Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans followed a growing trend in the NFL and specifically his own team after giving all the glory to God in a post-game interview. Fresh off a victory against AFC rival San Diego Chargers, Ryans exuberant declared the best thing about his team what his guys’ “belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
For context, The Christian Tribune has reported extensively on a rapidly-growing number of disciples of Christ found within the woke NFL. Among them is young quarterback C.J. Stroud, who since his rookie year has always thanked God in interviews for his gifts and even said it was his team’s shared faith that united them so closely. Stroud has also credited Ryans with creating such a God-focused locker room.
“Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans gives glory to God following their win against the Chargers,” wrote one headline on the social media platform X alongside the viral clip of the player-turned-coach professing faith among the team. “‘The light is shining bright on the Texans but that light is really reflective of our guys [sic] belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That’s what’s driven our team’. Jesus is Lord.”
Asked about the game, Ryans immediately segued to his Christian faith. “First to start, as always, know the light is shining bright on the Texans, but that light is really reflective of our guys belief in the Lord and Savior, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, like that. That’s what’s driven our team,” he began.
He continued discussing the pride he shared for his players before discussing any element of the game itself. “And I’m so proud of our guys and thankful to the Lord for allowing us to allow our lights to shine through him, and just all praise and honor goes to him, just really proud of every person on this team and organization for putting us in a spot to go play in the playoffs.”
“It’s what you play for. It’s what you work hard for throughout training camp, what you fight in the season for us, for an opportunity to be in the playoffs and go win at all. So we’ve earned that. It wasn’t given to us. Our guys went out and earned it, and we’re extremely proud of everybody for that,” he finished.
Watch DeMeco Ryans expound on his and his team’s faith below:
As mentioned, quarterback C.J. Stroud is another vocal Christian voice in the Texans lockeroom. During one particular press conference during his rookie season in 2023, Stroud called the season and how it went a “blessing” and added that he thanks God for how things are going with his teammates, with whom he said he is very close. He said, “It’s been a blessing. It’s been a heck of a year. I thank God I can just go another week with my teammates. This is like a dream come true as a reminder of how close we are as a team.”
Stroud referenced coach Ryans as being a great mentor for him, both as a quarterback and as a Christian. “I’m super blessed to be considered with a great name like DeMeco Ryans. He was my favorite quarterback growing up. I’m super blessed and hopefully I can make it too,” he said.
Stroud explained that what really connected them, hoever, was their shared Christian faith. Speaking on it and its importance to them, he said, “I think definitely God is at the forefront of our minds, and we play for an audience of One. Even when everything is going crazy, you can lock hands and have patience. I’m blessed enough to have a leader like DeMeco who is open with his faith.”
Featured image: Screen shot from embedded video