Former NFL coach Tony Dungy, Sept. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
In high school and college, I ran track and cross country. I wasn’t elite, but I trained hard, competed well and — like many athletes — developed a race-day routine to calm my nerves and focus my mind.
One essential part of that routine was reading Scripture. I gathered some of my favorite encouraging verses on a slip of paper that I tucked into my spike bag, and I’d meditate on them as I prepared to race. One of those verses was 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT): “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!”
In those moments, the familiar words of Scripture motivated me to go for the win — but I also knew then, and even more so now, that following Christ takes continued training and discipline. The key difference is that when we follow Christ, we’re running toward a Heavenly reward rather than an earthly achievement. As I prepared for those earthly races, I needed Heavenly truth I could understand, remember and apply. I needed God’s voice to be clear.
Whether you’re stepping onto a track, a court, a field or just into another day of life, hearing God’s Word in a voice that’s both accurate and understandable makes a massive difference. The NLT is translated from the earliest and most reliable Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts, but its wording is clear and easy to understand. It’s written so you can experience God’s Word in a way that speaks to your heart, enriches your understanding and transforms your life. And that makes it the perfect “pregame” Bible — whatever your game may be.
“One of the biggest blessings in my life has been the NLT Life Application Study Bible,” former NFL coach and Hall of Famer Tony Dungy said. “I’ve passed it out to a lot of people.”
Coach Dungy’s words capture something vital: When God’s Word is easy to understand and apply, it’s not just read — it’s shared.
Whether you’re a coach investing in your players, a teammate encouraging a friend, or simply someone trying to live faithfully from day to day, the NLT helps bring clarity to the Bible’s message and confidence in how to live it out. It is a trusted playbook — full of wisdom, strategy and encouragement that’s accurate and understandable. And, when Scripture is written in a way that flows naturally and speaks clearly, it’s not only easier to understand — it’s easier to remember, easier to share and easier to apply to all of life.
Another strength of the NLT is that it is audibly enjoyable. The language flows naturally when read aloud — whether you are in a team devotion, a personal quiet time or a workout session listening to an audio Bible. Its cadence and clarity make it ideal for athletes on the go who want to stay rooted in God’s Word, even amid the busyness of training and life.
The truth is we all face high-pressure moments. For athletes, it might be the last lap of a relay or needing a score in the final seconds. For others, it might be a big life decision, a conflict at home or a season of uncertainty. Through it all, we need a voice we can trust and understand — one that speaks to our hearts in a language we can grasp.
That’s what the NLT delivers. It’s a Bible translation that is:
Accurate — Faithful to the original language texts and designed for in-depth study Understandable — Clear and accessible for all readers to engage with meaningfully Audibly Enjoyable — Beautifully crafted for reading aloud, teaching, preaching or memorizing
No matter where you are in your faith journey, or what kind of race you’re running, the Bible is the best playbook. And the NLT helps make sure you can read, understand and apply it with confidence.
So, whether you’re preparing for competition or just preparing for the day ahead, open your Bible. Let God’s Word shape your mindset, strengthen your spirit and help you run your race with purpose.
Sandra Hoekstra-Lower is a marketing director at Tyndale House Publishers.
From left: Christian Pulisic, VJ Edgecombe, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Hannah Hidalgo, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. (AP Photos)
Welcome to 2026!
As the calendar turns over, an exciting year awaits for fans and athletes alike. Records will fall, champions will be crowned, and the desire to win will push athletes to their absolute limits. Many of those athletes will also seek to glorify Jesus through their words and actions over the next 365 days, and Sports Spectrum will continue to cover all that God is doing in the world of sports.
To get the year started, we’ve compiled a list of 13 such Christ-following athletes (in no particular order) set to make headlines in the sports world this year.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, NFL
As this third-year pro has played a crucial role in helping the Seattle Seahawks become one of the best teams in the NFL this season, he’s become one of the league’s best wide receivers. A Pro Bowler in 2024, Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receiving yards, helping the Seahawks become the league’s No. 2 scoring offense. At only 23, many bright days appear to be ahead for JSN. But catching touchdowns is not his deepest purpose. “I just want to have my hand in this community and build it and share my testimony and my faith in God,” Smith-Njigba said earlier this season. “Just be on the highest stage and praise His name, because that’s what I feel I’m ultimately here to do.”
