Top 30 Christian Sports Stories of 2012 By Chad Bonham

#30 Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton ties single-game home run record; sets All-Star voting record; signs with Los Angeles Angels during the offseason

It was quite the eventful year for Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton. On May 8, he became just the 16th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a game and in the process set an American League record for total bases in a game (18). In July, Hamilton shattered an All-Star Game record with 11,073,744 votes (beating Jose Bautista’s previous mark of 7,454,753 votes from the 2011 season).

After Baltimore upset Texas in the wild card playoff game, Hamilton made a surprising move by signing a free agency contract with the Los Angeles Angels—a five-year deal worth $125 million.

During the season, Hamilton spent some time talking to FCA Magazine and he candidly discussed how God has helped him overcome alcoholism.

#29 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., wins second consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series title

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., fought off aggressive challenges from Elliott Sadler and Austin Dillon to capture his second straight championship in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series. Driving the #6 car for Roush-Fenway Racing, Stenhouse Jr., proved that he is ready to move up to the Sprint Cup ranks where he will take over the #17 car full-time in 2013.

“We wouldn’t be doing this if God hadn’t allowed us to do it,” Stenhouse Jr., said in last year’s Inspiring Athletes conversation. “He’s the one that’s ultimately in control of everything. You can’t try to change things when they’re not meant to be changed.”

#28 Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla scores 500th career NHL goal

The NHL season didn’t escape its labor dispute in time to kick off the 2012-13 season as scheduled, but the second half of last season did provide hockey fans with a milestone from one of the game’s reliable ambassadors.

On January 8, in a 3-1 victory against the Minnesota Wild, Iginla scored his 500th career goal. He became the 42nd player to reach that milestone and the 15th player to do so with the same team. By the end of the 2011-12 season, Iginla was ranked 35th overall with 516 career goals.

In an Inspiring Athletes interview, Iginla talked about his unique upbringing and how he hoped to inspired young minority athletes to pursue their dreams.

“I am proud to be a black player in the NHL,” Iginla said. “It would be an honor if I was at all a role model for kids that want to play in the NHL.”

#27 Tom Osborne

Nebraska AD Tom Osborne retires

On September 26, Tom Osborne announced that he would be retiring as Nebraska’s Athletic Director effective January 1, 2013. He has served in that capacity for just over five years. Osborne is credited for stabilizing the school’s Athletic Department and leading the Cornhuskers into the Big 10.

But it would take pages of copy to chronicle Osborne’s accomplishments at Nebraska. A shortened version of that history would reveal his three national championships (1994, 1995 and 1997), his 13 conference championships, his 255-49-3 overall record and his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Osborne has also made a profound difference in the lives of countless players and coaches, not to mention the college football fans in Nebraska and across the country. For Osborne, that has been the most important part of his legendary career.

“When coaches die or retire, usually the first thing people talk about is the win-loss record,” he said. “Somehow that defines you. I hope that isn’t the sole definition of what I did as a coach. Relationships are the most important thing and hopefully I was consistent in my spiritual walk and that players saw that.”

#25 Tamika Catchings

Tamika Catchings captures first career WNBA title

Tamika Catchings will go down in WNBA history as one of the league’s greatest players. In addition to her 2011 MVP Award, she also holds credentials as an Olympic champion and NCAA champion. But the one thing eluding Catchings was her most desired possession—a WNBA championship ring.

Catchings finally filled out her impressive list of accomplishments when the Indiana Fever captured the 2012 WNBA title. She also became the seventh female athlete to win all three major basketball championships. But for Catchings, her success is ultimately about impacting others away from the game.

“Being a WNBA player gives me a great platform to be able to give my testimony and talk about my faith without pushing it on people,” she said.

#24 Drew Brees

Drew Brees breaks NFL touchdown record

Due to the Bountygate scandal that hit during the offseason, it was quite clear that the New Orleans Saints were going to have a tough year. But that didn’t stop quarterback Drew Brees from striving for excellence and adding his name (again) to the NFL record books.

On October 7, Brees broke the record for most consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass. Johnny Unitas held the previous record (47), a record that Brees eventually stretched to 54 games.

