The Super Bowl-winning coach of the Baltimore Ravens says he’s drawn to Christianity because of the peace and joy it brings and the historical evidence of Christ’s resurrection. John Harbaugh, who’s entering his 16th season as the Ravens’ head coach, told the Sports Spectrum Podcast that his passion for history led him to study the historical foundation of Christianity.
Harbaugh said of the validity of Christianity, “It basically comes down to the resurrection. If the resurrection didn’t take place, then Christianity, there’s no point to it.” Harbaugh, though, said he believes the evidence of Christ’s resurrection is strong. He said he’s been listening to a sermon by Alistair Begg on the subject.
He said, “It’s just fascinating to me,” noting that the apostles and their associates were willing to die for their faith. Harbaugh added, “Nobody at any point in time recanted when it happened, even to martyring themselves and being executed in the most gruesome ways. They all held firm to saying that this Man was crucified and rose from the dead, and they saw it. That is strong evidence to me. I don’t think you can ignore that. You’ve got to look into it. You’ve got to study it.”
Harbaugh led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title in 2013 and was voted the NFL Coach of the Year in 2019. He said that championships aren’t the ultimate definition of success. He said, “Before the beginning of time, He had a plan for us, and He created us in a way [that] He knows us intimately. He knows what our true desires are and what our purpose is. So trying to find that purpose or connection with God and being connected and filled with the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, is success. That is the ultimate success.”
The Baltimore coach said he has read through the Bible “numerous times.” Each morning, he said, he tries to read a devotional, read the Bible and pray. Typically, it lasts half an hour, he said.
“I trust Providence; I trust God’s will, His plan,” he said. “And as much as anything, I try to put it in His hands because when you look back, you can see where He has brought you. When you look back, there’s a certainty in the road that you’ve traveled, and as I get older now, I can really see that more clearly.”