We scoured around and pulled up a few stories on Faith among this year’s Super Bowl athletes and fans … Enjoy!
The National Catholic Register reports that “From pro-life witness, a pre-Super Bowl elopement, and moments of faith lived on and off the field, here are 11 players to watch this Sunday.” Here are a few highlights, but you an read the full article here.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye told reporters that “One of the best things about a football team is that there’s other brothers that are all on the team that are followers of Christ. And to be able to share thoughts and sit down in chapel and listen to our chaplain, Mitch, talk before a game is so powerful.”
Seattle Seahawks player Derick Hall is a living, breathing pro-life miracle. Born at 23 weeks (that’s only a bit more than 5 months of pregnancy!), he weighed only 2 pounds and had NO heartbeat. Doctors advised his mother to take him off life support, but she refused… (read the full article to find out when he was able to come home).. Needless to say, Hall is a strong advocate for prematurely born babies! 
Christian Gonzalez, cornerback for the New England Patriots, is immersed in gratitude, giving all the glory to God, keeping his eyes on Him, and ever-grateful for the opportunity his position gives him. Part of his get-ready ritual includes a cross on his thigh pad and writing verse Psalm 16:8 into his face make up. The NCRegister reports that “He credits the Patriots’ spiritual community for helping him grow in his walk with God, including team chaplain James Mitchell and teammate TreVeyon Henderson.”
TreVeyon Henderson of the Patriots keeps his faith front and center, even sharing on social media that “I am nothing without God.” Adding about his fiancée, now wife,, “The Lord set us free from sexual immorality; he kept us pure for a couple years until we got married,”. Smiling, he added (referring to eloping and marrying prior to the big game): “Well, I just broke the news.”
Christian Barmore, defensive tackle for the Patriots is from Philadelphia, attended Catholic schools all the way through high school. Two years ago he suffered a serious blood clot diagnosis. He credited his faith in God for his remarkable recovery.
Christian Elliss is a six-year NFL linebacker hails from a family of 17, seven of whom were adopted. He sees his position with the Patriots—after not being drafted for a few years—as a true gift and blessing from God. With a clear heart for God, he also keeps it no secret that he is a big supporter of adoption too.
Hunter Henry, also with the Patriots, is the second leading receiver “closing out a great season heading into Super Bowl Sunday.” His father was a pastor and his example greatly influenced him growing up. “He’s the biggest example of what a man is,” he says, “… Church comes first.”
New England Patriots’ running back Rhamondre Stevenson lost his 54-year-old dad last year. His devotion to Our Lord and “the tremendous impact” of teammate TreVeyon Henderson helped him to heal and continues to foster an ongoing deeper faith life and deeper immersion into Scripture, for which he is grateful.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks and the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, leads with faith. Always. He often credits his “great community of Christ followers” in the Seattle locker 
room and “…staying grounded and giving Him the glory… I’m here to serve the Lord.”
Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks does not hesitate to publicly share that an integral part of his preparation — especially for the intensity of something like the Super Bowl — is to anchor himself in his Trust in the Lord. “Trust in him. Trust him because he knows best. And I shouldn’t need that reminder because I should know that, but this season’s been a great reminder,” he says, adding that teammate Brady Russell has been a terrific influence on him on and off the field.
Brady Russell, Seahawks Captain (who started with the team as a college walk-on) spends time immersed in Holy Scripture as a vital part of his preparation for the field. Married just last year, he says that he is “so thankful for our trust in Jesus that brought us together at the perfect time in the perfect season under the perfect circumstances. It’s not that either of our pasts are without blemish, but they are clearly marked with fruit that only comes from lives submitted to Christ…. only by the grace of God was I blessed with such a life-giving woman.”
The NCRegister article is a great read and you can read it here.
RELATED RESOURCES:
- Seattle and Boston Bishops make a friendly wager.…
- The Faithful 11: Meet the Patriots and Seahawks Playing for Christ this Super Bowl Sunday, National Catholic Register
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