By Douglas V. Gibbs
Seattle pulled off the big win during Sunday’s biggest football game of the year. After bouncing around five teams and being told by the experts that he was destined to be a backup, Sam Darnold the quarterback took Seattle to the Promised Land. After the game he credited the win to his fellow players. Walker, the MVP of the game and Darnold’s running back, made sure to thank God.
My observations this year of a rise in expressions of faith among football players, both pro and college, give me hope for the culture. It’s a sharp contrast to what we’ve been seeing in recent years, with players kneeling during the National Anthem, DEI slogans painted in end zones, and political messaging on the back of helmets. In a culture that often feels hostile to faith and patriotism, sports has unexpectedly shown us pockets of courage, gratitude, and clarity.
Throughout this season I’ve noticed more players openly thanking God after wins. After the end of the game the camera usually sweeps across a circle of players from both teams, along with some coaches, kneeling in prayer together. On national broadcasts we’ve seen more “give God the glory” moments; in interviews, in post‑game comments, and in those quiet finger‑points toward Heaven. It feels a bit unusual compared to the counter-culture tone of recent years, and that contrast is striking.
I watch football, and other sports, for the game. I enjoy the competition on the field. I watch for the game, not the politics around it. When I was young, sports figures were some of my heroes. As a more mature viewer, I still appreciate competitors who carry themselves with humility and class. As a Christian, hearing God acknowledged in a secular, often hostile environment means something. That’s why I followed Derek Carr for so many years. His perseverance, love of the game, and true sportsmanship were admirable; but his faith, and his willingness to stand firm while others knelt, made me a fan eager to support him.
There is no doubt that WOKE and DEI messaging has saturated sports broadcasts just as it has much of the entertainment industry. Anti‑American rhetoric even creeps into commentary. And one of the most glaring recent examples of anti‑faith and anti‑American sentiment in sports is the current Olympics controversy, where some athletes are unsure whether they even want to represent the country. It is quite the cultural contradiction. We have young men in football giving glory to God on the field and wiping tears during the National Anthem, while elite Olympic athletes hesitate to stand behind the flag.
Sports is supposed to bring out the best in us: competition, gamesmanship, and carrying one’s head high in victory and defeat. Gratitude, humility, and patriotism are not dead. They’ve simply been quieter than the noise.
When players thank God, it reminds us that character still matters. When athletes hesitate to represent America, it reminds us why character is needed.
— Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
