Kevin Mercer, Author at Sports Spectrum

Current, former NFL players give back to communities on MLK Day with Convoy of Hope

To honor the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the faith-based nonprofit Convoy of...

Steelers fans thank Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson by giving to charities he supports

As Las Vegas kicker Daniel Carlson sent his fifth field goal of the Raiders' Week...

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan excels on field while giving back with God Iz Love Foundation

NFL fans have come to expect it from Cam Jordan, but the New Orleans Saints...

UNC QB Sam Howell declares for NFL draft: '[Life is] about living for Jesus and trying to be more like Him'

On Saturday, two days after North Carolina's 38-21 loss to South Carolina in the Duke's...

Unsung Lions RB Craig Reynolds after career day vs. Cardinals: 'I wouldn't be here without God'

The Detroit Lions chose quite a way to win their second game of the 2021...

Saints LB Demario Davis, a true 'Servant of Christ,' continuing to excel in back half of career

Usually, an NFL player's production will diminish as he reaches the age of 30 and...

Seattle Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett makes history in big win: 'I just thank God'

Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett made history in Seattle's 33-13 road victory against the Houston...

NFL mourns death of former Broncos legendary WR Demaryius Thomas: 'His greatest gift was joy'

At the age of 33 and only five months into his retirement, former NFL wide...

UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers expected to miss 6-8 weeks, says she's trusting God's plan

In the closing seconds of the UConn women's basketball team's 73-54 victory over No. 24...

Michigan, others honor Oxford shooting victim Tate Myre: 'Prayers up to the One who conquered death'

Witnesses say that when Tate Myre heard the sound of gunshots ringing throughout his school,...

Seattle Mariners sign 'Jesus Follower' and 2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray

The Seattle Mariners announced Tuesday night that they had finalized a five-year contract with pitching...

Florida hires Billy Napier as new football coach with faith as his 'anchor'

A day after the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns closed out an 11-1 regular season with a...

Louisiana football coach Billy Napier leans on God as he leads Ragin' Cajuns to historic success

In his four years as the head coach at Louisiana, Billy Napier has brought unprecedented...

Mississippi State QB Will Rogers seeks to serve his 'Lord and Savior' amid record-setting season

For Mississippi State sophomore quarterback Will Rogers, four-touchdown games have almost become the norm. He's...

Baylor men's basketball, head coach Scott Drew set out to defend title with culture of J.O.Y.

The quest to defend last season's national championship begins Friday night for the Baylor men's...

Lakers legend Magic Johnson 30 years after HIV diagnosis: 'I learned to trust in Jesus'

Sunday was the 30th anniversary of the stunning announcement from Los Angeles Lakers legend Earvin...

Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs gives glory to God after history-making interception

History was made in the second quarter of Sunday's game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and...

QB Sam Hartman leads Wake Forest to rare 7-0 start as he honors late brother, leans on faith in God

Fans of Wake Forest football won't soon forget the 2021 team. The 7-0 Demon Deacons...

Former NFL DT Albert Haynesworth after receiving new kidney: 'I'm a sinner, but I know God's plan'

Albert Haynesworth, once a dominating force along NFL defensive lines, felt powerless. It was less...

Colts QB Carson Wentz's AO1 Foundation flies Wentz superfan to Indianapolis for game

Best. Weekend. Ever. That's how Giovanni Hamilton described his trip to Indianapolis this past week,...

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott tosses game-winning TD in overtime as he seeks to walk by faith

Sunday's game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough was a test of toughness for...

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Hess on cancer diagnosis: 'God is going to use this for His glory'

David Hess, a pitcher within the Tampa Bay Rays organization, announced via Twitter on Wednesday...

Ryan Donato scores first goal in Seattle Kraken history, stays steadied by faith in God

Tuesday night was a historic one for the NHL as its newest franchise, the Seattle...

Buffalo Bills TE Dawson Knox seeks to glorify God amid breakout season

After Sunday night's dominating 38-20 win on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs, the...

Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena glorifies God after another hot postseason start

The Tampa Bay Rays are off and running in the 2021 MLB Playoffs after their...

Alabama QB Bryce Young seeks to glorify God as he leads team to 5-0 start

The Alabama Crimson Tide football program is back in a familiar position: 5-0 and ranked...

Kings' Marvin Bagley III says 'I'm right where God wants me to be' despite trade rumors

Sacramento Kings power forward Marvin Bagley III has been the subject of speculation and a...

Legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao announces retirement: 'In God, all things are possible'

At the age of 42, after a legendary professional boxing career spanning nearly 27 years...

Las Vegas QB Derek Carr after leading Raiders to 3-0 start: 'All I want to do is glorify Him'

With a wild 31-28 overtime win against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the Las Vegas...

Faith in Christ for many Rays players helps team chemistry: 'We lead league in guys going to chapel'

For the third consecutive year, the Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the postseason. It...

Carolina head coach Matt Rhule leads Panthers to 2-0 start as he's led by Christ

Despite playing at least twice a year, the Carolina Panthers had only beaten the New...

Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly hosts monthly men's fellowship group to spread light of Christ

Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly has seen his share of hardships in...

QB Jameis Winston shines in Saints season opener with 5 TDs, his identity in Christ

The Jameis Winston era in New Orleans could not have gotten off to a better...

Blue Jays pitcher Robbie Ray is sustained by Christ during stellar bounce-back season

An unlikely name has emerged as a potential front-runner in the American League Cy Young...

5 College QBs to Watch in 2021: Liberty's Malik Willis listening to God, staying humble

Leading up to the 2021 football season, Sports Spectrum will highlight five Christ-following college quarterbacks...

Legendary U.S. swimmer Jessica Long thanks Jesus after capturing 14th Paralymic gold

Already one of the greatest Paralympians ever, U.S. swimmer Jessica Long entered the Tokyo Games...

5 College QBs to Watch in 2021: Texas Tech's Tyler Shough is 'trusting in the Lord'

Leading up to the 2021 football season, Sports Spectrum will highlight five Christ-following college quarterbacks...

Detroit Lions' Godwin Igwebuike walks by faith, says God told him he'd be switched to running back

Godwin Igwebuike has had to fight to stay in the NFL ever since he entered...

Cameron Kinley waived by Bucs despite Navy exemption, looks forward to 'what God has next'

Former Navy cornerback Cameron Kinley's dream of playing in the NFL is on hold. After...

5 College QBs to Watch in 2021: North Carolina's Sam Howell says best decision was to follow Christ

Leading up to the 2021 football season, Sports Spectrum will highlight five Christ-following college quarterbacks...

Gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin: 'What I have in Christ is far greater' than anything else

U.S. track star Sydney McLaughlin has been silent on social media during these Tokyo Olympics,...

MAGAZINE: U.S. Wrestler Helen Maroulis Praises God Through Hills And Valleys

This story appears in the Summer 2021 issue of Sports Spectrum Magazine. To read the...

76ers' Tobias Harris scores playoff career-high 37 as he seeks to model life after Christ

The Philadelphia 76ers, the No. 1 seed in the NBA's Eastern Conference Playoffs, are off...

Phoenix Suns enter playoffs behind Christ-following coach Monty Williams after 10-season drought

It's been a long time waiting for fans in Phoenix, but it finally happened. The...

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf thanks God after running 10.37 seconds in pro track debut

Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver DK Metcalf has already established himself as one of the...

New Bucs LB Grant Stuard, 2021 'Mr. Irrelevant,' hoped in the Lord amid childhood adversity

Mr. Irrelevant. In most cases, it's a description no one wants. For former Houston linebacker...

Rookie Immanuel Quickley draws confidence from God as he helps Knicks make playoff push

It was 2013 the last time the New York Knicks made the playoffs, but this...

Stewart Cink wins PGA Tour's RBC Heritage, says his 'peace and joy' is in Christ

Age 47 has been nothing short of a renaissance year for professional golfer Stewart Cink....

