Sport and Faith newsletter 1

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Sport Faith
April 05, 2025

Your Weekly Round-Up

Here's your weekly round-up of how Christian athletes have been using their platforms to point people to Jesus! God is doing amazing things through sports and we’re excited to share the latest stories with you.

This week’s round-up includes:

  • College basketball players praising God during March Madness

  • A prayer from an NFL player on The Pat McAfee Show

  • Brock Purdy revealing his ‘secret weapon’ in the NFL

  • A soccer player’s bible verse headband

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
TCU’s Hailey Van Lith and Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker gave God the glory despite NCAA Tournament defeats

It’s been so special to see these young athletes pointing to Jesus while opening up about their vulnerabilities.

Hailey Van Lith in particular bravely opened up about trials she went through that helped draw her nearer to God.

“I really praise God for the struggle and suffering”.

Hailey Van Lith

Her words remind us of these verses from James 1:2-4:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

The bible doesn’t shy away from the fact that we will suffer, but these struggles are what truly help us to depend on God.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Auburn men’s basketball players gave praise to the Lord after clinching a spot in the Final Four

Firstly, Auburn players Johni Broom and Chaney Johnson praised God in their postgame press conference.

Dylan Cardwell then brought coach Bruce Pearl to tears with this statement on Auburn’s faith.

“You don’t know sacrifice if you don’t know Jesus Christ.”

Dylan Cardwell

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
LSU star Flau’Jae Johnson opened up about drawing closer to God after defeat in their Elite Eight game

“Even in this moment of defeat, I’m still like thank you Jesus”

Flau’Jae Johnson

In John 15:5, Jesus says:

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

It’s only when we remain in Jesus that we can become more like him.

We can’t become “better” in our own strength, but only by being transformed by God’s grace. 🙌

NFL
There was a prayer on The Pat McAfee Show 🙏

Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson was a guest on the popular ESPN broadcast, and as a Christian was asked to pray to close out the segment.

“To you be the glory, honor and power forever and ever, Amen.”

Trey Hendrickson

NFL
Brock Purdy opened up on how his faith in God gives him peace when playing in the NFL

The San Francisco 49ers QB appeared on the Sports Spectrum podcast.

“God wants us to take our emotions and feelings to Him... It's like our secret weapon in football."

Brock Purdy

SOCCER
Memphis Depay boldly proclaimed his faith by wearing a headband with 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

A wonderful reminder that through Christ, we are made new.

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