By Mallory Mattingly
The NFL Draft took place in Pittsburgh last week with over 320,000 fans attending outside the Steelers’ Acrisure Stadium. Inside, many athletes spoke about their faith.
Fernando Mendoza started things off as the No. 1 pick, selected by the Las Vegas Raiders. After he was drafted he told ESPN’s Tayler McGregor, “The last 5 months have been such a blessing from God and I can’t thank Him enough.”
Love this. Fernando Mendoza publicly gives glory to God after being selected as No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
“The last 5 months have been such a blessing from God and I can’t thank Him enough.” pic.twitter.com/M1OR0IzJ3K
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) April 24, 2026
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson was the 8th athlete selected in the draft. He will start his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints. When Tyson’s name was called, he walked out to the stage to a gospel song called “Deliver Me” by Donald Lawrence.
“I am just thankful, so blessed. Lord is doing a work on me – He’s not done,” the athlete said through tears. “I am just gonna keep this thing rolling. I’m gonna give it my all, and that’s all I can do.”
Love this. Fernando Mendoza publicly gives glory to God after being selected as No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Related: ASU WR Glorifies God as He Declares for 2026 NFL Draft
“The last 5 months have been such a blessing from God and I can’t thank Him enough.” pic.twitter.com/M1OR0IzJ3K
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) April 24, 2026
Three picks later, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs was selected by the Dallas Cowboys. While at Ohio State, he won the Jim Thorpe award and was an All-American.
Downs also walked out to a gospel song; this time it was “King of Glory” by CeCe Winans.
“First of all, I just want to say thank God. Without that, none of us would be here. Just thanks for my Savior, Jesus Christ,” he said after his selection.
Caleb Downs is excited to keep the Downs’ family legacy rolling in Dallas ⭐️
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/v6WTCNALvi— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
University of Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa was selected by the New York Giants as the 10th overall pick.
As Mauigoa got the call from the Giants, his parents stood behind him, “praying and praising the Lord,” per Christhlete.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was selected 11th overall by the Los Angeles Rams. He told the media after he posed with his new jersey, “First off, I want to give all the glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The fact that I’m here on the stage at the Draft, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Him.”
POWERFUL: Rams 1st-round QB Ty Simpson gave all the GLORY TO GOD after he was drafted.
“First off, I want to give all the glory to my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. The fact that I’m here on the stage at the draft, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him” pic.twitter.com/FZtJmCS7NU
— Athletes for America (@A1Policy_AFA) April 24, 2026
Praise God for the work He’s doing in these athletes’ lives. Hopefully they continue to share about their faith as they step into their new NFL careers.
Read Next: Faith-Focused NFL Draft Prospects Lean on Jesus as They Chase Pro Dreams
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