Disclaimer: I am not a personal fan of either of the teams featured here but I am always a fan of Jesus Christ and sharing the joy and power of our Lord!
As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes gear up for the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 20, the spotlight isn’t just on their athletic prowess but also on their shared Christian faith, and according to Riley Leonard that is not just a coincidence. Both teams have been vocal about sharing their belief in Jesus Christ, making this matchup even more intriguing.
“I just started trusting the Lord. I looked up and said, ‘Jesus, whatever your will is for my life, I trust it 100 percent.'”
Riley Leonard
Riley Leonard’s Faith Comments Stir Strong Reactions
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard recently made headlines with his comments about the role of faith in their journey to the championship. While some praised Leonard for his openness, others criticized him for attributing their success solely to faith. Leonard has never shied away from professing his faith, which was evidenced during his postgame interview with ESPN after Notre Dame’s victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
We’re the two main teams to just publicly display our faith the most. I truly believe that Jesus was looking over both our shoulders throughout the season & put these two teams on a pedestal for a reason.
Riley Leonard
Ohio State’s Ryan Day Supports His Players’ Faith
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, a practicing Catholic, has been supportive of his players’ faith. “We were called to be bold,” Day said. He appreciates the impact of faith on his team and believes it brings them closer together.
After Ohio State won the Cotton Bowl last weekend, defensive end Jack Sawyer told an ESPN reporter, “God’s blessed this team with so much ability. We wouldn’t be here without [God], so we give him all the credit first and foremost.”
Christian Gray’s Mission to Share His Faith
Notre Dame cornerback Christian Gray has also been vocal about his faith. “I feel like my mission is to share the glory of God for others and tell kids you can do the same thing,” Gray said. His dedication to his faith and his mission to inspire others is evident in his actions both on and off the field.
The Impact of Faith on the Field
The influence of faith on both teams is undeniable. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, who converted to Catholicism in 2021, has instituted game-day Mass for his players for the first time in over a decade.
“What better time is there to go have mass?” he asked the National Catholic Register in August 2022. “What better time to be able to really be on the edge of your seat to get every word that comes out of the priest’s mouth and to be as close to God as you can?”
Marcus Freeman, National Catholic Register in August 2022
Ohio State players have also embraced their faith, holding a campus rally that included baptisms at the start of the season. This shared commitment to their beliefs has created a strong sense of unity and purpose among the players.
As the two teams prepare to face off, it’s clear that their faith will play a significant role in their performance. Whether it’s Leonard’s belief in divine intervention or Gray’s mission to share his faith, the impact of their spirituality is evident. This championship game isn’t just about football; it’s about the power of faith and the bonds it creates.
Notre Dame and Ohio State meet in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 20, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
