The Top 10 Most Religous Athletes

By Jason Bolton July 01, 2024 08:00

Photo by Eakin Howard / AP

Throughout the professional sports world, we can see several vocally religious stars. These stars put their religion in the forefront and proudly abide by their beliefs, whether on or off the field or in court. In this piece, we provide an in-depth look at the backgrounds and beliefs of 10 religious professional athletes, including the religions they associate with and what that religion means for their career as an athlete.

1. Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow, one of the highest-profile religious athletes before Kaepernick, frequently and unapologetically mentioned his Christian faith in interviews throughout his career. The on-field prayers and "Tebowing" craze that developed as a run-on effect advanced his spiritual presence in professional sports.

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2. Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes openly uses his faith and says that in every game, he's trying to glorify God on the football field. He believes that when it comes to playing well, all of what you do needs to be done for your best interest by putting out 110% effort each time, just as if Jesus himself was asking.

Although he does not speak quite as much about his faith as some athletes do, Mahomes has been involved in community efforts for a while now to show how leaks of faith can translate into action and influence society.

3. Brock Purdy

Purdy previously stated that his God-given self-worth kept him strong, and this element of faith has contributed significantly to who he believes himself to be.

4. Jimmer Fredette

Fredette, widely considered one of the most prominent Mormons in sports, has not shied from his faith. Fredette has done extensive charity work in an area of which his faith is certainly proud. His faith is the driving force behind much of this service and compassion.

5. Amare Stoudemire

Stoudemire has talked about the subtle but important impact his Jewish roots have had on him as a person. He has extensively explored his Jewish roots and considered launching a Hebrew school to maintain his religious beliefs.

6. Christian McCaffrey

McCaffrey has spoken at length about the impact that his faith in God has had on his career and, more importantly, on his personal life.

McCaffrey has used his faith to prompt him to participate in community service, charity work, and other philanthropic purposes.

7. James Winchester

Winchester has spoken openly about the impact of his faith on his behavior as a father and the values he tries to instill in his children.

8. L'Jarius Sneed

Sneed has also referred to God when explaining and analyzing his success as an athlete, revealing a bit of his faith being the centerpiece.

9. Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Valdes-Scantling has professed that his faith plays a huge role in his ability to survive and succeed, pointing out that, above all else, he believes that thing is central, being the belief he holds vilely for religion.

10. Harrison Butker

Butker has incorporated his faith into his public persona, tweeting scripture and expressions of belief on social media.

You have to assume that Butker is involved in some kind of charity work accessible in the area, as faith plays a part there, usually helping those Christian values of cultural compassion and generosity.

These athletes illustrate the varied manners in which religious faith meets professional sports to inform their sense of identity, purpose, and community engagement. It is a testimony to their phenomenal faith featured in the world sporting event, which made many people understand what spirituality means and how powerful it can be when one embraces sport.