Christian Pulisic, U.S. men’s national team
For the U.S. men’s national soccer team, 2026 is a make-or-break year. The Americans are hosting the 48-team FIFA World Cup (along with Canada and Mexico), and much of the weight for the U.S.’s performance will fall on the shoulders of this 27-year-old. Considered the best player on the national team, Pulisic (who plays for Italy’s AC Milan) said he’s grown in his faith while playing in some of the biggest soccer leagues in the world. “Something that I’ve grown a lot closer with this past year is my belief in God, especially being alone over here,” Pulisic said in January 2021. “I feel like I always have Someone who’s with me. I don’t know how I would do any of this without that feeling that He’s watching over me and there’s a reason why I’m here.”
Hannah Hidalgo, women’s college basketball
Powered by this dynamic two-time first-team All-American, the Notre Dame women are on their way to a fifth consecutive 20-win season and NCAA Tournament appearance. Hidalgo’s career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals are all in jeopardy of being broken this season, and the Fighting Irish are expected to vie for the ACC regular-season title. The junior is not yet eligible for the WNBA Draft, but she’s proven she’s one of the most explosive scorers in women’s college basketball. And she knows it’s all a gift. “Christ is my everything,” she said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in 2024. “He’s my Lord and Savior. He’s the reason that I fight, the reason that I do everything, the reason that I’m able to do what I do. He’s just everything in my life, and I wouldn’t be able to do anything without Him.”
Mark Scheifele, NHL
Back in 2011, this Jet was Winnipeg’s first-ever draft pick after the team relocated from Atlanta. Now 15 years later, the 32-year-old is still making plays. He recorded a career high last season with 87 points, and he’s Winnipeg’s career leader in numerous statistical categories (including games played, goals and points). Now, the big question is whether he can lead his team to its first-ever Stanley Cup. But whatever happens this year, he will praise his Father in Heaven. “Praise Him when things are good and praise Him when things are bad,” he said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in 2024. “I feel so lucky that I was raised in a home where faith was important, and it’s kind of like hockey. Hockey is always a game that you can always grow at. … And faith, it’s the same thing.”
Will Anderson Jr., NFL
This Houston Texans’ edge rusher is wrapping up his third season, once again proving he’s one of the best in the NFL at getting to opposing quarterbacks. The former No. 3 overall pick set new career highs in both sacks and total tackles this season, and he’s a captain for the top-ranked defense in the NFL. Anderson’s performance is likely to earn him a massive contract extension this offseason, but he’s concerned primarily about God’s acceptance of Him. “My focus is just less on what everybody has to say and more on God,” he said in July 2024. “I think my biggest thing is knowing that, like I always tell y’all, my approval comes from Him. Ultimately, everything that I achieve in this lifetime, I’m putting Him first for it, because He’s the reason why I’m here.”
Ethan Holliday, MLB prospect
The Colorado Rockies landed not only an elite baseball prospect, but a son of one of the best players in franchise history when they drafted Holliday with the fourth overall pick in July’s MLB Draft. The son of legendary Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday, Ethan is hoping to replicate his father’s baseball success. The 18-year-old is also hoping for a similarly rapid climb through the minor leagues as his older brother, Jackson. The entire Holliday family is known for declaring their faith in Christ publicly. “I knew there were going to be pressures, expectations, but being able to come and find my identity in Christ has taken so much weight off of this journey and I feel free,” Ethan told Sports Spectrum. “It’s a peace you can’t explain. … Navigating through sports and life, if I didn’t have Christ as my center, I don’t know how I could ever do it.”
Jordyn Tyson, NFL Draft prospect
This fourth-year receiver from Arizona State continued to climb NFL Draft boards after putting together another impressive season: 61 receptions, 711 yards and eight touchdowns in nine regular-season games. Many expect Tyson to be one of the top receivers selected in April’s draft, and to provide immediate versatility to an NFL offense. Whatever happens between now and April, however, his full trust is in God’s good purposes. “Regardless of what happens in my life, I’m still gonna be a follower — still gonna have that faith,” he said in October. “Yes sir, I fully trust [God’s plan.] There’s obviously some stuff that I want to happen, but it don’t work like that all the time.”
