Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS

Millions of fans around the world got a first-hand glimpse of more than just the tremendous talent of the Philadelphia Eagles at last night’s Super Bowl LII, they also saw a team full of players who aren’t in the least bit shy about declaring Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Just after pulling off a 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots, Eagles coach Doug Pederson was interviewed by sportscaster Dan Patrick.

“How do you explain this, that nine years ago you’re coaching in high school and here you are with this trophy?” Dan Patrick asked.

Pederson replied, “I can only give the praise to my lord and savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity . . .” he said before handing the rest of the credit to the players.

Eagles Quarterback Nick Foles, who has made no secret of his longing to become a pastor when his football days are behind him, looked into the camera just moments after the win and said, “Unbelievable! All glory to God!”

During a post-game interview, Eagles star tight end, Zach Ertz, spoke about all the adversity the team has been through, then added, “But our God is good always!”

These guys are just saying this to sound humble – they mean it.

Everyone is talking about the revival that has been sweeping through the Eagles locker room all season long. The team prays together, enjoys offseason Bible studies, and even communal baptisms when a player is ready to give his life to Jesus.

Eagles Safety Malcolm Jenkins made his decision to declare Jesus as his Lord in October and accepted baptism.

“I’ve seen like three guys get baptized at the team facility. I don’t think that’s happened anywhere. It’s just one of those things that faith is a really important part of this team. And we commune with one another often times. We talk about it, and it’s been unique and special to watch that unfold in an NFL locker room,” Jenkins told CBN.

And none of these players are the least bit reluctant to talk about it.

Eagles wide receiver Marcus Johnson being baptized in October while team players look on.

Just two days ago, Ertz told Faithwire that this team wants to make disciples for Christ.

“Our number one goal on this earth is to make disciples,” Ertz told Faithwire two days ago. “So faith in football this Sunday is huge, it’s a platform to have that we have to draw people to the Word, to Jesus, it’s something we don’t take for granted by any means. It’s obviously a responsibility, but we love it. We want to draw people to Christ.”

Ertz is a newcomer to life in Christ. During the ups and downs of a tumultuous season, he noticed that players like quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Nick Foles weren’t struggling with the same issues and he admitted to being “envious” of what they did. He began searching for eventually began to have a relationship with Jesus Christ that led to his baptism.

“I dedicated my life to Christ back in March. I was baptized in March, got married the next day. Our marriage has been built on that foundation from the word and Jesus and it’s changed my life. And just to have these guys [his teammates] hold me accountable on a daily basis has been phenomenal for me. I hope I do the same for them,” Ertz told CBN a few days ago.

Eagles Tackle Will Beatty is right there with him. “My faith in the Lord has been my foundation. It’s been as they say your rock, your strong point. He’s what I stand on. As a team, we’re strong in the faith. People say underdogs, and we’re like, we consider ourselves blessed,” Beatty said.

Foles agrees. “My faith in the Lord means everything. I’m a believer in Jesus Christ and that’s first and foremost. That’s everything. I wouldn’t be able to do this game without Him because I don’t have the strength to go out and do this. This is supernatural,” he told CBN.

The way he played last night was indeed supernatural with many of the faithful among the Eagles fan base praying that God would reward these outspoken disciples with the city’s first Super Bowl win.

Apparently, He heard their prayers. Patriots’ Super Star Tom Brady had an unusually tough night.

Although the Patriots have many equally outspoken Christians among them, Tom Brady is known for his health/lifestyle/spiritual brand known as the TB12 method and his association with a New Age guru named Alex Querrero who was banned from the Patriots’ locker room this year.

Rev. Leslie Callahan, an Eagles fan and pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia, couldn’t help but joke that spiritual forces of a different kind may be at work among the Patriots.

Something crazy always seems to happen in their games, she told the Washington Post, from all of his remarkable comebacks to game-saving interceptions that always manage to pull off a win.

“It feels like there is some kind of ‘angels in the outfield’ working for them,” she joked. “Except that it doesn’t feel like angels.”

Last night, the real angels appear to have won the day!

Go Eagles!

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