Patriots, Seahawks stars give glory to God after championship wins send teams to Super Bowl LX

Two standout players with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks gave glory to God during nationally televised interviews Sunday, making their faith front and center after reaching the biggest stage in American sports.

The Patriots beat Denver 10–7 in Sunday’s AFC Championship, followed by the Seahawks’ 31–27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship, sending both teams to Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California.

The Patriots and Seahawks are filled with Christians who are bold about their faith – something that became evident during postgame interviews with players from both teams.

“I just want to give all the glory to God,” Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba told Fox Sports after catching 10 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown. He led the NFL during the regular season in receiving yards (1,793).

“Without Him, I’m nothing,” Smith-Njigba added. “Just what He has had on this team and this city and myself, I’m just – I just want to give Him all the glory. It’s an honor to be here in Seattle. It’s an honor to lace them up with these guys. For us to be going to the Super Bowl, it’s a dream come true.”

New England quarterback Drake Maye also pointed to his faith after a defensive tug-of-war in the snow, where points were hard to come by. Maye threw for just 86 yards but avoided interceptions and ran for a key first down in the final seconds to seal the win. He also led the NFL during the regular season in a key category: completion percentage (72.0).

“Thank the good Lord,” Maye said, standing on a snow-covered field as snow continued to fall. “What an atmosphere out here, battling the elements. Love this team. How about the defense? [I] love each and every one.

“The Pats are back, baby,” he added, pointing to the team’s struggles since the departure of legendary quarterback Tom Brady.

Both Smith-Njigba and Maye have been open about their faith throughout their NFL careers.

Drafted out of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba told the Reset podcast last year that he wants to make a difference in the Seattle community for Jesus.

“Whether that’s visiting hospitals, schools, whatever, I just want to have my hand in this community and build it and share my testimony and my faith in God,” he said. “Just be on the highest stage and praise His name, because that’s what I feel I’m ultimately here to do.”

Meanwhile, Maye, who played college football at North Carolina, previously told WEEI in Boston that sharing the gospel is his life’s goal.

“I think the biggest thing is using my platform to spread the Word and spread the Good News,” Maye said last December. “That’s one of the biggest things that I’ve tried to work on in my career is using my platform to inspire young kids or inspire even older people that may not be into their faith as much. Just to know that it’s out there for everybody.”

Smith-Njigba and Maye are far from the only Christians on two rosters filled with believers. Patriots’ rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson told media members last fall that he’s matured in his faith and that “at the end of the day, I want God to have His way. Not my will but His will be done.”

Seattle wide receiver Cooper Kupp previously said he wants to be “a light in this world, filled and guided by His spirit, and to make the most of every day according to His will.” And New England tight end Hunter Henry said in 2022 that he strives to glorify God because, as he put it, God “gave me these abilities, and this is a way for me to go out there and worship Him.”

Super Bowl LX will be broadcast on NBC.