Ahead of Monday’s College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship game, players from both Notre Dame and Ohio State have been vocal about their faith in Jesus. Though only Notre Dame is a religious school, athletes at both institutions are making headlines for their bold witness for Christ.
In fact, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was criticized for saying the two teams made it to the finals for that very reason. “We’re the two main teams to just publicly display our faith the most,” he said on Jan. 15. “I truly believe that Jesus was looking over both our shoulders throughout the season and put these two teams on a pedestal for a reason.”
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On social media, religious studies professor Anthony Bradley responded: “This is very bad theology and someone needs to tell Mr. Leonard that this is certainly not true. This is the problem with evangelicals celebrating outspoken athletes.” Bradley added, “Their theological depth is often lacking. [Leonard’s] comments reflect the decline in interest in systematic theology.”
Others have praised Leonard for recent comments, such as, “Jesus, whatever your will is for my life, I trust it 100%.”
Powerful: Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard gives all the credit to Jesus for their win:
“Shoot, I just trusted in the Lord. I looked up and said, ‘Jesus, whatever your will is for my life, I trust it 100 percent.'”
What a role model 🙏❤️
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 10, 2025
Ahead of College Football Playoff, Notre Dame Players, Coach Talk About Faith
Notre Dame cornerback Christian Gray shares his teammate’s passion for the Lord. During a recent interview, he talked about surrendering his life to Jesus at about age 10. “I feel like my mission is to share the glory of God for others and tell kids you can do the same thing,” said Gray, whose hoodie read “just here to give God glory.”
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is the first Black head coach in a football title game. But he deflects any attention about that, saying “all coaches” should “continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this.” Freeman, a married father of six, converted to Catholicism in 2021. That was a “family decision,” he said, noting that he is married to “the most unselfish wife in the world.”
Freeman, who instituted game-day Mass for players, said, “What better time to be able to really be on the edge of your seat to get every word that comes out of the priest’s mouth and to be as close to God as you can?”
Ohio State Players Are Also on a Mission
From the start of this season, when they held a campus rally that included baptisms, Ohio State football players have been all-in for Jesus.
RELATED: Worship, Salvations, and Baptisms! Ohio State Football Players Host Faith Event on Campus
Running back TreVeyon Henderson frequently makes faith-related posts on social media. “We don’t have to be afraid to come to Jesus,” he wrote on Jan. 15. “He knows what we have done and He still chose to die for you and me, because He loves us. Put your faith in Jesus and He will save you from sin and give you new and eternal life. Don’t be afraid, follow Jesus.” Henderson ended his post by sharing some verses from Luke 5.
After Ohio State won the Cotton Bowl last weekend, defensive end Jack Sawyer told an ESPN reporter, “God’s blessed this team with so much ability. We wouldn’t be here without [God], so we give him all the credit first and foremost.”
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