VJ Edgecombe, NBA
This rookie shooting guard is off to a hot start with the Philadelphia 76ers, sliding right into the starting lineup for a team on track to far eclipse its win total from a season ago. Philly’s first-round pick and the No. 3 overall selection out of Baylor (and the Bahamas) in the 2025 NBA Draft, Edgecombe is still just 20 years old, and NBA fans are excited for his future. For him, however, his one season with Baylor, in the program’s culture of J.O.Y., was significant in giving him an eternal perspective. “I promise you, basketball is going to stop,” he said after Baylor’s loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. “How I’m going to approach life after that? I just want to be the best man I can be. I just want to stay connected to God, and if you want to stay connected to God, come to Baylor.”
Mallory Swanson, U.S. women’s national team
This 27-year-old of the Chicago Stars will have at least one more fan cheering her on in 2026, as she and her husband, MLB shortstop Dansby Swanson, welcomed a baby girl, Josie James, in November. Mallory is known for her prolific goal-scoring abilities, and she will try to return to form rapidly in 2026 after missing all of the 2025 NWSL season due to her pregnancy. She and Dansby have sought to center their marriage and parenting on Jesus. The importance of a relationship with God was impressed upon Mallory a few years ago, when she was struggling with injuries and inconsistent play. “My faith in Him has grown immensely,” she said in 2022. “Me getting injured and me missing the Olympics, and me kind of finding myself on the field again, it really started because I found myself in Christ even more.”
Bennett Stirtz, NBA Draft prospect
In less than half a season, this Iowa Hawkeye is making quite a splash in the college basketball world. Stirtz began his college career at Northwest Missouri State in 2022 before eventually transferring to Drake in 2024 and finally Iowa in 2025, where the Hawkeyes are eyeing an NCAA Tournament appearance. Everywhere the 22-year-old has been so far, he’s impressed, and NBA scouts are taking notice. Stirtz regularly appears near the top of NBA Draft boards, and he knows that as his fame grows, so grows his ability to point others to the only One who can save. “I think God’s given me a platform, and that’s one of the reasons why — and probably the biggest reason why — I play basketball,” he told Sports Spectrum, “just having the platform and using the platform in the right way to give glory to Him.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., MLB
The Toronto Blue Jays and their superstar slugger experienced heartbreak in the thrilling, seven-game World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025. Now in 2026, with the return of key players like Guerrero, Toronto is again expected to be amongst the World Series favorites. In order to finish the job this year, Toronto will need its 26-year-old five-time All-Star, who still might not have reached his baseball prime. He knows the long climb back to the top of the baseball world begins with his daily routines, and the one he values above all is his time in God’s Word. “Jesus Christ is everything,” he said before the 2024 All-Star Game. “I read the Bible before every game, when I wake up. I pray and read the Bible before bed.”
Veronica Burton, WNBA
The Golden State Valkyries’ guard is a rising star in the WNBA, having been named the league’s Most Improved Player in 2025 and being an all-defensive second-team selection. In addition to her exploits for the Valkyries, the 25-year-old has also been busy building up her international basketball resume; she won gold at the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in November, and she participated in the women’s national team training camp in December. Burton credits it all to the work of God in her life. “The one thing that I try and thank Him for every day is just the opportunities that He’s presented for me,” she said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in 2023, “because I’ve been able to experience a lot of great things, and things have worked out in my favor. And a lot of that has to do with Him and the grace that He has for me.”
Ty Simpson, NFL Draft prospect
Despite a season-opening loss to Florida State, this redshirt junior helped Alabama right the ship and make the 12-team College Football Playoff as the No. 9 seed. After passing for 3,056 yards on 256 completions with 25 touchdowns and only four interceptions during the 2025 regular season, Simpson is projected to be selected near the top of the NFL Draft. But no matter where his vast football abilities lead him, his identity will remain firmly in Christ. “Football means a lot to me, don’t get me wrong,” he said in August. “I’m going to make sure I do everything, because He’s given me this platform and He’s given me this opportunity. But no matter how many touchdowns I throw, no matter how many wins I have at the University of Alabama, I’m a Christian first.”
FCA leader Joshua McKenzie hugs a Purdue student-athlete at Baptism Night, Oct. 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Purdue FCA)
Joshua McKenzie knew he needed to do something. In recent weeks, several Purdue athletes had expressed a desire to be baptized — decisions that grew naturally out of their ongoing study through the Gospel of Matthew.