Brees told FCA Magazine that being in New Orleans during the city’s post-Katrina rebuilding efforts has strengthened every area of his life.

“I feel like I’m such a tougher person mentally and spiritually,” he said. “Being able to be here and be a part of this community and rebuilding effort and then take my career to the next level—it’s all exposed me to things I never would have experienced otherwise. I’m stronger in my faith, as a husband, as a father and as a football player.”

#23 Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius makes history with appearance at London Olympics

It was one of the most controversial stories going into the 2012 Olympics. South African runner Oscar Pistorius had been disallowed to participate in the 2008 Games but was given the opportunity to compete in London.

Pistorius, a double amputee since the age of 11 months, used his iconic carbon fiber limbs to run in the 400-meter race and the 4×400-meter relay. Pistorius advanced to the semifinals of his individual race before bowing out in eighth place. He also competed in the relay final for his team that placed eighth out of nine teams.

Raised in a Christian home, Pistorius has a tattoo on his back that displays the words from 1 Corinthians 9:26-27:

“I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. I execute each strike with intent. I beat my body and make it my slave…”

#21 Tim Hays

Coach Tim Hays leads Colorado Christian University to unlikely women’s basketball championship

When Tim Hays took over the women’s basketball program at Colorado Christian University prior to the 2008 season, he entered a program with incredible challenges and a history of losing records. In fact, the team had averaged 5.8 wins per season in the five years previous to Hays’ arrival including a dismal 1-26 record during the 2003-04 season.

But after challenging his first group of players to play for God’s glory, the team went on an incredible four-year journey that culminated with the 2012 National Christian College Athletic Association championship.

In that tournament, CCU defeated the top two seeds and overcame a 9-0 deficit in the championship game by responding with a 30-2 run of its own. According to Hays, there was no other explanation for the team’s success but the powerful combination of hard work and God’s providence.

“We relied one hundred percent on God for the results,” Hays says. “He has used this story to give us the opportunity to lead people to Christ. This is God’s deal and it’s all about giving Him the glory.”

#19 Matt Kenseth

Matt Kenseth wins second career Daytona 500

It was a crazy night at the Daytona 500. After rain moved the race to Monday night, the Great American Race featured several high speed wrecks and a bizarre incident that saw Juan Pablo Montoya crash into a jet drier truck during a caution resulting in a massive fire and two-hour delay.

When the race finally concluded over six hours after its start, Matt Kenseth crossed the finish line first to claim his second career Daytona 500 victory (the first coming in 2009).

Last year, Inspiring Athletes posted an interview with Kenseth (and wife Katie) who talked about the importance of ministry at the track:

“Chapel services on race day have a calming effect,” he said. “It’s a nice time for us to worship and try to get the message and hear some music and have a little fellowship together before we get to racing.”

#18 The U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball Team

Kevin Durant, Chris Paul fuel U.S. Men’s Basketball Team’s Olympic gold medal performance

There were few surprises from the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Well, Team USA won two of its games by less than 10 points and apparently that was somewhat of a story. But the bottom line held true for LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and their NBA compatriots. After going undefeated and beating Spain 107-100 in the final game, the American squad, as expected, brought home the gold medal.

And while it was certainly a team effort, Kevin Durant and fellow Christian Chris Paul were key catalysts. Durant solidified his status as an international star with an Olympic record 156 points to lead the way. In a previous Inspiring Athletes interview, the surprisingly low-key athlete talked about how his faith has impacted his approach to playing the game.

“I’ve just got to be thankful to the Lord for what the gifts He’s given me,” Durant said. “My gift back to Him is to always be humble and to always try to work as hard as I can. I’ve got to continue to be that way.”

#17 Jason Witten

Jason Witten sets NFL single-season receptions record for tight ends

Jason Witten has quietly become one of the greatest tight ends to play the game. On December 23, the Dallas Cowboys star added a major NFL record as additional proof of that fact. In a game against New Orleans, Witten set a new single-season mark for most receptions by a tight end (103). He surpassed Tony Gonzalez’s 2004 record of 102 catches and had one regular season game remaining to move the bar even higher.

