As the college football playoffs continue to unfold with fierce competition and exciting moments, some star athletes have used the spotlight to openly share their faith and give glory to God, both in victory and defeat.
Following Notre Dame’s victory over the University of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Jan. 2, quarterback Riley Leonard was asked about the significance of the win. He responded, “First and foremost, 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,” he told the media.
Calling Notre Dame fans “incredible” and acknowledging that the team has “a lot of work left to do” before its Jan. 9 Orange Bowl matchup against Penn State, Leonard also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play, describing it as “a beautiful thing and a dream come true.”
This is great.
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 3, 2025
Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard gives thanks to Jesus on ESPN postgame after the Irish advance past Georgia.
“Without Him, I wouldn’t be here.” pic.twitter.com/D2g09mwnA5
Leonard, who has been very open about his faith in recent years — often wearing a wristband during games featuring the verse, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be praised” (Mt 23:12) — ended his conversation with reporter Molly McGrath by saying, “Jesus bless,” before celebrating his victory alongside his teammates.
Other players praise Jesus after winning games
Leonard wasn’t the only prominent athlete to give thanks to Jesus Christ after playoff wins.
Following a double-overtime victory over Arizona State University on Jan. 1, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was asked in a postgame press conference about his “clutch” performance and calm demeanor that sealed the win and a Jan. 10 appearance in the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State.
“I think that we all stay calm. And for all of us to stay calm, it kind of starts with me. And I just try to be that calm within the storm for all the guys,” Ewers responded, “And I think that my relationship with Jesus has helped me in that specific way of knowing that no matter what happens, that he’s going to be there for me. He’s still going to love me.”
After the game itself ended, Texas player Nick Sanders approached Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo and asked if he could pray for him. The two then knelt on the field in a moment of prayer.
“Can I pray for you?”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 2, 2025
Texas freshman RB Nick Sanders and ASU RB Cam Skattebo took a moment after Peach Bowl 🙏
(via @LaCertosaSports) pic.twitter.com/Z7cqugN0hL
Similar to Leonard and Ewers, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard expressed his gratitude to Jesus when speaking with the media following his team’s impressive win against No. 1 ranked Oregon. He said, “First and foremost, I’ve got to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage, here in the Rose Bowl.”
“A younger me would be in awe right now,” he continued. “I just have to take it all in, enjoy this with my boys, and we’ve got two more, so we’re not done yet.”
Following Ohio State’s Rose Bowl victory, OSU star running back and Offensive Player of the Game TreVeyon Henderson thanked Jesus in a Jan. 3 post on his X account, citing: “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy” (1 Pt 1:8).
Thank you Jesus
— TreVeyon Henderson (@TreVeyonH4) January 3, 2025
“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”
1 Peter 1:8 pic.twitter.com/9UYLrUIwyL
‘All glory to Jesus Christ’
While many praised God following their victories, several players and coaches also made it a point to give thanks to the Lord even after their losses.
In a Dec. 31 postgame press conference following Boise State University’s loss to Penn State, Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson glorified God.
“No matter what, win, lose, or draw, I’m going to always give Jesus the glory. I’m so blessed to be the head coach here. And we do serve a champion. And I do know God never says ‘oops,'” he continued. “As hard as tonight is as a competitor and as a coach, I do believe we learn and grow from everything. And the best is still to come for our team, for these players, our seniors.”
“I told every single one of them in the locker room that. God has an amazing plan for your life. Never settle for less than that,” he said.
Senior defensive end Ahmed Hassanein, from Cairo, Egypt, also commented in the press conference, saying, “First, I want to start off by giving all glory to Jesus Christ. He is the true champion.”
Then, turning to his head coach, Hassanein stated, “Coach D., you changed my life.”
“You changed my life. I did not know God until I got to Boise State. And I serve a true champion. Jesus Christ is the only true God,” he continued. “He died and rose from the dead three days later. That’s the champion that I serve. Thank you Coach D. Like seriously, you changed my life.”
Boise State football player Ahmed Hassanein breaks down in TEARS as he thanks Coach Spencer Danielson for leading him to Christ.
— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) January 2, 2025
“Coach D you changed my life, I didn’t know God until I got to Boise State.”
Glory be to God. pic.twitter.com/MyBhJ47mAw
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty also echoed a similar sentiment in the press conference.
“First of all, all glory to God for bringing us this far, for helping us restore the order this year. We couldn’t have done it without him. Keeping God first is what got us here,” he said. “But this season has been a blessing. God’s favor has been upon me and all my teammates all year. And I’m just thankful.”
