By Mallory Mattingly
As we head into 2026, here are five athletes to watch this year as they continue to make an impact for Christ.
Trey Jemison
The New York Knicks center constantly shares his faith as he regularly hosts Bible studies on his social media pages. Jemison talks about topics like rest, perseverance, hope, faith, trust and discipline, all from a biblical perspective.
“Before I start setting the goals, before I start praying for more and more, I gotta be thankful for what God has already done,” Jemison shared in his final Bible study of 2025. “I’m willing to bet my whole NBA cup check and say God has blessed you 100 times. For 2025, you can sit down and write it out. God been so good in your life. Don’t take it for granted how good God has been.”
Nathan Carter
This rookie running back for the Atlanta Falcons also uses his platform to share his faith. Carter often reflects on what God’s teaching him on Instagram.
Related: 4 Faith-Filled NFL Stars to Watch in Super Bowl LIX
“A while ago, @johnsonbowie spoke to our team. He shared a powerful message: ‘The most important truth we can understand is being a child of God. If that is not enough, nothing will ever be enough,'” he said in one post. “One tragedy in Christianity is reducing it solely to heaven and hell. While eternity matters, we often overlook the precious gift Jesus instantly offers: adoption into God’s family. This truth affects every aspect of our lives!”
“Being a child of God is not just an encouraging title; it is a life-altering reality. A complete transformation in who we are. Once, we were orphans, enemies of God, and children of wrath. Through Jesus Christ, we are no longer orphans but are adopted. We are no longer enemies but reconciled friends. We are no longer children of wrath but beloved children of God,” he continued.
Bijan Robinson
Another rookie for the Atlanta Falcons, Robinson is one of the top running backs in the league this year. This season alone, he has totaled 1,478 rushing yards with seven touchdowns. However, aside from his great play, Robinson is a vessel for Christ.
“Yeah, well, first off, you know, I just want to give, you know, all honor to Jesus,” he told the media after his game against the Buffalo Bills. “Without God, none of this will happen. You know, I give Him all the glory and honor so everybody can see Him through us and Him through me. So it’s just such a blessing to be out here, and you know, to give Him so much glory every time we step on the field.”
Christian Pulisic
This U.S. men’s national soccer team star is ready to put the USA on top at the 2026 World Cup. America hosts this year, which means that a win matters more than ever. However, for Pulisic, his faith remains the top priority in his life.
“Something that I’ve grown a lot closer with this past year is my belief in God, especially being alone over here,” Pulisic told Sports Spectrum in 2021. “I feel like I always have Someone who’s with me. I don’t know how I would do any of this without that feeling that He’s watching over me and there’s a reason why I’m here.”
Mallory Swanson
On the other side of the national soccer team, Swanson is ready to lead the ladies this year. After missing the entire 2025 season due to her pregnancy, Swanson is eager to get back on the pitch to let her talents shine. Aside from her great play, Swanson relies heavily on her faith in God.
“My faith in Him has grown immensely,” she told Sports Spectrum in 2022. “Me getting injured and me missing the Olympics, and me kind of finding myself on the field again, it really started because I found myself in Christ even more.”
Whether on the field or off, these five athletes keep Christ at the center of their lives.
Read Next: 5 Faith-Filled Athletes To Keep An Eye On In The Upcoming Super Bowl
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