“My faith has always been a part of me. I’ve always wanted to root myself in that and keep Him in the center of my life and everything that I do. So through the highs and the lows, He’s greater than all of them, and that’s something that I can always acknowledge.” -Eagles QB and MVP Jalen Hurts

After the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, key fixtures in the year’s biggest football game openly gave all the glory to God.

Case-in-point: Eagles Coach Nick Sirianni immediately credited the Lord while accepting the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday after his team’s big 40-22 victory.

“All glory to God,” Sirianni said.

And that’s not all. The victorious coach also told Fox Sports reporter Tom Rinaldi that he and his team feel truly “blessed” and grateful for their talent and accomplishments.

“God’s blessed us very much,” Sirianni said. “He gave us all the talents to be able to get here, so first and foremost, thanks to Him. … Thank God, thank You Jesus.”

And Sirianni wasn’t alone in looking above following the team’s big win.

Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after completing two touchdowns and 17 of the 22 passes, also praised God for the victory.

“God is good—He’s greater than all the highs and the lows,” Hurts said as he took home the Pete Rozelle Trophy. “Couldn’t be here without my teammates. The effort, the determination everybody displayed to get to this point.”

He continued, “It’s never been about what any one of us does, it’s always been about what we do and how we’re responding to certain things.”

Hurts’ comment about the “highs and the lows” is one he’s made before. In fact, leading up to Sunday’s game, Sports Spectrum quoted him referencing this very statement while speaking about the importance of faith in his life.

“My faith has always been a part of me,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to root myself in that and keep Him in the center of my life and everything that I do. So through the highs and the lows, He’s greater than all of them, and that’s something that I can always acknowledge.”

What’s perhaps most interesting about both the Eagles and Chiefs is that numerous members of both teams often speak about Christianity and faith.

Before Sunday’s big game, CBN News noted how Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has also openly given glory to Jesus.

“It’s important to me every single day,” he said. “It’s not about football, it’s just giving glory to God for being able to walk around and live my life, to have a beautiful family, to be able to have the impact on others and I’m going to use that stage and that platform win or lose to give glory back to Him, to hopefully bring others closer to Him and that they can have the same love for life that I have because of that.”

And Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson has also spoken about the “humbling” position he’s in on the team, as he seeks the Lord’s guidance each and every day.

“Each day and especially each game I just say ‘God use me for Your glory’ and that doesn’t mean winning football games always but just to be in a position and this platform and knowing it’s by His grace and His providence is just, is just know that He’s treating me much better than anything I deserve,” he said.

Plus, who can forget the intense controversy surrounding Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker after his viral Benedictine College commencement speech last year during which he accused former president Joe Biden of vocally supporting the “murder” of the unborn, and also lamented “dangerous gender ideologies,” among other issues.
Sources:BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS

http://theendtimeradio.com

In the world of collegiate football, it appears Jesus is going on a blitz.

Several young football players have, in recent days, used the publicity from their games as a way to point fans and viewers toward the Gospel — a holy interference that seems to be gaining momentum.

Athletes from a host of teams are speaking out about their faith in God.

Ahmed Hassanein, a defensive end for the Boise State Broncos, offered perhaps the most powerful testimony after his team’s loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

“First, I want to start off and say, all glory to Jesus Christ,” he said. “He’s the true champion.”

Hassanein then turned to his defensive coach, Deion Barnes, telling him, “Coach D, you changed my life. … I did not know God until I got to Boise State.”

The player went on to give a succinct Gospel presentation, telling the reporters gathered at the press conference that “Jesus Christ is the only true God,” who “died and rose from the dead three days later.”

“That’s the champion that I serve,” he added, nearly in tears.

Hassanein was hardly alone in his reflections on Jesus.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard immediately pointed to his Christian faith when a reporter asked him for his reaction to his team winning the Rose Bowl.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “You know, first and foremost, I’ve gotta thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage and here, in the Rose Bowl. A younger me would be in awe right now.”

Howard’s bold comments come months after, as CBN News reported, players with the Ohio State football team led a massive revival on campus, prompting scores of baptisms.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard — after his team’s win in the Sugar Bowl — made similar comments.

He told ESPN, “First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him, I wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be here as a whole group. … I’m just so grateful for this opportunity.”

Then there are those whose actions spoke just as loudly as others’ words.

North Carolina-based Pastor Derwin Gray, a former collegiate and professional football player, wrote on X that “something incredible is happening” in response to a clip of Texas Longhorns running back Nick Sanders asking Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, “Can I pray for you?”

The faith-filled moment, during which the two young men knelt together, came after Texas bested Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on Wednesday.

And just ahead of the kickoff of the Gator Bowl, players with the Ole Miss football team knelt together in prayer — a powerful moment presumably prompted by head coach Lane Kiffin, who is Christian.

Kiffin told Sports Spectrum in 2022 it’s his faith in God that he’s “defined by,” explaining, “How am I being as a kid to the Lord, as His son? I’m not great at it, but, when I do that, that puts things in perspective for me a lot.”

What an encouragement to see so many athletes using their platforms to bring honor and attention to God. Please pray their actions and words minister to those who see and hear them.
Sources:faithwire

http://theendtimeradio.com

English soccer player Marc Guéhi was slapped Saturday with a warning from the Football Association after the Crystal Palace center-back wore an armband emblazoned with the phrase, “I love Jesus.”

The team captain wrote the Christian saying on a band decorated with rainbow colors, intended to represent the LGBTQ flag, according to ESPN.

FA rules allow “initiative slogans/emblems promoting the game of football, respect, and integrity,” but prohibit players from wearing clothing or gear displaying “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.”

While the association reminded Guéhi and Crystal Palace of their responsibilities as an athlete and team, respectively, neither will face any formal action for the armband in question.

A spokesperson for the FA said in a statement no official warning was given after Guéhi wore the band with the three-word phrase during his team’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.

“Marc Guehi has not received an official warning from us,” said the FA representative. “We have contacted Crystal Palace to formally remind them and Marc Guehi that the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots, or other equipment of any religious message is prohibited as stated in Rule A4 of our kit and advertising regulations.”

The rainbow armband — without “I love Jesus” written on it — is apparently viewed differently by the FA.

Printed with the colors of the rainbow and issued to all 20 Premier League clubs, the Rainbow Laces initiative gear is purposed to encourage acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in football writ large. That message, though, is not considered a violation of the prohibition on personal, political, and religious statements. Rather, the FA reportedly sees it as a symbol of “respect and tolerance.”

Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy, who is Muslim, refused on religious grounds to wear the armband.

In response, the FA said Morsy’s choice was a matter for the team to decide, adding he faces no official repercussions for his choice. The club, for its part, said it “is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone,” noting it respects Morsy’s decision “due to his religious beliefs.”
Sources:faithwire

http://theendtimeradio.com