Today’s Athletes Are Bolder Than Ever About Their Faith In Jesus, Says Benjamin Watson
Athletes today speak about Jesus with a confidence that would have been rare a generation ago, and that is worth celebrating from a biblical perspective. Culture shifts when people refuse to hide their convictions, and seeing public figures declare Christ stirs hearts and provokes honest conversations. This piece looks at why that shift matters, who helped start it, and how faith continues to move through sport.
Why Social Media Matters
The biggest single change is the tools athletes now carry in their pockets; social media lets them own their message and bypass gatekeepers. “Social media is a huge part of it,” Watson said, and that reality has allowed players to post Scripture, testimonies, and short teachings directly to millions. Where interviews once shaped the story, bios and feeds now make faith visible every day.
Public boldness did not appear overnight; it was built by predecessors who refused to be ashamed of the gospel. Tim Tebow remains a touchstone for many because he normalized visible devotion in high-pressure moments, and before him others quietly bore witness in locker rooms and living rooms. As Watson remembers from his college days, “we just didn’t have all the avenues to share [faith] that we have now.”
That growth in visibility has a ripple effect: when a few brave voices speak, more find courage to follow. “It’s also a reminder that when one person or two people or three people step out and say certain things, it gives other people confidence to say it as well, and it breaks down the fear factor – so to speak – of speaking about something that’s not the norm to hear in a postgame interview,” Watson said. This is simple discipleship dynamics playing out on a modern stage.
Passing The Torch
Veteran believers like Reggie White and Kurt Warner provided testimonies that inspired teammates and fans, and today’s athletes inherit that legacy. Watson, who played in the NFL from 2004 through 2019 and won a Super Bowl, points to those examples as fuel for younger players. The result is a broader, more confident witness across leagues and at the college level.
Acceptance in the stands and on social feeds has increased, and that shapes what athletes feel safe to say. “There’s more acceptance now,” Watson added, and surveys reflect a public more open to faith being part of an athlete’s public identity. As Christians we should notice and pray for those hearts that speak up, asking God to multiply fruit where witness is bold.
The pressure of elite sport often drives people to seek help beyond themselves, and that spiritual hunger opens doors for gospel conversations. “I think people are looking for something outside themselves in pressure situations,” Watson said, adding that “when we are in situations that are beyond ourselves and beyond our personal capabilities, it is where God specifically has us to hear from Him the most.” Athletes confessing dependence on God cut through cliché and point to real need.
Platforms make it possible to share not only victories but vulnerability, testimony, and Scripture in ways that reach a wide and varied audience. “We’re living in an age where we can exchange so much information. We can make Christ’s name known in so many different ways. … It’s an encouragement to anybody who’s a believer.” Those words sum up why public faith in sports is a ministry opportunity, not merely a cultural trend.
If Christians want influence in the public square, cheering on and praying for bold witnesses is a practical place to start. When athletes use their gifts and platforms to point beyond themselves, the church should celebrate, disciple, and offer support. The boldness on display in locker rooms and timelines can spark gospel conversations that reach people who rarely darken a church door.
In short, we are seeing a continuation of an old pattern made new: God uses visible witnesses in every generation. The current moment in sports is not the sum total of the church’s witness, but it is a bright avenue for declaring Christ in clear, modern language. Pray for the athletes who speak, and be ready to welcome and equip those who are reached.
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