Former NFL players note that today’s athletes are more vocal about their Christian faith than in previous decades. This shift can be attributed to social media, which has helped amplify their voices, as well as earlier athletes who made public expressions of faith more commonplace.
Benjamin Watson, who played for 15 years with the New England Patriots and three other teams, transitioned to media and faith advocacy after retiring. He currently works as a college football analyst for the SEC Network and serves as editor-in-chief of Sports Spectrum, a media outlet that focuses on the intersection of faith and sports. During Super Bowl week, Sports Spectrum will collaborate with Compassion International to highlight global advocacy for children.
The landscape of faith within sports has changed significantly since Tim Tebow, widely recognized for his public declarations of faith in postgame interviews. Now, it’s common for players like CJ Stroud from Houston, Treveyon Henderson from New England, and Brock Purdy from San Francisco to openly share their beliefs after games. This trend is also evident in other sports and at the college level.
Watson, drafted from Georgia in 2004 and an NFL player until 2019, mentioned that, “Social media plays a huge role in this.” Nowadays, it’s quite normal for athletes to share Bible verses in their bios and discuss their faith online.
“It’s becoming more accepted now,” he added.
A recent survey found that 56 percent of Americans support athletes discussing their faith publicly.
Watson observed that while playing, there was respect for faith, but the visibility and acceptance have certainly increased in recent years. He believes that having a few people openly express their beliefs encourages others to do the same, diminishing the fear around discussing faith in postgame contexts.
Reflecting on his college days, Watson shared that he was inspired by fellow Christian athletes and their testimonies, mentioning figures like Reggie White and Kurt Warner. “We didn’t have the same platforms for sharing faith that we do now,” he noted.
He pointed out that the pressures of sports often lead athletes to seek something beyond themselves for strength and purpose. “In high-pressure situations, people often search for support from outside sources,” he said, suggesting that it’s in those moments people are more attuned to hear divine guidance.
Watson emphasized that modern platforms allow athletes to reach a broader audience with their faith. “We live in a time where information can be shared easily, which enables us to promote the message of Christ in various ways,” he remarked. “That’s encouraging for every believer.”
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