Deion Sanders had just finished giving his Colorado players an earful after a 31-point victory when he sat down in front of reporters, tapped the table and said, “Gotta calm myself down.” He then turned to prayer, offering a public glimpse of the faith that he says has carried him through football, serious health problems and some of the most difficult moments of his life.
As Metro Voice has previouslly reported, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes follows a different routine before the pressure begins. He walks to the goalpost before every game and prays, thanking God for another opportunity to play. For two of football’s biggest names, faith is not separate from the game. It is how they prepare for it, recover from it and keep it in perspective.
Sanders drew widespread attention after Colorado’s 52-21 victory over Weber State on Sept. 12. Before taking questions, the Pro Football Hall of Famer spoke for about 10 seconds in what Christian observes said appeared to be tongues.
Although the moment initially generated questions, Sanders later confirmed that he had been praying. He said he remained upset after sharply criticizing his team’s performance despite the lopsided win.
“I had just come from addressing the team, and I lit them up, so I had to calm down,” Sanders said. “And the only way I know how to calm down is to pray in the spirit. So, you know, it’s not a gimmick. There’s not a ‘look at me.’ No. No. That’s real.”
Sanders said the practice was not new or staged for the cameras. He previously prayed in tongues on a 2014 episode of “Running Wild With Bear Grylls” before attempting a difficult climb.
“I began to pray in tongues because it’s a language between me and God that he knows,” Sanders said at the time. “I wanted a direct line, a direct contact, so God could expedite this process and give me the peace I needed.”
His faith also has helped sustain him through blood clots, toe amputations, bladder cancer and numerous surgeries. Before undergoing another procedure in 2025, Sanders expressed the same confidence he later showed at the postgame news conference.
“I’m always confident because I know God’s got me,” he said.
Sanders’ prayer prompted both criticism and support from Christians debating the biblical gift of tongues. Author Melissa Tate argued that private prayer in tongues does not require an interpretation.
“No, it does not require interpretation when you are privately praying to God like Deion Sanders is doing,” she said. “Only when it is spoken aloud as a message from God to the church does it require interpretation.”
Tate cited 1 Corinthians 14:18, in which Paul says, “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,” and verse 39, which says, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.”
Mahomes has been similarly open about the role faith plays in his career. The Chiefs quarterback returned to action this month after recovering from ACL and LCL tears suffered in December.
Mahomes became a Christian in middle school and has described faith as a guiding force throughout his career, as Metro Voice has reported.
“Faith is huge for me,” he said. “Before every game, I walk the field and I do a prayer at the goalpost. I just thank God for those opportunities, and I thank God for letting me be on a stage where I can glorify him.”
Mahomes has said his goal is to honor God regardless of the outcome. His favorite Bible verse, Acts 20:24, emphasizes finishing the work God has given him rather than pursuing personal recognition. He also has credited his father, former Major League Baseball pitcher Pat Mahomes Sr., with teaching him to pray before games.
That faith extends beyond the field. Mahomes established the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation in 2019 to support children through programs focused on health, wellness, education and communities in need.
For Sanders, prayer provided a way to settle himself before facing reporters. For Mahomes, it has remained part of his routine through championships, fatherhood and a difficult injury recovery. Neither man limits his faith to moments when the cameras are rolling.
“My Christian faith plays a role in everything that I do,” Mahomes has said. “I always ask God to lead me in the right direction and let me be who I am for His name.”
–Lee Hartman
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