The NFL season has all but wrapped, and with a somewhat lackluster Super Bowl matchup looming, it is difficult to call 2023 a compelling season for American football. Injuries ravaged many of the teams that were expected to compete, and poor officiating dogged the league, leading many to question the integrity of the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs and Taylor Swift will face off against Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, but aside from a few intriguing storylines, the game lacks the compelling elements of years past.
That isn’t to say there weren’t compelling stories during the season. The league and fans were treated to a new crop of stars and several current players who displayed a fearless desire to praise God and thank the almighty for the blessings they are currently experiencing. It was a welcome break from a league that featured too much kneeling for alleged social injustice and not enough kneeling to honor God.
There are a number of players who regularly pray pre and post-game, and there are organized Christian groups in the NFL. However, what we have lacked are players who aren’t afraid to display their faith before a national audience. It is hard to blame them, considering the difficulties faced by Tim Tebow during his NFL career.
Tebow faced criticism and consternation from critics and networks who weren’t willing to give God the praise and airtime He deserved. In 2023, however, it appears the tide has turned. No less than five of the starting Playoff quarterbacks are devout Christians, and the most vocal and visible is likely to be crowned the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
C.J. Stroud electrified NFL fans and revived a moribund Texan franchise to the tune of a Wild Card Playoff win, turning the franchise around in a single season. Topping that, Stroud was also one of the most humble, likable players the league has featured in years. The soft-spoken star also was always quick to give thanks and praise to his Lord and Savior, even if the networks weren’t on board.
After the Texans’ home win over the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card game, Stroud praised Jesus Christ first and foremost on the NBC post-game broadcast. This is nothing unusual for the Christian star, but what the woke network did after has drawn criticism and consternation from conservatives and religious NFL fans. Despite the fact Stroud led with Christ, NBC chose to clip the exchange and feature the star quarterback praising Houston on the network’s social media.
Stroud was recently asked about the incident, and he displayed the traits that make him so likable when he said: “I love everybody. Christ has called us to love one another and just shine a light. That comes from Him. I really just really want to show that love and just really want people to experience my experience with finding Christ for you all and having that relationship with Him. I just really want to show love and show people what I stand for. I pray for everybody, and I don’t really have any feeling toward it. I just pray for everyone.”
Stroud could have taken the moment to criticize the woke network but instead chose to take the high road. He offered grace, forgiveness, and the sort of high moral fiber that has made him a fan favorite. NFL fans and Christians are fortunate that they will have players like Brock Purdy, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and C.J. Stroud to represent the best of Christian values and high-level athletic skill for at least the next decade.
Watch stroud speak about his faith here:
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