Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson found himself in the middle of a social media firestorm after questioning why professional athletes often credit God when they win—but don’t seem to blame Him when they lose.
“Curious that talented athletes frequently credit God when they win, but we rarely see them blame God when they lose,” Tyson mused on X (formerly Twitter).
As expected, the internet had thoughts.
For many athletes, faith is woven into their careers just as much as practice and training. NFL stars like C.J. Stroud, Jayden Daniels, Harrison Butker, Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts routinely credit their success to their belief in God, making Tyson’s remark seem out of touch with how deeply faith drives many players—win or lose.
Case in point: Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron, who recently spoke about his unwavering trust in his faith, was quickly cited as a counterpoint to Tyson’s post.
Super Bowl Sunday: A Sermon in Cleats
Faith was front and center during the NFL’s biggest game, with multiple players and coaches openly giving glory to God following their victory.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told FOX’s Tom Rinaldi, "God’s blessed us very much. He gave us all the talents to be able to get here, so first and foremost, thanks to Him. Thank God, thank you Jesus."
Cornerback Darius Slay echoed that sentiment, thanking his “Lord and Savior” while speaking with the NFL Network.
Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, in his interview with Erin Andrews, summed up his perspective: "God is good. He's greater than all the highs and the lows."Tyson’s comments also ignored how faith extends beyond just game-day wins—many athletes emphasize their relationship with God even in personal struggles.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, when asked about his goals for 2025, didn’t mention stats, championships, or contracts. Instead, he talked about reaffirming his faith:
“Lock it back in with the Lord. Kinda in the lukewarm season – one foot in, one foot out. The Lord has helped me get outta that,” Stroud admitted. “So, my 2025 goal is to be locked in with the Lord as much as possible—fasting, praying, and being part of a church here in Houston.”
Tyson’s post may have been meant as a lighthearted observation, but it completely missed the mark on how faith plays a role win or lose. For many athletes, belief isn’t just a victory ritual—it’s the foundation of how they face challenges, setbacks, and successes alike.
