The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship made headlines for more than the play on the field. The game famously featured two teams, Notre Dame and Ohio State, whose players openly expressed spirituality throughout the season. New research released today by Sports Spectrum shows fans are supportive of athletes, like these football players, talking about their faith.

Sports Spectrum surveyed 1,540 U.S. adults about their views on a wide range of issues, including faith in sports, gambling, and plans for watching Super Bowl LIX on Sunday. The survey found that 56% of sports fans are supportive of athletes sharing their faith, with another 33% neutral and just 12% being unsupportive.

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The survey was conducted by communications firm Pinkston between Jan. 24-30, 2025, among religious and non-religious U.S. adults who watch sports at least a few times a month.

“These findings underscore a real opportunity for athletes to connect with fans on a deeper level by sharing their beliefs and values,” said Sports Spectrum President Steve Stenstrom. “Whether it’s their faith, charitable initiatives, or personal convictions, fans are eager for meaningful engagement beyond the game.”

Faith in sports is not a new phenomenon. Throughout history, some of the most legendary athletes have openly discussed their beliefs. From Olympic runner Eric Liddell, who famously refused to race on a Sunday due to his Christian convictions, to modern icons like Tim Tebow, who popularized his prayerful celebration, faith has long held a presence in major athletics. What has changed, however, is the platform. Social media and increased media coverage have allowed faith to become a much more visible and widely discussed aspect of sports today.

In fact, 60% of survey respondents engage with sports teams or athletes on social media. As fans increasingly seek authenticity and personal connection, social media has become a key platform for athletes to build trust and extend their impact both on and off the field. Notably, 78% of survey respondents said an athlete’s personal character influences their perception of them.

In previous decades, athletes’ faith was primarily observed through interviews, postgame press conferences, or brief moments on the field. Today, platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow athletes to share Bible verses, personal testimonies, and reflections in real time. This has led to a stronger sense of community among fans who share their beliefs. The ability to reach millions directly has made faith more visible in sports than ever before.

The survey also asked Christians about their views on sports gambling. The report found that about 42% of Christians are supportive of sports gambling, 35% were neutral, and 22% opposed gambling.

Sports betting has surged its way to the forefront of our lives. While many people do it responsibly, the impacts of problem gambling is noticeable. Research from USC and UCLA shows a “substantial increase” in bankruptcy, collections, and delinquencies in states that have legalized online sports betting.

For Christians that don’t want to engage in sports betting, it’s a difficult topic to avoid. This year’s Super Bowl LIX, for example, is partly sponsored by FanDuel. Super Bowl ads for sports betting and special promos for first-time bettors are widespread and ingrained in the mediums that many fans enjoy sports through.

In reaction to these numbers about sports gambling, Stenstrom noted, “There’s a guy on every offensive line whose job is to guard his quarterback’s blind side — to protect him from what he can’t see coming. We as Christians need to be protecting our blind side when it comes to problem gambling. There’s an opportunity to look inwardly and think deeply about the effects of sports betting and what it means for our spiritual relationship with Jesus.”

What the research also suggests is that sports, specifically the platform of prominent athletes, can be a reflection of broader cultural conversations. Fans are paying attention to what athletes have to say and want to hear from them on the issues that matter most. They’re interested in getting to know the personal lives and convictions of the athletes they follow.

According to the survey, a whopping 74% of people are supportive of players who use their platforms to promote nonprofit causes that matter to them, while 22% are neutral, and only 5% are opposed. In addition, 43% of people are supportive of players talking about politics, while 33% are neutral, and 23% are opposed.

How great has it been to see so many in college football praising Jesus these last few weeks? pic.twitter.com/9xBt33E8Ir

— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 15, 2025

The opportunity for athletes that this research highlights is tremendous, but it also means that athletes must navigate their influence thoughtfully and lead with integrity.

Fans want to see people of good character, not just excellent play on the field or court. Again, when asked if the personal character of an athlete influences their perception of them, 78% of people said it does.

“Sports have a unique power to shape culture and society, bringing people together across backgrounds and beliefs,” said Benjamin Watson, former NFL tight end and Sports Spectrum contributor. “These findings create an incredible opportunity for athletes to lead with conviction and impact their communities in meaningful ways.”

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