Colorado head coach Deion Sanders maintained his faith-centric outlook on football after a blowout loss to Oregon Saturday, praising God in a postgame news conference and continuing that approach on social media, where he said he thanks Jesus, win or lose.
Saturday’s game was the first for the Horned Frogs since making their College Football Playoff National Championship game appearance earlier this year. Meanwhile, the Colorado Buffaloes had only won one game last season and had not previously scored a top 20 win since 2002.
Deion Sanders, 56, was named head coach at Colorado in December after leading Jackson State (Miss.) to records of 11-2 and 12-0 in his last two seasons. Prior to that, he worked as a football analyst on television. He is one of the more outspoken Christians in sports.
As a cultural apologist, I would add that the parallels between watching American football and participating in American religion are noteworthy. On a typical Sunday, 100 million Americans (30 percent) watch an NFL game, roughly the same percentage as attend worship (28 percent). Most who participate in either activity engage in a transactional experience.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes thanked God for healing his ankle ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship game as his team defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20, advancing to the Super Bowl.
The rookie quarterback who has surprised NFL observers by guiding the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship says his Christian faith has given him peace and confidence amidst the spotlight.
The all-star quarterback who has made Buffalo a favorite for the Super Bowl says Damar Hamlin's frightening collapse has led to his own "spiritual awakening."
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on Tuesday quoted the Bible and declared, "ain't nothing gonna steal my joy," three days after his team suffered one of the worst losses in his tenure.
The senior quarterback who has led Tennessee into the Top 5 while vaulting into Heisman Trophy contention said this week his pregame prayers focus on family, health and gratitude.
Former Washington state high school assistant football coach Joe Kennedy, who was fired in 2015 for praying on the field after games, will be reinstated at the school in March 2023.
