(The Lion) — Only one team got to take home the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy Monday night, but both quarterbacks reflected on the game’s result by drawing on their faith.
“First and foremost, I’ve got to give the glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be here without him,” said quarterback Will Howard of the Ohio State Buckeyes, in an on-field interview just after his team’s win.
Opposing quarterback Riley Leonard, of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, had nearly the same response in his post-game press conference.
“I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the opportunity to play in this game,” he said, drawing attention to the shared Christian faith among so many players from both teams. “Us and Ohio State were the two teams who praised Jesus Christ the most, and I think that we strengthened each other in our faiths through coming to this game and competing against each other.”
Indeed, the Christian faith of both teams, and especially Ohio State, was a major topic of discussion before and after the game.
Even Scott Van Pelt of ESPN recognized the crucial role faith played for Ohio State after trials and setbacks throughout the season.
Before the season began, it seemed God was moving among players at Ohio State.
As reported by The Lion, many Buckeyes players arrived for fall football camp in August wearing shirts featuring prominent Christian messages such as “Follow Jesus,” “Jesus Won,” “Jesus Saves,” “God Got Me,” “Just Here To Give God Glory,” and other faith slogans.
The very same month, hundreds of students gathered for an on-campus Christian rally led by a number of current and former Ohio State football players, among them TreVeyon Henderson, J.T. Tuimoloau, Emeka Egbuka and Kamryn Babb.
After Monday’s game, an emotional Leonard, reflecting on Notre Dame’s loss, couldn’t help but see the silver lining:
“I’m happy to see godly men come out on top no matter what the circumstance is. I’m very happy to praise Jesus in the lowest of lows as well.”
Photo credit: FOX College Football (via X)
