Athletes Thanking God on TV | Keep God in Life

You've seen it a million times before: a star athlete just hit the big shot or won the big game. They are pulled aside for an interview, the mic and camera in his face. The reporter asks the routine question: "How did it feel to be in that moment?"

The athlete answers, "First I'd like to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to be here tonight."

It's a response that might not make a lot of sense to someone without faith. What about the opponents? Don't they believe in God, too? How'd God decide which team would win and which team would lose?

Most of us are taught growing up that there are two things not to discuss in company: religion and politics. It's a bold statement to profess your faith and thank the Lord on national television, for something that many would take full credit for themselves. 

Take Doris Burke, for example, when she interviewed Kevin Durant after a string of successful 30+ point games. 

"What goes into a streak like this?"

He responded, "God. That’s all I can say. Jesus Christ.”

KD isn't saying that his laser-focused shooting hand was touched by the hands of God Himself. It's actually much more simple than that. Durant is expressing that God has presence over all things in his life. Because of that, it'd be crazy to not thank Him when success happens. KD believes that none of it would be possible without God.

Christianity in a nutshell.

Of course, Kevin Durant is the one who spent all those hours in the gym. Kevin Durant trained to become one of the best shooters in the world. There are many gifted athletes in the world, some lacking the 6'11" frame that Durant stands on. KD acknowledges that he was blessed with the body, talent, and work ethic to become a superstar. His modesty is something to take note of; it's hard to be humble when you're on the Jumbotron. 

For today's modern athlete- and anyone in the public eye- fame and fortune are as intoxicating as any drug. Players spend their entire lives hearing how great they are. Actively practicing humility allows them to keep their ego in line, and there's no better way to do it than my acknowledging the fact that without God, they wouldn't be where they are. 

There are very few genuine answers to most questions that are asked in post-game interviews, and even fewer who offer an answer with any amount of insight. While it may be off-putting to the secular audience to hear a religious athlete praise Christ, they should recognize the athlete is staying true to their beliefs and not forgetting where they came from.