Jim Denison is the founder and CEO of the Denison Forum, a nonprofit Christian media organization that comments on current issues through a biblical lens. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily represent those of BCNN1.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in yesterday’s Super Bowl by a score of 31 to 20. The Chiefs came back from a ten-point deficit in the fourth quarter to give their beloved head coach, Andy Reid, his first NFL championship.
What about the game will be remembered long after the score is forgotten?
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is now the first quarterback in NFL history to win a Most Valuable Player award, a Super Bowl, and a Super Bowl MVP by the age of twenty-five. However, he has been known for his humility since high school.
According to his coaches, “He was always about the team, always about his teammates, always about the other person.” Mahomes has been following Jesus since coming to faith in middle school.
Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt has been active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action. He says, “As a Christian, I think God has given me that platform to say, ‘Hey, I’ve allowed you to do a lot of things, and I need you to speak my Name.’”
49ers receiver Jordan Matthews became a Christian during his second year in the NFL and says “everything changed.” Another 49ers receiver, Marquise Goodwin, made headlines when he and his wife lost a premature son just hours before a game but continued to trust the Lord.
And Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt has been very public about his commitment to Christ. I was his pastor in Dallas and know personally of his family’s love for the Lord.
After the Chiefs won the AFC title, Clark said: “I want to thank the Lord for blessing us with this opportunity. The glory belongs to him.” After his team won the Super Bowl last night, he told the world: “I want to thank the Lord for blessing our family with all these incredible people who helped us bring this championship home.”
Earl Smith is the chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers. He previously served as a chaplain at California’s San Quentin State Prison, where he witnessed twelve executions and played chess with Charles Manson. He has been the 49ers’ chaplain since 1997.
Smith shares Christ by focusing on spiritual themes that connect with the players’ interests: hope, trust, and accountability. For instance, at the beginning of this season, he gave each of the players a tiny glass bottle, and with each victory, he gave the players a mustard seed to put in their bottles.
This is just one way he is planting the seed of the gospel in the soil of their souls.
“I have seen guys really grow,” he said. “I’ve seen young men who came in searching who have gone from searching to helping other men that were searching; guys mentoring the walk for others.”
Source: Christian Headlines
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