Journeyman NFL quarterback and outspoken Christian Case Keenum has had a “crazy career,” moving from city to city and from team to team. But looking back, he says his football journey has a blessing—and allows him to be a blessing to others.
Keenum is now a backup QB in Houston, where he began his pro career in 2012. While speaking to Jason Romano on the April 26 episode of the “Sports Spectrum” podcast, Keenum reflected on how God has been present during his 12-year career. The athlete also described how he ministers to teammates, despite not being a trained pastor.
Case Keenum on ‘Feeding Into People’ Spiritually
Case Keenum began the interview by talking about the blessing of his family. Despite struggling with infertility, he and wife Kimberly now have two young children. “Right now [we’re] focused on being great husband and wife, a great couple, but [also] great parents and disciple-makers in our own home,” Keenum said.
RELATED: 12 NFL Players Who LOVE Jesus (and Football)
Moving a lot leads to a “strange life,” he admitted, but it has allowed him and his wife to minister behind the scenes to players and their significant others. Keenum enjoys “really feeding into people and trying to minister to people on a personal, relationship-type level,” he said. “I’ve truly felt like God has prepared and built me exactly for where I’ve been.”
Keenum, now a backup for young phenom C.J. Stroud, said it’s a privilege to mentor someone who’s “a Christian before an athlete.” Keenum also praised Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who shares Scripture and a sense of joy and peace with players. That is contagious, according to Keenum, who said a team motto is “iron sharpens iron.”
Team chapel services and Bible studies also contribute to an environment where it feels safe to explore and share faith, Keenum said.
While playing for the Buffalo Bills, Keenum had a unique opportunity to share Christianity with some “unsaved teammates.” After Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a life-threatening injury in January 2023, players gathered to await word of his condition. “They’re asking me what happens when you die,” Keenum recalled, saying he makes sure he’s “available and open” to God using him.
“I say that to not pump myself up, because I’m not a trained pastor,” Keenum added. “But God can use me to share my faith with my teammates in that moment, just like he can use anyone in any situation, good or bad, to share his love.”
Faith Relationship Requires Work, Says Case Keenum
When asked who Jesus is to him today, Case Keenum said, “He’s my go-to every day. A best friend. A Savior.” The QB said his relationship with Jesus is “the most important thing in my life” and, like any relationship, “I have to work on it.”