Witten has also been a quiet, steady leader in the locker room and is known around the league as one of the most spiritually sound players. He was also instrumental in leading teammate Tony Romo to Christ.

“Your legacy as an athlete means a lot, but God has got to have a huge impact on your life,” he told Sports Spectrum earlier this year. “I think about the way He can use me and what a platform we have as athletes. God doesn’t give you this talent just to win titles.”

#16 David Boudia

David Boudia breaks U.S. drought with Olympic platform diving gold

David Boudia shocked the diving community with an Olympic gold medal performance in the 10-meter platform event. His score of 568.65 was good enough for U.S. Diving’s first Olympic gold since Greg Louganis won his second consecutive title at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.

Boudia barely qualified for the semifinals by finishing in 18th place during the preliminary round. He then put together a solid semifinal round leading into an inspired final six dives. His performance was a major upset over Chinese diver Qui Bo who finished with the silver. The exciting final also included a surprising bronze medal for Great Britain’s Tom Daley.

Boudia’s gold medal added to his previous bronze medal performance in the 10-meter synchro platform event with teammate Nick McCrory. Earlier this summer, Boudia talked to Inspiring Athletes about his spiritual transformation and how his faith in Christ had radically changed his outlook on diving and on life.

“In 2008, diving was my god,” he said. “It was a forced competition. I needed to do well there if I wanted to do well later in life. But for this Olympics, I’m enjoying every moment, day by day because tomorrow’s not guaranteed…God is providing this platform so He can reveal Himself.”

#15 R.A. Dickey

R.A. Dickey claims National League Cy Young Award

Despite playing for the National League East’s fourth place team, New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey was a bright spot across the MLB landscape with a Cy Young Award winning performance. Even more amazing was the fact that Dickey won the honor as the only player to utilize the knuckleball as his predominant pitch. Dickey finished the season with a 20-6 record, 2.73 earned run average and 230 strikeouts.

But just prior to the season, it was Dickey’s autobiography Wherever I Wind Up that made the biggest impact. In his book, Dickey, who signed with Toronto during the offseason, discussed the abuse he endured as a child and shared his experience of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for human trafficking in Mumbai.

“I really felt that God gave me a very unique story and it took awhile for me to get the equipment to process it and the vocabulary to communicate it,” Dickey told Beliefnet earlier this year. “When these things started to happen, I felt a compulsion from God that he wanted me to share my story, even though it was very painful.”

#14 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team

Tamika Catchings, Maya Moore spur US Women’s Basketball Team to Olympic gold

With so much attention going to the U.S. men’s basketball team, it was almost a little too easy to overlook the dominance displayed by the American women. Team USA put any doubts to rest with an 86-50 victory over France en route to an unprecedented fifth consecutive gold medal. The gold medal game completed an undefeated 11-0 run for the U.S., which also scored its 41st consecutive Olympic win.

Leading the charge was three-time gold medalist Tamika Catchings along with star players Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Candace Parker. Catchings was part of a strong contingency of Christian players on the team that also included Angel McCoughtry and Maya Moore.

#13 Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning comes back from career-threatening neck injury; leads Denver Broncos to AFC Playoffs

When Peyton Manning failed to play a single game during the 2011 season, many pundits believed his career was probably over. Manning’s neck surgery to alleviate neck pain and arm weakness led to a more serious surgery—a level one cervical fusion procedure.

The Colts released Manning at the end of last season and subsequently signed number-one draft pick Andrew Luck. But when the Denver Broncos signed him in March, speculation about his future intensified.

Not only did Manning prove the naysayers wrong, he ended up having a Pro Bowl season and led the Broncos to the AFC Playoffs. With one regular season game remaining, Manning had tallied 4,355 passing yards and 34 touchdowns (second most in his career). Described as a devout Presbyterian, Manning mentioned earlier this year how a Bible study was helping him deal with the challenging aspects of physical rehabilitation.

“I always felt it was very important to have a good relationship with the Lord,” Manning once said in another interview. “He always has to be your number one priority.”

