New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson had a Super Bowl to prepare for. And before the biggest game of his life, he was talking about Jesus.
"I just try to put my faith in Jesus and put my hope in him. I just wanna abide in the Lord and know that my identity and true fulfillment only comes from being in him. Abide in him, and he will abide in us. Apart from him, we can't do anything. But with him we will bear much fruit."
That is not a pre-game pep talk. That is theology. Henderson is not just saying he believes in Jesus. He is saying that his identity is rooted in Jesus, that fulfillment only comes from being in Jesus, and that apart from Jesus he cannot do anything. That is John 15 lived out loud on the biggest stage in American sports.
He went further. "The Great Commission is to go and make disciples of all nations. And so I want to continue to share my faith. And that takes courage, that takes boldness."
A young man standing in front of cameras before the Super Bowl and talking about the Great Commission. That is not something you hear every day. Henderson understands that the platform is not for him. It is for the gospel.
He closed with a direct call. "Don't be conformed to the patterns and the customs and behaviors of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Put your faith in Jesus and follow Jesus. God will never lead us the wrong way. He always leads us the right way."
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Are you abiding in Jesus or are you trying to bear fruit on your own?
This is what it looks like when someone understands that the Super Bowl is not the point. TreVeyon Henderson had every reason to talk about the game, the opponent, the preparation. Instead, he talked about abiding in Jesus, the Great Commission, and not being conformed to this world. He quoted John 15 and Romans 12 before a Super Bowl. That is not performance. That is conviction. Pray for TreVeyon Henderson and pray that more athletes use their platform to share the gospel with the same boldness.