Christian athletes aren’t a new phenomenon, but the public boldness of their witness appears to be contagious and growing.
From track star Eric Liddell (“When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”) to baseball-player-turned-evangelist Billy Sunday to C.T. Studd (“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”), the famed British cricket player who gave up the sport to become a missionary, followers of Jesus have long honored the Lord in sport.
In recent years, we all remember Tim Tebow’s unapologetic defense and promotion of his Christian faith. From referencing Scripture verses in his eye black, kneeling in prayer on the sidelines, and joyfully giving thanks to his Savior in post-game interviews, the former star quarterback took lots of grief from cranks who criticized him for proselytizing on his various platforms.
The recent boldness of San Francisco Giants’ pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker, all of whom added Bible references to their teams “Pride”-themed caps, was a response to being bullied. But if it seems that some athletes are more often and more vocally acknowledging their faith in media interviews, it might just be because they are.
We’re only in the opening days of the FIFA World Cup, but after their very first match, the USA’s Mark McKenzie led his teammates in prayer after their 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USA’s Christian Pulisic is another strong Christian who often talks about his “Bible time.”
“The Bible is a big part of my life,” he recently shared on social media. “I want to use my platform in a positive way.”
Pulisic has told reporters he always feels as though the Lord is watching over him while he’s playing. “I reach out to God to give me strength. With that behind me, nothing can stop me, really.”
With an expanded 48-team format, World Cup play is expected to reach over 5 billion people. Not an insignificant portion of those soccer fans follow McKenzie and/or Pulisic or other openly Christian athletes in social media. The various platforms are rightly criticized for dispensing lots of garbage – and yet at the same time they also publish and promote the Gospel through their online forums.
The Stanley Cup Finals just wrapped up this past weekend with the Carolina Hurricanes edging out the Las Vegas Knights four games to two. Hockey players are known for being tough, rough and aggressive, but the NHL also features devout followers of Christ on nearly every team.
Carolina Hurricanes star defenseman Jaccob Slavin is one such convictional Christian. The Colorado born Slaven has been playing in the NHL since 2015. Known for his workmanlike dedication, he is well grounded.
“If the Lord wanted to take hockey away from me tomorrow, I’m still good,” he once said. “My identity’s not in this sport. My relationship with Christ is the only thing that doesn’t change.”
After Jalen Chatfield joined the Hurricanes five years ago, Slavin became a mentor to the fellow defensemen both on and off the ice.
“He’s known about all my struggles, because I was very open with him and talking to him about stuff,” Chatfield has said. “Whether it was my first year or second year, getting scratched or things like that, he’s always been there for me and he’s been my best friend.”
He also added:
“Just his guidance, and seeing how he is as a father, as a teammate, as a leader, I learned a lot from him and I appreciate (him) every single day. And especially being able to work with him, play with him. It’s special, for sure.”
Jaccob’s wife, Kylie, also wound up mentoring and discipling Jalen’s girlfriend and now wife, Drew. The Chatfields were drawn to the Slavins – and Jaccob wound up baptizing both of them in the couple’s backyard pool.
Only the Slavins brush off any credit.
“God literally did everything and just let us be a part of it,” reflected Kylie. “I think that was also so that we could never boast about it. We didn’t do anything. … It’s been cool to see God move so evidently.”
It was King David who wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). Indeed, the world is full of many hostile actors who are resistant to the Gospel. But the Lord remains in the middle of it all, working through all kinds of individuals, with all types of platforms.
From the World Cup to the Stanley Cup, the Lord’s cup is the most important and most abundant of all. May He continue to instill boldness and joy in athletes on the world stage as they share the Good News of Jesus.