NFL Players are Out to Win Games… and Hearts

When Sunday comes around, there are more Americans worshiping their NFL idols through their television than there are those worshiping God in the church.  But even in the NFL there are Christian athletes who choose to use their talent to reach others with the Gospel are displaying Christ’s love to their fans and teammates alike. 

Starting defensive tackle for the NY Jets, #70 Mike DeVito, testified of the strong network of believers that exists within the NFL.

“Everyone knows the stereotype that there is of NFL players,” said DeVito, “but there’s a community of believers that are really rooted in their faith.” 

He admitted that when he began his NFL career with the NY Jets in 2007, DeVito was nervous.

“I thought there would be no Christian brothers in the NFL,” he said, “but there’s a great network of believers on every team.”

According to DeVito, most within the NFL are not adverse to Christianity.

“In the NFL, there are guys from a lot of different backgrounds, social networks, places and religions,” said DeVito.  “People are always asking about who Jesus is.”

He and his roommate, Matt Mulligan, #82 tight end for the NY Jets, do not let these opportunities go to waste.

“We (he and Mulligan) work as a team,” said DeVito.  “By the grace of God we have guys over and minster to them.  Sometimes you have guys who don’t know anything about Christ, so we are there to plant the seeds.  It’s then up to us to pray for them, that God would work in their hearts.”

DeVito spoke of leaders in the NFL who’ve impacted his own relationship with Christ, highlighting Pastor Adam Burt (chaplain of the NY Jets) and former NY Jets defensive lineman, Kenyon Coleman (currently #99 with the Dallas Cowboys). 

“This guy really walks the walk,” DeVito said of Coleman. “You can see the power and light of God in his life like no other. During my first two years with the Jets, he and Pastor Adam taught me so many things. God works through these men.” 

For the past four years, NY Jets’ chaplain Adam Burt has invested in players and coaches through chapels and one-on-one discipleship and mentoring every week.  Also the pastor of Morning Star Church in Manhattan, Burt is able to connect well with the players since he spent many years as a NHL star. Sports ministry has always been a passion of his. 15 years ago, Burt, along with former NHL player Mike Fischer, spent the summer on Gordon College’s campus with Hockey Ministries International.  They played their tournaments at Endicott College’s hockey arena.

“I knew that I played pro sports and the lord wouldn’t have that and not use it later,” he said.

The Christian community within the NFL is tight-knit.

“All the NFL chaplain are very friendly,” said Burt.  Brett Fuller (chaplain of the Washington Redskins) and Dr. Adam Ybarra (chaplains of the Oakland Raiders) are good friends whom he stays well connected to.

Don Davis, former NE Patriots’ linebacker, is now the NFL program director, chaplain of the NE Patriots and Director of player affairs.  He has seen evangelism within the NFL change throughout the years; he referred to the modern form as “locker room evangelism.”

“This generation is not as forward when it comes to witnessing,” said Davis.  “They do more invitation and fellowship and then the issues come up.  Players are more open to Christianity now because of the Christian figures in the NFL and the prayers that happen after the games.”

Davis sees his role as chaplain to have three main levels.

“Equipping the saints, encouraging those who are struggling and exposing folks to the Truth,” he said. “I’ve found in my own walk, it wasn’t until I saw someone I respected doing things I wanted to do, that I grew.  That’s what my approach is. Being around them and let them see my life. I earn that responsibility to speak into their life.” 

These key personalities in the NFL are devoting their lives to sharing the Gospel through the medium of sports.  Sport is the only universal language of our day.  Each one of these Christ-followers recognizes their position in the sports world to hold an eternal responsibility.

“There’s no bigger platform that draws so many people around one event,” said Davis.  “It (sports) breaks down walls.”