#12 Webb Simpson

Webb Simpson wins U.S. Open

Webb Simpson charged from the back of the pack to overtake leaders Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell and win his first career PGA major at the 112th U.S. Open in San Francisco, Calif. His two under par performance on a stingy Olympic Club course was good enough for the one-stroke victory. He finished at plus one overall.

Earlier this year, Inspiring Athletes posted an interview with Simpson who talked about the importance of integrity and how his faith in God has allowed him to make tough decisions:

“Our deposit of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, more than anything, has allowed me to make those tough decisions,” Simpson said. “It’s happened probably 10 times in my life where I had to make certain calls and call penalty shots on myself. For me, it’s not as much the nature of the game but the fact that the Holy Spirit is prompting me to call a penalty on myself. Within our own nature, we don’t want to call a penalty on ourselves. We want to see how much we can get away with. That’s been a part of every tough decision I’ve made in golf.”

#11 Lauren Cheney

Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath lead US Women’s Soccer Team to Olympic gold

Tobin Heath and Lauren Cheney were among the women’s soccer players from to capture Olympic gold in consecutive Games. After narrowly defeating Canada in double overtime (4-3), the Americans shot out to a 2-0 lead and staved off a scurried comeback attempt by Japan. It was the third consecutive Olympic gold medal for the USA squad and helped ease the pain of last year’s shootout loss against Japan in last year’s World Cup final.

Prior to the Olympics, Cheney told Inspiring Athletes that despite last year’s loss (and despite what might happen at the Olympics), she would do her best to maintain the right perspective throughout the experience:

“I’ve learned to give God the praise in the highs and the lows.” she said. “Especially at such a high level, your life is a rollercoaster. Our lives are completely full of highs and lows. I’m so grateful that my confidence in Christ is never shaken. My identity in the Lord will never be shaken. My career will come and go but being faithful to that has made my relationship with Him what it is.”

Like Cheney, Heath went into the Olympics striving for the gold medal, but also keeping in mind that the journey is just as important as the destination.

“The Olympics is a very special event because you get to represent your country along with all the other sports,” she said. “One of my favorite things about soccer is how the art and the passion of the game somehow unites people and nations and classes and races. That’s something that comes out of the game and how it’s displayed and why people enjoy watching it and supporting it. Anytime you have an event like the Olympics or the World Cup, people get to enjoy it on such a huge scale.”

#10 Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson breaks NFL single-season receiving record

They call Calvin Johnson “Megatron” because of his ability to consistently produce highlight material worthy of the big screen. But in the season’s next-to-last game, Johnson added a little substance to that style by breaking Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving record.

On December 22, Johnson finished the game against Atlanta with 1,892 receiving yards for the season. In that same game, he set the NFL records for consecutive 100-yard games (8) and consecutive games with 10 or more receptions (4). Johnson also tied Michael Irvin’s record for most 100-yard games in a season (11).

But records have never been the focus for this athlete whose church upbringing has molded him into a steady man of faith.

“As NFL players, we have such a platform to spread the Word of God,” Johnson once told FCA Magazine. “And that is an area I don’t mind speaking out on at all. As far as talking about my football skills, however, I will let my abilities and actions speak for themselves.”

#9 Manti Te’o

Heisman Trophy finalist Manti Te’o inspires Notre Dame teammates to BCS Championship Game

By most accounts, September 11 was a bad day in American history. Not only did the nation remember the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorists attacks, but a terrorist attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi took the lives of four U.S. citizens.

But for Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o, September 11 had it’s own set of troubles. Te’o lost both his girlfriend Lennay Kekua to leukemia and his grandmother. Because of a promise to Lennay, Te’o didn’t miss a single game throughout the grieving process. His dedication and faith inspired the Fighting Irish to a perfect 12-0 season and a spot in the BCS National Championship Game against Alabama (to be played January 7, 2013).

Te’o was one of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy, was named First Team All-American and First-Team Academic All-American and collected eight individual honors including the Lott Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award and the ARA Sportsmanship Award.

Through the intense highs and lows of the season, Te’o always made sure onlookers recognized the source of his strength.

“I think for anybody who’s questioning if God lives, He lives, and I’m an example of that,” he told the Associated Press. “For those who don’t know if He answers your prayers, He does, because He answered mine. If He didn’t answer prayers, I wouldn’t be here…and I wouldn’t have done a lot of things that I’ve done.”