“A couple weeks ago, we were looking at the baptism of Jesus and there were some questions around what does baptism look like in your own life,” McKenzie told Sports Spectrum. “One athlete said they were interested in getting baptized, and honestly, that just kind of spurred in me that we should just give an invitation for any of our athletes to get baptized.”
Following that conversation, McKenzie extended the opportunity to any athlete who wanted to take that next step of faith. Before long, 13 athletes from multiple sports responded — including five football players, several cheerleaders and a track athlete.
Thus, Baptism Night was scheduled for Oct. 22. McKenzie — who also leads football chapels for the Boilermakers — and the FCA leaders took time to talk with each athlete about what baptism means and what it symbolizes: a public declaration of faith and a step of obedience in following Christ.
Several athletes, including football players Demeco Kennedy and CJ Madden, prepared a written testimony to share with those in attendance before being baptized.
Kennedy described himself as a “lukewarm believer” who hadn’t been to church since he was an infant. He heard about God growing up but didn’t truly know Him. When he got to college, he knew he needed to get right with God. Marty Dittmar, who has served as the Purdue athletic department’s chaplain since 1997 (and joined FCA’s staff in 2011), mentored him and connected him with McKenzie.
“Since giving my life to Christ, it definitely hasn’t been easy,” Kennedy wrote. “However, God’s love has shown me that this is the way I want to live my life, glorifying Him in all I do. Christ changed me in so many ways and made me such a better person. I truly am blessed and highly favored and couldn’t have made a better decision.”
Madden said he’s known about Jesus “ever since I could remember.” But his understanding of faith was flawed and he thought being a “good person” was enough. When he got to college, he felt empty and could tell that what he was chasing was going to leave him unsatisfied.
“As I started to get back to my Christian roots, I started to ask questions,” he said. “The enemy depicted an image of Jesus Christ to me that was inaccurate, so I looked into other religions like Islam. After studying and even practicing Islam, my soul did not feel fulfilled. When I came to Purdue, I met a young lady who was deep in her faith. She redirected me on a path that led me towards living fully for Christ. She is now my girlfriend and I know from the bottom of my heart God used her to draw me closer to Him.
“Today, I publicly declare my faith in Jesus. This is the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.”
Purdue FCA has held baptism events in the past, but McKenzie said this one stood out because of how organically it materialized.
Attendance at Purdue’s FCA huddles has grown significantly this year, averaging around 80 athletes each week — more than double last year’s average of 35. McKenzie said he’s already seeing ripple effects from that October night.
“It’s really cool to see the fruit already and the interest from other athletes,” McKenzie said.
And Purdue isn’t alone. Across college athletics, many are seeing what feels like a revival taking shape. In the past year, campuses such as Ohio State, Western Kentucky (and Conference USA), Pitt, Vanderbilt and Alabama have seen dozens of athletes publicly profess faith through baptism or worship gatherings.
McKenzie believes something is stirring in this generation. And because of social media, word can spread quickly about what’s happening elsewhere around the country.
“Now, in real time, we’re seeing what God’s doing on campus,” he said. “Could He have been doing this years ago? Quite possibly. But I do think the culture has changed. That’s very evident. These students on campus, if they’re professing Christ, that’s more unique than previously was before, especially in the Midwest and the South where seemingly everyone was a Christian. Now, it’s not a given.
“Those who are professing Christ are maybe more faithfully following Christ. There’s just more of a dividing line where you’re either in or you’re out. I don’t see as many college students on the fence.”
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” — Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
I have a friend who’s an incredible runner. He’s won numerous races, including several marathons, and he loves it. It’s his passion, and whenever he talks about it, I’m inspired to start running too.
After one conversation, I started looking for 5Ks and 10Ks to register for and dreamed of crossing that finish line. I knew it would take time and effort, so I asked my friend for tips, like what kind of running shoes I should buy, how to get started, what I should eat, and how to train for endurance.
He gave me all kinds of resources and suggestions, and they just sat in my inbox. I had all the information, all the knowledge, all the resources to start training for a race, but I did nothing. I read the material and knew what I needed to do to train, but I never actually put it into practice.
The same can be true for the race God has set before us. Maybe we read the Bible and go to church, but are we living out God’s truth? We have to do more than just know what’s in the Bible or how to live like Christ; we have to put our knowledge into practice.
