Both quarterbacks – Patrick Mahomes for the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts for the Philadelphia Eagles – are outspoken about their faith, both on and off the football field.
For Mahomes, this was his fifth Super Bowl appearance in seven years in the NFL. He has won three titles – LIV, LVII and LVIII – and has received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in each of those victories.
When the Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game on January 26th, Mahomes said in a postgame interview, “I want to give all glory to God. Without Him, none of this is possible, and I truly mean that.”1
He also said in another interview during the week before Super Bowl LIX, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He’s someone that I look up to every day to decide what I want to do with my life and how I want to live my life. Jesus is everything to me.”2
Jalen Hurts, the first Eagles quarterback to play in two Super Bowls, began a postgame press conference by saying, “Thank God for the opportunity,” after the Eagles defeated the Washington Commanders this year in the NFC Championship game.3
He also said last Tuesday before Super Bowl Sunday, “I think my faith has always been a part of me, where I’ve always wanted to root myself in that and keep him in the center of my life and everything I do. Through the highs and the lows, he’s greater than all of them, and that’s something that I can always acknowledge.”
Hurts’ favorite scripture — one that he shared this year as well as two years ago — reflects on having trust in God.
“Faith is the center of everything that you do, just being grounded and rooted in that. John 13:7 has always been my favorite scripture. Jesus said, ‘you may not know now, but later you’ll understand.’ That’s always been one of my favorites.”4
Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker, is an outspoken Roman Catholic. He gave the commencement address last May at Benedictine College in Kansas, creating a media frenzy across the country when he spoke out against public figures who identify as Catholic, while openly advocating for policies and behavior that contradict Church teaching.
Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ star running back, rushed for over 2,000 yards this season. He told reporters last week that he believed there was a direct correlation this year between his growth as a Christian and his success on the football field.
He said, “I don’t think it’s ironic the year that I try to really hone in and grow in my faith, I happen to have, you know, my best season. I don’t think that’s ironic at all.”
Barkley said the Bible is something he is challenging himself to “get better at,” considering himself “really lucky” that his agent is a pastor and “able to have Bible studies with him.”
Chris Jones, one of the defensive tackles for the Chiefs, wears wristbands containing Christian messages.
One of his wristbands states, “I am second.” Jones explains that the message reflects his belief that, “I am second, God is first.”
Another wristband features the words, “I play for Him.” Jones adds, “I believe my faith is everything, and that’s what I live by.”5
A. J. Brown, the Eagles’ star wide receiver, spoke about the importance of the Bible in his life in 2023 prior to Super Bowl LVII.
He said, “I read the Bible a lot because that’s how I fight my problems. I’m not trying to stand over here and say I’m a perfect guy, because I’m not. Nobody is. But, I just lean heavy on my faith and try to let Him direct my paths.”
Brown says that the Bible verse that resonates with him is Romans 8:18, which states: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”6
In the big game last Sunday, the Eagles’ offensive and defensive lines dominated the Chiefs, enabling Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to outduel Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes was under pressure from the Eagles’ defensive line, causing him to throw two interceptions – one resulting in a “pick six” touchdown for the Eagles – and to have the ball knocked out of his hand while attempting to pass, resulting in a fumble.
The Eagles led 24 – 0 at halftime, and 27 – 0 before the Chiefs scored their first touchdown late in the 3rd quarter.
The Chiefs scored two more touchdowns in the 4th quarter, but the Eagles still won easily, 40 -22.
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