Super Bowl LVIII Stars Find 'Identity in Jesus', Share Christian Testimonies on World Stage
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs are set to square off for Super Bowl LVIII – in many ways a rematch of Super Bowl LIV. The Chiefs are the third team to reach four Super Bowls in the span of five years. And San Francisco is hoping to bring home championship number six.
A Chiefs win would solidify their position as the NFL's newest dynasty. For the 49ers, it's their chance for revenge against the team that beat them on this same stage just a few years ago.
There are plenty of storylines at play this weekend, and only some of them involve Taylor Swift. As players and coaches make last-minute adjustments to their game plan, stars from both sides say they're playing for more than just football glory.
Players from the 49ers and Chiefs alike are proclaiming Christ on sports's biggest stage, including both of the star quarterbacks – Brock Purdy and Patrick Mahomes.
Approximately 130 million people will tune in to this year's game, meaning there are a lot of eyes watching how the players play and a lot of ears listening to what they say.
Here are some of the highlights from players seeking to honor God during this past week:
Harrison Butker #7
Kicker - Kansas City Chiefs
"I never thought I'd ever be on a stage like this, but here I am and I need to glorify God for that.
I always wonder, why does God have these footballs going through the uprights? Because there's a lot of guys who put a lot of time and effort into their craft of kicking, but for some reason, my balls are going through the uprights. God's put me on this platform for a reason. And, you know, I can't be ashamed to give Him all the credit for being here and being alive and everything that he's given for me."
Noah Gray #83
Tight End - Kansas City Chiefs
"I've just been very grateful in my life. It's been humbling to be able to follow Jesus. And yeah, we're just just so grateful to have such an amazing Father that, you know, takes care of us every single day. And we can always look to Him, you know, when times are good, but also when times are bad."
James Winchester #41
Long Snapper - Kansas City Chiefs
"There was a lot of men who...in our locker room, honestly, that leaned on their faith, you know. And when you go through adversity and tough times, where do you go? You go the Lord. Right. And I think a lot of our guys did that. And you know, here we are."
Marquez Valdez-Scantling #11
Wide Receiver - Kansas City Chiefs
"I've had some really, really dark days in my past where, you know, it was either death, suicide, or talk to God. And, you know, like I said, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my faith and I don't play this game for anything else but the man up top because this is the game that I love. I mean, and He gave me this platform to use to talk about, you know, my journey and, you know, my walk with Him."
Patrick Mahomes #15
Quarterback - Kansas City Chiefs
CBN Sports asked Patrick Mahomes if he could talk about what role faith plays in his life and how important it is to him:
"Yeah, it helps me to be the example that I am every single day. And it gives me an example of who to strive to be... be like. And whenever stuff is tough or through adverse times, I can just know that I can lean on my faith to get me through," Mahomes told CBN.
Brock Purdy #13
Quarterback - San Francisco 49ers
CBN Sports also asked Brock Purdy about his faith story and what this season has taught him about God's faithfulness:
"Yeah, I would just say, you know, not trying to hold on too tightly to your life and what you do with your job and making sure your identity is in Jesus. And honestly, that's been the case for me in my life. I haven't, you know, tried to hold on to the football life. Being a quarterback, it's been about, 'All right, God, this is what I do. But I am who You say I am.' And I've allowed that to sort of, you know, take over my life. And He's taken me to where He needs me. And so now here we are."
MUST SEE 'Holy Spirit, Take Over': 49ers' Brock Purdy Shares How He Prays During a Game
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Deebo Samuel #19
Wide Receiver - San Francisco 49ers
"I wake up, I pray, I thank Him before I even go out there on the field. I thank Him. Even in pre-games like, that's just something that I naturally do, that, you know, without Him none of this is even possible."
Arik Armstead #91
Defensive End - San Francisco 49ers
"Football is fleeting. It is very important. It's changed my life. It's been so amazing. But the foundation of my life is my faith. And, you know, that allows me to put things into perspective. I thought a lot on God and just let Him go to work and control what I can control. But I feel like at times in life, you know, we try to, try to muscle things or control things and feel like we really, we really have a say so. And that's not the case. And so you have to rely on your faith to be able to maneuver through life."
Christian McCaffrey #23
Running Back - San Francisco 49ers
"My faith is the most important thing in my life, it's the thing that keeps me grounded. You know, I think the moment I started to really, you know, enjoy my life more than I ever have is when I surrendered to God. And to me, it's the thing that will always be consistent for me, no matter what happens in my life, good or bad. I'm blessed for that."
Tashaun Gipson #31
Safety - San Francisco 49ers
"There's just something about faith in Jesus man, and the miracles He can work in your life. All you got to do is believe. And I walk around, in my backpack I have like, three little mustard seeds. Yeah. Faith of a mustard seed, as you know. And I walk around with those man as testament, because, you know, being a believer is the most important thing to me."
Charlie Woerner #89
Tight End - San Francisco 49ers
"Just because we're in the NFL doesn't mean we're special. We're broken and I'm broken. And the only way that I'll be able to enter those pearly gates is by the blood of Jesus, you know? And so the only way everyone can do that is by His blood. So that's why I always have my faith and my hope in."
*** 'Holy Spirit, Take Over': 49ers' Brock Purdy Shares How He Prays During a Game
