QB Ty Simpson and Alabama’s star players testify to the power of Jesus: ‘Tonight is all about God’ 

Barely 24 hours after leading their team to a thrilling road victory over an SEC rival, star players for Alabama’s highly ranked football team stood on a campus stage Sunday and declared the saving power of Christ.   

Quarterback Ty Simpson joined wide receivers Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton, offensive lineman Wilkin Formby and defensive lineman Tim Keenan III inside Bryant-Denny Stadium for a night of worship and testimonies before an estimated crowd of 2,000. 

One day earlier, Simpson and his teammates rallied in the game’s final minutes for a 29-22 victory over a raucous home crowd in South Carolina, with Simpson tossing two touchdown passes — including one to Bernard.  

Alabama is 7-1 and ranked in the Top 5.  

The “Audience of One” event was organized by Bernard, a senior. 

“This has been on my heart for a couple of weeks now, and I’m so glad that God has been able to make this come to fruition,” Bernard said during the event, according to YellowHammer News. “I just want to say that tonight is all about God, all about giving glory to Him, and about just turning hearts.  

“And just wanted to give you guys an opportunity for this campus to come out and fellowship with our brothers.” 

The athlete-led worship service wasn’t an isolated event, with similar gatherings taking place this fall at Ohio State, Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt.  

Meanwhile, the Unite US movement continues to organize worship nights on campuses across the country, drawing thousands of college students at each stop — such as 8,000 in September at the University of Tennessee. Some observers believe a revival is stirring among Gen Z. 

“God wanted me to understand that I’m a Christian first before I’m a football player,” said Simpson, a national favorite for All-American honors who is in the running for the Heisman Trophy given to college football’s most outstanding player.  

A Christian can have joy even in the midst of trials, Simpson said. 

“We kind of go by this motto in the Simpson household: How can you have a bad day knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ died for you? … No matter where I’m at, no matter what happens, God died for me,” he said, according to Sports Spectrum.  

“And I know I’m going to make the best out of it, whether we lose to Florida State or we barely [beat] South Carolina,” he added to laughter. 

Bernard, who leads all Alabama receivers in yards (526) and touchdowns (six), told the crowd he has drawn closer to the Lord through fasting.  

“Going into this year, when I really felt the presence of God was when I decided to fast,” Bernard said. “To break from my flesh, break from my own desires, and really pour out my heart to God. He really met me through that tough time that I was going through. Ever since then, I’ve just been on fire for Him.” 

(Image credit: Screenshot/Instagram/rileynicolephotos and thecrimsonwhite)