Long, long ago it was Christians versus hungry lions, Colosseum in Rome, Tuesdays and Saturdays, 3 p.m.
Good news: Christianity survived.
Much later, the United States of America was said to be organized on Christian principles. Certain colleges were founded on similar fundamentals. Texas Christian and Baylor were Baptist schools. Southern Methodist went overboard on football and the NCAA went overboard on punishment.
Dr. Jerry Falwell had a vision to build the world’s largest Christian university. Liberty University fulfilled that dream. Brigham Young University belongs to the Mormons. They consider themselves Christians.
Devout Christian coach Ken Sparks did remarkable things for Carson-Newman College. Some Ivy League schools have Christian foundations. Some may have slipped.
The ESPN documentary titled Christians vs. Criminals is about the football rivalry between Notre Dame and Miami. The Irish have Touchdown Jesus overlooking their stadium. The Hurricanes are or were ahead in jail records.
Big-name football people came out of the dressing rooms and spoke boldly of their faith. Joe Gibbs, Kurt Warner, Deion Sanders and Herschel Walker come to mind.
Reggie White, one of the most famous football players in Tennessee and NFL history, was also one of the most respected.
White, ordained as a preacher while still in high school, was fittingly nicknamed “The Minister of Defense” because of his leadership on gridirons and off-the-field impact as a dedicated evangelical minister.
Tim Tebow is in a league of his own.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a past Super Bowl MVP, became a Christian in middle school and keeps his faith in the spotlight.
“Faith is huge for me.”
In a Fellowship of Christian Athletes video, he describes a pregame ritual: “I walk the field and I say a prayer at the goalpost. I just thank God for opportunities, and I thank God for letting me be on a stage where I can glorify him.”
God must have somehow been involved in the unusual August 2024 evening at Ohio State. Hundreds of students gathered around a stage in a campus courtyard. They sang, clapped their hands, bowed their heads in prayer – and listened as the celebrities – the football players –testified about their Christian faith.
One of the Buckeye stars was running back TreVeyon Henderson.
“God just started drawing people in. We didn’t know it was going to be that many.”
Fifty or more were baptized.
DeSean Bishop is Vol leader
Tennessee football has a Christian leader, running back DeSean Bishop. At Southeastern Conference media days in Tampa, DeSean said: “Before we begin, I want to give all glory to my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. I can pretend like this day is about me, but it’s really about Him.
“I would not be up here without Him. He’s been the difference in my life. I encourage anyone out there, if you’re seeking a relationship with Him, go get it, because it does make the difference in everything you do. So, all glory to Him.”
An unidentified sports reporter said “Amen.”
Bishop said God has given him far more than he deserves.
“He saved me from a really dark place, a path of destruction that I was on, and man, it was leading me down to a place I didn’t need to be.
“So, when God swooped in and saved my life for what is to be, I mean, it came with all this that I receive now.”
“When somebody sees something different in me, I want that difference to be the Lord. So just by the way I live, I try to encourage others to get on the right path, because, realistically, all this stuff we chase is temporary.”
Bishop said he is chasing eternal things.
Peter Burns, ESPN reporter who conducted the now-famous Bishop video, said linebacker Arion Carter encouraged him to ask Bishop about his faith. Indeed, teammates have noticed. The video went viral. Supposedly, hundreds of thousands have seen it.
Sometimes Bishop talks football. He rushed for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Sixteen tied for second in the SEC and ranked sixth nationally.
“I have the mindset of not getting tackled and just fighting for as much yards as I can every time I touch the ball, just utilizing every carry I get because it could be limited.”
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Marvin West welcomes comments and questions from readers at marvinwest75@gmail.com Read more westwords by Marvin West.
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