QB Trevor Lawrence, Marissa Mowry get married with Christ at the center

It's official: top NFL quarterback prospect Trevor Lawrence has tied the knot. >> Subscribe to...

Hubert Davis takes over as North Carolina basketball coach, aims to be 'example of Christ'

Only four days after the retirement of legendary Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams, the...

College basketball coach Billy Kennedy, wife win Coach John Wooden Keys to Life Award

In October 2011 at the age of 47, only a few months after he was...

21 MLB players to watch in 2021: Baltimore Orioles 1B Chris Davis

Through the month of March, leading up to MLB Opening Day on April 1, Sports...

Matthew Mayer plays for Jesus, helps Baylor basketball advance to NCAA's Sweet 16

The Baylor men's basketball team, the No. 1 seed in the South region, will remain...

Baylor men earn program's first NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed, living out culture of JOY

It's official. March Madness is back. College basketball fans across the country celebrated as the...

Coach Dawn Staley shares Scripture, leads South Carolina women to SEC Tournament title

South Carolina is officially the champion of the SEC for the second year in a...

Chargers RB Joshua Kelley gets baptized by team chaplain: 'Jesus is Lord!'

In his first year in the NFL, Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley carved...

Case Keenum helping FCA to 'Fill the Stadium' so kids can 'live out God's plan for their lives'

Cleveland Browns quarerback Case Keenum first started attending camps with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes...

'Thankful' Michael McDowell wins Daytona 500: 'I've just got to thank God'

Entering Sunday's NASCAR season-opening Daytona 500 — the "Great American Race" — driver Michael McDowell...

Kicker Ryan Succop helps Bucs win Super Bowl LV after Lord led him to Tampa Bay

Since 2009, Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Ryan Succop has been called "Mr. Irrelevant" after being...

Kicker Ryan Succop set for first Super Bowl after rainbow from Lord led him to Tampa

Throughout most of 2020, kicker Ryan Succop was without a job. An injury-riddled 2019 season...

Tampa Bay Bucs LB Shaquil Barrett after NFC title: 'I just want to thank my Lord and Savior'

Before this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hadn't made the playoffs since 2007, and they...

Guided by God, Bucs linebacker Devin White leads Tampa to NFC title game

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back in the NFC title game for the first time...

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson gets 1st playoff win, credits God as he stays humble in the Lord

Led by 2019 NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens overcame a 10-0 first-quarter...

Titans RB Derrick Henry eclipses 2,000 yards, seeks to 'show off God'

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has done it once again: He is the NFL...

QB Justin Fields leads Ohio State to CFP title game, gives glory to God

Led by superstar quarterback Justin Fields, Ohio State is back in the College Football Playoff...

MAGAZINE: The Improbable Father-Son Story of Deland McCullough & Sherman Smith

This story appears in the Winter 2020 issue of Sports Spectrum Magazine. To read the rest...

Steadied by faith in Christ, QB Trevor Lawrence leads Clemson back to College Football Playoff

The Clemson Tigers were dominant from start to finish in their 34-10 win over Notre...

QB Jalen Hurts trusts in God's timing, leads Eagles to upset victory in 1st NFL start

The future is certainly sunny in Philadelphia for Eagles rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts. >> Subscribe...

Giants RB Alfred Morris scores first TDs in 2 years as he stays focused on Christ

New York Giants running back Alfred Morris had waited long enough. It was Dec. 30,...

Vikings WR Chad Beebe redeems himself with game-winning TD as he lives out his faith

Minnesota wide receiver Chad Beebe went from scapegoat to hero in a matter of minutes...

Dolphins' Zach Sieler living in an RV and glorifying God after contract extension

Don't expect to find too many NFL players living in RVs, especially fresh off signing...

Indianapolis Colts kicker Rodrigo Blankenship thanked God before game-winning field goal

At 7-3, the Indianapolis Colts are proving they are a force to be reckoned with...

