Ever since I was young, God and sports seemed to be irrevocably intertwined.
Growing up in Texas where high school football was a community rallying point, all the players would huddle for a fervent prayer before the game, and it wasn’t unusual to hear the local preacher invoke God’s blessing in the upcoming championship.
On my track team, the girls would look skyward imploringly before settling into the starting blocks, and I always made sure to stash my rosary beads into my gym bag before a meet.
This mixing of athleticism and religion was so second nature, I never understood why someone would see impropriety in it. Like any challenge you face in life, it’s comforting to think you have God in your corner, pushing you forward.
Why would sports be an exception?
In recent years, it seems openly Christian athletes have fallen under more and more criticism. From Lolo Jones to Tim Tebow to Jeremy Lin, the media seems to scoff at Christian sport figures, giving them a heightened level of scrutiny. Why are some people jerks to athletes who wear their faith on their sleeve (or in Tim Tebow’s case, in eye black during games)?
Cynics say that these athletes profess their religion not to draw attention to God, but to draw attention to themselves. By showing their Christianity, they’re trying to sell an image of wholesomeness that puts them on a pedestal above their competitors. This then translates into more face time, more media frenzy and ultimately, more money through endorsements.
A recent NY Times article on Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones mocked her devotion to abstinence stating, “Essentially, Jones has decided she will be whatever anyone wants her to be – vixen, virgin, victim – to draw attention to herself and the many products she endorses.” Lolo tearfully responded to the attack on the Today Show after she finished off the podium at the Olympics, saying she fought hard for her country and doesn’t deserve to be ripped apart by the media.
WATCH VIDEO ON LOLO JONES: “RAISING AN OLYMPIAN”
Other detractors who express disdain at openly religious athletes who pray for victory feel it’s asinine to assume the supposed creator of the universe is a sports lover or wants a particular team to win. In a CNN article, “When Did God Become a Sports Fan”, the writer feels it’s the wrong gesture in the wrong place. He writes it cheapens faith to bring God into something as trivial as game day. You don’t see them praising God when they lose, his point seems to be.
As a Christian who was once a devoted athlete, I can say for myself that when I prayed before games, I wasn’t assuming that God valued my team over the next one or was I hoping that God would even give me victory. I prayed for God to help me do my best and to protect my teammates from injuries.
However, I agree with detractors who say thanking God only when you win is petty. Lolo has said she would never ask God for a gold medal, and gymnast Gabby Douglas said after her all-around win that all the praise should go to God. I believe one should be grateful to God for their physical abilities regardless of whether they make that touchdown, score that goal or break that world record. Athletes who are true believers understand that and use their high visibility to evangelize.
Back in January, during the wild card play-offs, when Tebow threw 316 yards while proudly displaying the famous John 3:16 bible verse, the phrase “John 3:16” was the most searched term on Google the next day. Since so many people watch these athletes, they choose to take advantage of a unique opportunity to reach the masses and spread God’s word.
Though media critics and non-believers will always be ready to pounce, Christian athletes should never have to apologize for their faith…
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