Faith on the field

MARY REICHARD, HOST: It’s Thursday the 26th of December.

Glad to have you along for today’s edition of The World and Everything in It. Good morning, I’m Mary Reichard.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: And I’m Myrna Brown.

Up first: Faith and the NFL!

You were probably just taking your turkey or ham out of the oven when the Pittsburgh Steelers began hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in a Christmas Day matchup on Netflix. It was the first time a streaming outlet had distributed an NFL game globally.

REICHARD: But it may not be the last time. The NFL is already slated to air two more Christmas Day games on Netflix for the next two years.

That’s big news, but it’s not the only football trend turning heads.

JAKE BATES: I know for a fact that I’m not here without the unconditional love that Jesus gives us and the sacrifice He made on the cross.

BROWN: Jake Bates is a Detroit Lions rookie who’s passionate about football and even clearer about his purpose.

BATES: I’m not here to make kicks or miss kicks. I think I’m here to spread the love of Jesus. So however long He gives me at this stage, that’s what I plan to do.

REICHARD: And he’s not alone. Across the league, players like Tua Tagovailoa aren't shy about their faith.

TUA TAGOVAILOA: The best thing about being a believer of Jesus Christ to me is the good Lord up above doesn’t care whether you win a game or you lose a game.

But Tagovailoa, a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, doesn’t sugarcoat his struggles either.

TAGOVAILOA: For me, it’s been a little tough having to play on Sundays. Having to not be able go to church…having to watch church online.

BROWN: After a narrow win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, Houston Texans quarterback, C.J. Stroud went one on one with a CBS Sports reporter.

REPORTER: Well, CJ, there’s a lot to sort through after that game. But let’s start with the game-winning touchdown. What did you see?

C.J. STROUD: First and foremost, I’ve got to give all glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Throughout the two and a half-minute interview Stroud kept coming back to his relationship with Jesus.

STROUD: These last couple of weeks have been up and down. Been going through a lot on and off the field. But when you give your life to the Lord, He gives you opportunities and it’s what you do with it. So, He gave me this opportunity to come back in a two-minute drill.

REICHARD: It’s that confidence that inspires fellow-football player, Jake Bates. While the two are on opposing teams, Bates says they’re also brothers in Christ.

BATES: He starts every press conference with, He wouldn’t be here without His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And so, he’s been absolutely awesome to watch and I don’t know Him personally, so I don’t want to speak on him. But just what he’s been able to do in the media and spreading Jesus’ love has been awesome to see.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.