What’s slowing us down? Are we prioritizing other aspects of our lives? Do we feel that the life Christ has called us to is too hard, so why even try? Does the Bible seem like it’s too big to tackle? Or do we think church is just something on a good person’s checklist?
“The Christian life involves focus and training,” reads the note for Hebrews 12:1-4 from the Life Application Study Bible. “It requires us to give up whatever hinders or endangers our relationship with God and to run with stamina and commitment in the power of the Holy Spirit. We will stumble if we look away from Him to worry about ourselves or look at the opposition, trials, or suffering facing us. We should be running solely for Christ, not our own glory or success, and we must always keep Him in sight.”
So how do we do that? If we’ve been tripped up by sin or apathy, how do we get going again? How do we run for Christ? Using a resource like the Life Application Study Bible is a great start. It was designed to answer the “so what?” question so we can not only know the Bible but — through the transformation of the Holy Spirit — be able to live it out in our daily lives.
Maybe we need to re-think why we do what we do. Am I using the tools and resources God has given me to run the race, or am I letting them “sit in my inbox”? Just like training for a 5K, it starts with small steps. Consider one of the following suggestions as a good first step for you:
Read one verse and ask, “How can I live this out today?”
Write down one “weight” (distraction or sin) to surrender to God this week.
Commit to using a study tool, like the Life Application Study Bible, daily for one week.
Don’t let God’s truth sit in your inbox. Put it into practice. Fix your eyes on Jesus, strip off the weights that hold you back, and run with endurance the race He has marked out for you.
Evie Polsley is a marketing manager at Tyndale Bibles.
Left to right: Tyler Tanner, Hannah McLaughlin, Eli Stowers. (AP Photos, Photo courtesy of X/@VandySoccer)
It’s an exciting time at Vanderbilt University, and not just because ESPN’s “College GameDay” is coming to town to highlight the 10th-ranked football team’s matchup against No. 15 Missouri. On Monday night, hundreds of students gathered on campus at the Alumni Lawn to worship God and hear from athletes about how He has worked in their lives.
The event was titled “Come As You Are” and was similar to other athlete-led faith events sprouting up across the United States. The night brought together Vanderbilt athletics with various Christian ministries on campus, and featured worship songs, testimonies from Commodore athletes, a time of prayer, free shirts and Bibles, and — of course — free food.
“The inspiration of the event was from Ohio State,” Vanderbilt student organizer James Chen told Sports Spectrum.
The three testimonials Monday came from the football team’s Eli Stowers, the men’s basketball team’s Tyler Tanner, and the women’s soccer team’s Hannah McLaughlin.
“I’m so thankful for this opportunity to speak about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Stowers said, via an Instagram account dedicated to the event. “It’s through Him that we are able to inherit the Kingdom of God, and I hope to spread that message to others.”
Tanner was also eager to share the Good News of Jesus with his fellow students.
“I want to be able to spread the Gospel to as many people as possible,” he said, via the Instagram account. “I want others to feel the Lord and grow in their faith just like me.”
McLaughlin counted it as a gift to share what Christ has done in her life.
“Jesus has saved me and completely changed my life,” she said, “and to have the chance to speak about Him and what He’s done for me at an event like this is such a blessing.”
The movement toward Christianity amongst the younger generation has made it’s way into the athletic department at Vanderbilt, Chen said. Athletes from many of the school’s sports teams wore shirts advertising for “Come As You Are” in the weeks leading up to the event.
“You really, really see [a movement toward Christ] in the sports teams,” Chen said, noting that Stowers and quarterback Diego Pavia have helped develop a Christ-centered culture within the football program. There are now multiple team Bible studies, and many players pray before games.
“Not only is football doing that but basketball, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, baseball even — Vandy Boys,” Chen said. “Every single team on Vanderbilt’s campus has had something going on with it.”
“Our main foundational verse is Matthew 11:28: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,'” Chen explained. “That’s kind of how we came up with the name ‘Come As You Are’ because we wanted to make it very clear and evident that Jesus’ promise for rest and His salvation is for everyone.”
Christ is moving in powerful ways throughout the United States to draw young people to Himself — in dorm rooms, in locker rooms, and on Monday for all to see at Vanderbilt’s Alumni Lawn.
That’s why I’ve come to love the New Living Translation (NLT).