#8 Jack Taylor

Jack Taylor sets NCAA single-game scoring record with 138 points

On November 20, the name Jack Taylor instantly became a household name within the basketball community. Playing for Division III team Grinnell College, Taylor obliterated the NCAA single-game scoring record with 138 points in his team’s 179-104 victory against Faith Baptist Bible. The previous record was 113 points (Bevo Francis of Rio Grande in 1954).

Taylor was 52 for 108 from the field including 27 for 71 from the three-point line. In a prophetic twist, he and a few teammates had studied Matthew 25 in a pregame devotional. In that passage, Jesus shares the parable of the talents and making the most of what has been given to you. Taylor has transferred that principle from the basketball court to his opportunities to talk about his faith.

“The Lord has given me the strength and wisdom to stay humble,” Taylor said. “If I had scored 138 points before God saved me, it would have been a disaster. I would have turned myself into a ‘god’ that people could idolize. Instead, God has made me a new creation who cares more about making Jesus’ name famous rather than my own.”

#7 Missy Franklin

Missy Franklin brings home multiple Olympic swimming medals

Missy Franklin led the U.S. women’s swimming team to a dominating performance at the London Olympics. Franklin’s five medals (tied with teammate Allison Schmitt) and four golds made her the most decorated female athlete at the Games.

The 17-year old phenom from Aurora, Colo., set a new world record in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:04.06 and a new American record in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 58:33. She was also part of the 4×100-meter medley relay that set a world record (3:52:05).

Just prior to the U.S. Olympic Trials, Franklin talked to Inspiring Athletes about the importance of faith in her life:

“Every day over the last three years, my faith has grown,” she said. “One of my favorite times is going to our beautiful school chapel and spending time with God. This year, I attended Kairos with my Regis Jesuit sisters and it changed my life forever. I now really work on keeping my faith strong.”

#6 Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson wins the Masters

Bubba Watson has been on the cusp of golf greatness for the past two or three years. On April 8, He took a huge leap towards solidifying his place amongst the game’s best by securing his first major championship at the 2012 Masters Tournament.

Watson erased a three-shot deficit in the final round forced a sudden death playoff with Louis Oosthuizen. The pair both made par on the first hole (played on the 18th), but Watson secured the famed green jacket with a par putt on the second hole (played on the 10th) after Oosthuizen finished with a bogey.

It was an especially emotional time for Watson and his wife Angie who had adopted their first child, a son named Caleb, just two weeks earlier.

“I feel like I am so blessed,” Watson told Fox News. “We know that the green jacket is a big honor, but at the same time, we can’t take this to Heaven with us.”

#5 Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant wins third consecutive scoring title, leads OKC to NBA Finals

For the last few seasons, names like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have dominated the conversation about the NBA’s greatest players. But after being named MVP at the All-Star Game, winning his third consecutive scoring title and leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Finals, Kevin Durant has firmly planted himself right in the middle of any such discussion.

Durant averaged 28 points per game during the lockout-shortened season and was named to the All-NBA First Team. He also scored a career-high 51 points on February 19 against the Denver Nuggets. Despite his success, Durant remains committed to growing in his relationship with God.

“I’ve got a long way to go to become closer to the Lord but hopefully I can continue to stay on the path,” he told Inspiring Athletes. “I might take a few steps forward and take a couple steps back and take some steps forward, but I want to get better.”

#4 Gabby Douglas

Gabby Douglas collects Olympic gold in gymnastics team, all-around competitions

Headlined by Jordyn Wieber, Team USA was expected to win team gold and the highly touted “Fab Five” didn’t disappoint. But what did surprise many was Wieber’s failure to make it into the all-around competition. Instead, Gabby Douglas made history by becoming the first black athlete to win gymnastics all-around gold.

Douglas arguably made the biggest impact of the five young athletes and was sure to let share her faith publicly in the following moments.

“I give all the glory to God,” she told NBC after her all-around gold medal performance. “It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me.”

