation, Faith Fight Finish Foundation, which focuses on colon cancer research, mental health advocacy and suicide prevention, supporting law enforcement, and helping people facing hardship due to life-changing situations.
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Prescott isn't the only big name in the NFL who talks the talk and walks the walk. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes became a Christian in middle school. He was baptized in the seventh grade after becoming involved with his church's youth group.
"My faith has always been a big part of what I do," Mahomes said during an interview once. "I’ve grown up in church, and faith really helps you know why you’re playing the game, and who you’re doing it for."
Like Prescott, Mahomes doesn't just talk about it. He lives it through giving back to his community. Whether he's donating meals to food banks, setting up mentorship programs for kids, or encouraging reading and literacy through his 15 and Mahomies Foundation, he's always finding ways to serve.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has made it clear that ultimately football isn't all that important. His life is all about Jesus. In 2019, shortly after winning the College Football National Championship with the Clemson Tigers, Lawrence said:
Football's important to me, obviously, but it’s not my life. It’s not the biggest thing in my life. I would say my faith is. That just comes from knowing who I am outside of that. No matter how big the situation is, it’s not really going to define me. I put my identity in who Christ thinks I am and who I know He says I am... so at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter what people think about me or how good they think I play. That’s definitely been a big thing for me, in my situation, just knowing that and having confidence in that
In an interview with the Times-Union last year, Lawrence even said that he'd rather be known for his faith than his skills on the field. "It’s something I really want to be known about me," he said. "I wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for my faith or my relationship with Jesus."
I have to admit that I was never a big fan of Houston Texans' quarterback C.J. Stroud when he was at Ohio State, due to some rivalry stuff with my Georgia Bulldogs, but his willingness to talk about his faith since entering the NFL has won me over. In 2023, during his rookie year, he said the following at a press conference:
A lot of people don’t get to live the life I do. It’s hard, don’t get me wrong. It’s hard, but it’s a privilege, man. I’m blessed enough to wake up every day — to walk, to talk, to smell, to interact with people, to play football. These are all things we take for granted from a day-to-day basis, but I try to do my best to thank God through all that because of His grace and His mercy. He laid His life on the cross for us. I really believe that. This is bigger than just ball, and if I have to use football for my purpose — to spread the Gospel and the life of Jesus Christ — then I’ll do that. And I think that’s what God wants.
After the game yesterday, @CJ7STROUD openly talked about his purpose to use football to spread the gospel and the life of Jesus Christ! pic.twitter.com/rUzfUEgknQ
— The Athletes' Corner (@AthletesCorner_) September 18, 2023
Stroud has also said that many of his fellow players have reached out to him, thanking him for being such an outspoken Christian. His response? "I’m not doing it to look cool. I’m doing it because that’s what God called me to do."
The Texans player has also been honest about his faith, saying that, at times, it became routine, but now, he makes sure it comes from his heart. He grew up in a Christian household, but he said it wasn't until college that he got serious about it. A couple of his Ohio State teammates invited him to church. He said that after a few minutes of praise and worship, he fell to his knees in tears because he knew he was not on the right path and had to reevaluate his relationship with God. He kept going to church.
Last but not least, I'd be remiss if I didn't list of my favorites, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins has only been with the Falcons for a couple of seasons, but he is well-loved here in Atlanta off the field because he's such a kind and humble guy. He's also a man of strong faith. Rather than speak for Cousins, I'm going to let him do the talking. Here's a great interview with Focus on the Family in which he talks about his own journey and "the importance of discipleship and evangelism in impacting the culture." I think many of you will really enjoy it.