U.S. soccer star Julie Ertz perseveres in faith as she leads others to Christ

From the outside, U.S. women's soccer star Julie Ertz appears to have it all together....

Tamela, Demario Davis share how God worked through daughter's bout with eye cancer

Demario Davis' public image is on display for thousands to see on Sundays as he...

Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins catches miraculous game-winning Hail Mary while leaning on faith in God

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins left the sports world in awe with one miraculous,...

QB Malik Willis places faith in God's timing as he leads undefeated Liberty

The Liberty Flames have already posted perhaps the best college football season in the history...

Memphis QB Brady White excels on the field as he plays for 'an audience of One'

COVID-19 has forced college football teams to adjust nearly everything they do. On top of...

From walk-on to starter, Purdue QB Aidan O'Connell seeks to glorify God

Count the Purdue Boilermakers among the five Big Ten teams still undefeated after the first...

Ben Roethlisberger seeks to live like Christ as Steelers improve to 8-0

The 2020 version of the Pittsburgh Steelers have done something that no other team in...

Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado wins 8th Gold Glove while steadied by his faith

A week after the Los Angeles Dodgers captured the 2020 World Series over the Tampa...

Centered in Christ, Dolphins rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa gets win in first NFL start

For the first time ever, Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took the field at...

Grounded in faith, Ravens' John Harbaugh & Steelers' Mike Tomlin set to make NFL history

Games between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are often close and always notoriously fierce....

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac remains hopeful in God during grueling ACL rehab

The unprecedented 2019-2020 NBA season, and along with it the NBA bubble at Disney World...

With Christ-centered program, Liberty football now 6-0 under head coach Hugh Freeze

Each autumn, as the leaves change and the temperature dwindles, so does the number of...

Christ-following umpire Chris Guccione returns for his second World Series

After four years, MLB umpire Chris Guccione is back in the Fall Classic. He is...

Defenseman Torey Krug grateful for Bruins teammates, fans as he joins St. Louis Blues

After spending nine seasons with the Boston Bruins organization, NHL defenseman Torey Krug is headed...

Trey Burton scores first 2 TDs of Colts career as he points teammates toward Christ

Not many tight ends rush for touchdowns in the NFL, but that's how Trey Burton...

Injured Cowboys QB Dak Prescott: 'I'm thankful that He's my Savior'

The last time NFL fans saw Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, he was being carted...

Tennessee QB Ryan Tannehill leads Titans to 4-0 start, aims to reflect God’s light

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill may have been the best player on the field Tuesday...

Clemson RB Travis Etienne plays 'for Him,' thanks God after setting FBS touchdown record

The Clemson Tigers proved once again Saturday night why they are the No. 1 team...

Legendary FSU football coach Bobby Bowden in hospital due to COVID-19

Bobby Bowden, the second winningest coach in the history of major college football, was transported...

As fame grows and NFL awaits, NDSU QB Trey Lance is grounded in faith

FCS powerhouse North Dakota State emerged victorious in it's one and only game of the...

WR Jermaine Kearse retires from NFL, looks forward to 'what God has planned'

After an eight-year career, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse announced in an Instagram post Tuesday that...

QB Nick Foles leads Chicago to comeback win in first appearance with Bears

Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles finds himself back in the headlines on Monday, a day...

NASCAR's Ty Dillon trusts God's provision amid uncertainty of team's sale

The NASCAR world is celebrating the entry into the sport of one of the most...

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey trusts God's plan after high-ankle sprain

The Carolina Panthers will be without running back Christian McCaffrey for multiple weeks thanks to...

New Padres reliever Trevor Rosenthal trusts in Christ as San Diego clinches playoff berth

Padres relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal may have found his home in San Diego during this...

A's closer Liam Hendriks leads MLB in saves as he leverages platform for Christ

As the 60-game sprint known as the 2020 MLB season comes to an end in...

Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto: 'The No. 1 thing I am is a follower of Christ'

Catcher J.T. Realmuto has been out of the Philadelphia Phillies lineup since Saturday, when he...