#3 Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow leads Denver to incredible playoff victory, languishes after trade to New York

After an incredible string of comeback victories during the 2011 season, Tim Tebow led the Denver Broncos to a first-round playoff victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in spectacular fashion. On January 8 in Denver, Tebow threw for a career high 316 yards including an 80-yard touchdown pass to Demariyius Thomas on the first play of overtime for the 29-23 victory.

Tebow couldn’t muster the same magic against eventual the New England Patriots (and eventual AFC champions) but was named the starting quarterback for 2012 training camp. That all changed on March 21 when the Broncos signed free agent Peyton Manning and traded Tebow to the New York Jets for a pair of draft picks.

The 2012 season turned out to be more tumultuous for Tebow than anything he had experienced in his career. The Jets rarely used him—mostly on short yardage packages and on special teams—and the quarterback situation in New York became a running joke within the media and the NFL fan base.

Despite the disappointing circumstance, Tebow remained true to his Christian values and took many opportunities to serve others through his foundation and was always willing to share his faith publicly.

“The message I always try to get across in speaking to various groups is that I am no different than anyone else in the room, despite what people may think because I am a football player,” Tebow once told me. “When I’ve gone to the Philippines with my dad and hung out with the kids at the orphanage, that’s kept me from letting my whole life get wrapped up in what’s going to happen on fourth down instead of thinking what a blessing it is to have the athletic ability to go out there and play football. That takes a lot of pressure off. It lets me go out there and enjoy playing and have fun.”

#2 Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin breaks out in New York, takes Linsanity to Houston

You know you’re a big deal when a catch phrase bearing your name becomes a part of pop culture vernacular. Like “Tebowing” from a year earlier, the same phenomenon took place in New York when a virtually unknown guard named Jeremy Lin burst onto the scene with the Knicks. In just a matter of days, “Linsanity” was born.

Lin had been working towards his NBA dream for nearly three years. His pro career (at least in the United States) was precariously heading towards the edge of oblivion. But then a happenstance opportunity allowed Lin to get some playing time on February 3 against the Celtics. Lin impressed head coach Mike D’Antoni and earned a start the next night against the Nets. In that game, he 25 points, five rebounds and seven assists. That led to a record-breaking string of seven games with at least 20 points and seven assists. No other player had ever accomplished that feat in his first five starts. New York went 6-0 in his first six starts.

At the end of the season, the Knicks surprisingly didn’t match an offer by the Houston Rockets. Lin left for Houston and a four-year $28.8 million dollar contract. It’s been a whirlwind 12 months for Lin who is doing his best to remain even-keeled and consistent in his faith.

“I’ve always been a low-key person,” Lin told FCA Magazine. “I don’t need to be talked about all the time. Whatever happens, I’m OK with it. I understand this is a platform God has given me. I’m a steward, not an owner. I can’t control how big the platform becomes. I just have to make sure I conduct myself in a way that pleases Him.

#1 Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III unites DC with rookie season heroics

Andrew Luck may have been the top selection of the 2012 NFL Draft, but it’s the number-two guy, Robert Griffin III, that has seemingly captured most of the season’s major headlines.

Griffin started his NFL career with an NFC Offensive Player of the Week performance. He threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-32 win against New Orleans and never looked back. In Washington’s 31-6 victory against Philadelphia, Griffin became the first NFL rookie to pass for 200 yards, four touchdowns and rush for 75 yards in a single game. He also became the youngest player to achieve a perfect passer rating in a game.

Griffin’s success ignited excitement in the nation’s capital. He was hailed by Senator Marco Rubio as the “the best leader in DC.” Washington Post religion editor Sally Quinn lauded Griffin for his inspirational attributes. But ESPN commentator Rob Parker drew ire after referring to him as a “cornball brother.”

In the midst of the high praises and unexpected criticism, Griffin has relied on his parents’ faithful church upbringing and his personal relationship with Christ to help him manage it all.

“[God] gives you the stage to make a difference and not to just talk about yourself, but lift Him up,” Griffin once said. “I praise God, I thank him for everything. Purposefully, you live every day for Him, and when He gives you the opportunity to speak up for Him or to do something in His name, you do it.”