Reclaiming the Rainbow: Athletes and Christianity

In the Genesis narrative, the rainbow is presented as a divine promise that God will never again flood the earth to wipe out living beings.

Fast forward to the 1970s, when artist Gilbert Baker designed the rainbow flag, which has since become a powerful emblem for gay rights and the LGBTQ community.

Athletes tend to reach audiences that faith-based organizations often find challenging to connect with, especially younger men.

Recently, some Christian athletes have started to reclaim this symbol, along with its broader implications.

A recent episode of A.J. Rice’s podcast, “Dangerous Laughter,” featured sports journalist Steve Eubanks discussing his new book, “Godball: How Athletes Are Saving Christianity.” Eubanks argues that professional and collegiate athletes are increasingly vocal about their Christian faith, a trend that might indicate a wider religious awakening, particularly among young men.

These athletes are now publicly praying, discussing Jesus in various interviews, and engaging with fans through social media—no longer relying solely on sports writers or networks to convey their beliefs.

This shift is significant. While athletes who endorse popular political causes often receive accolades, those who express traditional Christian values can face backlash.

For instance, Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey learned this the hard way when he was waived by the team for “conduct detrimental to the team” after he criticized the NBA’s Pride Month celebrations, labeling the LGBTQ celebration as “unrighteous.”

Similarly, Jonathan Isaac faced criticism a few years ago for standing during the national anthem instead of wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt, citing his Christian beliefs as the reason for his stance. Then there’s Tim Tebow, whose overtly Christian displays made him a divisive figure in sports long before this trend emerged.

Even Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker was met with significant backlash following a commencement speech he delivered at Benedictine College, where he defended traditional Catholic views on marriage and gender roles.

Eubanks posits that this kind of cultural resistance may ultimately bolster the movement. Athletes connect with audiences—especially young men—that religious institutions sometimes struggle to reach. Sports embody virtues like discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and selflessness, which align well with Christian principles.

The most overt instance of Christians taking back the rainbow happened earlier this summer in San Francisco.

During the Giants’ Pride Night, pitchers Landen Roupp, J.T. Brubaker, and Ryan Walker chose to write Bible verses on their rainbow-themed caps, with Roupp referencing Genesis 9:12-16—where the rainbow is mentioned as a sign of God’s promise to Noah. Another pitcher, Sam Hentges, opted out of wearing the Pride cap altogether. This led to formal warnings from Major League Baseball to the three players who modified their caps.

The situation presented an almost poetic irony: a symbol originating in Scripture as a divine promise was now being contested by athletes attempting to reclaim its initial meaning. Subsequently, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred pointed out that the Giants’ players hadn’t been adequately informed that wearing the Pride caps was not mandatory.

Eubanks views these instances as just a part of a larger trend.

There is some evidence supporting his claim. Gallup’s findings this year indicated that the number of young American men who report that religion is “very important” in their lives increased significantly, from 28% in 2022-23 to 42% in 2024-25. Notably, these young men now attend religious services at rates similar to their female counterparts.

Sporting events might be fostering this renewed interest.

Take Sophie Cunningham from the Indiana Fever, for example. She publicly identified as a “woman of God” and recently opposed transgender women playing in women’s sports, claiming young girls should not have to compete against biological males. Her comments drew criticism, but she stood firm.

This forthrightness is pivotal to the narrative that Rice and Eubanks are presenting.

Young athletes don’t need to become experts in theology; they simply need to reject the notion that Christianity should be a private matter while other beliefs can be showcased prominently.

This approach makes “Godball” particularly interesting, as athletes hold a unique position in American society. They represent excellence, discipline, competition, and loyalty—qualities that resonate with young audiences who look up to them and pay attention when they speak out.

If even a small number of these athletes begin discussing issues like Christ, marriage, family, and moral values openly, the cultural impact could extend far beyond stadium walls.

And perhaps the rainbow is an ideal starting point.

Christians have never needed anyone’s permission to remember what the rainbow originally signified.

Let these athletes, these “Godballers,” step into the role of modern-day heretics and redefine the meaning of the rainbow.