5 NFL stars who used their platform to glorify God during Christmas week games

A host of NFL players used their platform to point fans to Jesus during their Christmas weekend games on national television, reminding viewers where their talent comes from – and why the season is worth celebrating.

The Christmas weekend games came as the NFL season winds down, with teams battling for division titles and playoff spots – and players out of the hunt fighting to impress teams for future contracts.

Here are five players who stood out not only for their performance on the gridiron, but for their outspoken faith, too.

Baltimore’s Derrick Henry. The 10th-year veteran running back led the Ravens with starting quarterback Lamar Jackson sidelined, rushing 36 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns in a 41–24 victory over Green Bay. It marked a career high in carries and a season high in rushing yards.

“First of all, I just want to give thanks to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Henry told NBC during a post-game interview. “All of our strength … comes from Him.”

Henry and his teammates, he said, “knew what we [had] to do to be able to put us in position to win.”

Baltimore travels to Pittsburgh Sunday and must win to make the playoffs.

San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey. The four-time Pro Bowl selection and dual-threat running back carried the ball 23 times for 140 yards and a touchdown to go along with 41 receiving yards, as the 49ers edged Chicago 42-38.

“God is good,” McCaffrey told NBC. He regularly discusses his faith during postgame interviews. “We’ve got such a resilient team. I love the character in this locker room – guys go down, guys step up. We really are one family.”

The 49ers have clinched a playoff spot and can secure the No. 1 seed by beating Seattle Saturday.

Miami’s Quinn Ewers. The rookie quarterback won his first game in only his second career start, passing for 172 yards and two touchdowns in the Dolphins’ 20-17 victory over Tampa Bay.

Asked how he remained calm, Ewers pointed to his faith.

“I think that it all pulls back down to where my foundation is, and my foundation of Jesus Christ allows me to just remain level in every situation – because at the end of the day, we’re human beings, and we’re seen as football players, [but] at the end of the day, we’re going to wake up tomorrow, our family is still going to love us. The people that matter are still going to love us,” he told Fox. 

The Dolphins previously were eliminated from the playoffs.

Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson. The standout running back had a career-like night Monday, rushing for 195 yards and a touchdown as the Falcons held off the Los Angeles Rams, 27-24, in a game that wasn’t decided until the final seconds.

“First off, I gotta give honor to God,” Robinson told ESPN. “Jesus has put us through a lot of adversity, but in this moment right here, He let us get this win. So I’ve got to give all the glory to Him. It’s just so much peace to know that God is in control of this whole team – in control of all of us. He’s what drives me, He’s what drives us as a team.”

The Falcons previously were eliminated from the playoffs.

Green Bay’s Malik Willis. The backup quarterback completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown in the Packers’ 41-24 loss to Baltimore – yet remained grateful despite the setback.

“To God be the glory in victory and defeat! Blessed to have this opportunity to glorify Him again! Gotta keep pushing,” he wrote on X before citing Matthew 6:33-34: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

The Packers already had secured a playoff spot.