Baylor football team Bible study yields baptisms
Ten athletes on the Baylor Bears football team publicly expressed their faith commitments to Christ by being baptized in the university athletic facility’s hydrotherapy pool in early November.
Some recently accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Others made a past faith commitment to Christ but never had been baptized. Some had been baptized at an early age but wanted to be baptized as believers as a reaffirmation of their faith.
All of the newly baptized believers participate in a Tuesday evening player-led Bible study in the Baylor University football team meeting room.
“We meet at 6:30, share a meal together and then dive into the word [of God], splitting up into small groups,” said safety Michael Allen, one of the small-group leaders who baptized three of his teammates.
Sawyer Robertson, starting quarterback for the Baylor Bears and a small-group Bible study leader, baptizes a teammate. (Baylor Athletics Photo)
Other small-group Bible study leaders are starting quarterback Sawyer Robertson, wide receiver Josh Cameron, outside linebacker Kyler Jordan, safety Jacob Redding, defensive lineman Dylan Shaub, tight end Matthew Klopfenstein and quarterback Walker White.
In addition to the Tuesday evening meetings, some players—particularly new believers—also get together for regular one-to-one discipleship times with their small group leaders and participate in an online group chat, Allen added.
“I’m getting the chance to walk through Proverbs with two of the guys right now,” he said.
At least one-third of players involved in Bible study
Allen and former teammate Garrison Grimes, who later transferred to Brigham Young University, started the Bible study in spring 2024 with about a half-dozen other players.
The group now numbers 35 to 40 on a typical Tuesday evening—at least one-third of the players on the Baylor football team roster.
Landrie Walsh, director of football operations at Baylor, helps secure food for the weekly gatherings, Allen noted.
“One of the biggest ways to incentivize 300-pound linemen is to have food at the Bible study,” he quipped.
The small groups recently completed a character study of Joseph from the book of Genesis, focusing on themes of forgiveness, patience, perspective and leaving a legacy of faith.
While the Bible study is not sponsored by a specific congregation, several players worship together regularly at Harris Creek Baptist Church, and the congregation provided some curriculum initially, Allen noted.
Baptisms mark significant step
“We have baptisms offered at the end of every study every semester,” he said.
Ten athletes on the Baylor Bears football team publicly expressed their faith commitments to Christ by being baptized in the university athletic facility’s hydrotherapy pool in early November. (Baylor Athletics Photo)
Kevin Washington, associate athletics director for mission impact and enrichment at Baylor, presents a devotional about baptism the week before each scheduled baptism, explaining its significance, Allen said.
The 10 most-recent baptisms account for about half of all those performed since the Bible study launched.
Allen maintains contact with some of the players involved in the Bible study who have graduated and moved on to their careers. He specifically noted Treven Ma’ae, now a defensive tackle with the Las Vegas Raiders.
“He got baptized here, and it was kind of his first introduction to Christianity,” Allen said. “I text him every once in a while, just to see how he’s doing. It’s cool to have relationships that are way beyond football. Those are the things that are going to last.”
Bible study creates need connections
The ongoing weekly Bible studies have affected the culture of the Baylor Bears football team positively, Allen said.
“I can’t say enough about the small-group discussions,” he said, particularly for players who live in a culture “where everything is judged by how you perform on a football field.”
The Bible study offers players the opportunity “to dive into our faith and understand that whatever happened that past Saturday does not define us as individuals,” Allen said.
Without minimizing the importance of doing their best in competition, players gain perspective and learn football “isn’t the end-all and be-all,” he said.
“We understand that football is going to end at some point, and very soon for a lot of us. So, it’s who are we going to be—as Christ followers, as men, as husbands and fathers. An opportunity to talk about those things in a group that you’re really, really close with fosters a ton of connection among the team.”
Allen particularly noted a deeper personal and spiritual connection between Robertson and a member of his small group—tight end Michael Trigg.
“I’ve seen their relationship flourish and connect on a deeper level,” he said. “They dive into the word [of God] together every Tuesday evening, and then then go out there [on the gridiron] and have a connection on Saturday.”
Honest and vulnerable discussions
The honesty expressed in the small-group discussions has built trust and developed deeper bonds between teammates, he said.
“We’ve had a lot of guys open up in those small groups. It’s a pretty vulnerable space,” Allen said.
Players come from varied backgrounds, and many did not grow up in strong Christian homes, he noted. They freely discuss their upbringing, as well as “sin struggles” common to young men, he added.
“We’ve all had different walks to faith,” Allen said. “For some guys, this may be the first time they’ve heard a real explanation of the gospel.”
Players also “talk a lot about who we want to be—as men and as leaders,” he added.
Helped clarify calling
Allen, who completed his undergraduate degree in finance and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree, said taking a leadership role in the team Bible study has helped him find direction beyond school.
Michael Allen, who was instrumental in launching a Tuesday evening Bible study among players on the Baylor Bears football team, baptizes a teammate. (Baylor Athletics Photo)
“I’m probably not going to use my major, to be completely honest. I’m thinking about going into coaching,” he said. “I see an incredible opportunity for building relationships.
“This is a great ministry opportunity, having the ability to mold people, to see the best in somebody and challenge them to be the best they can be.”
In a sense, that’s what the player-led Bible study does—meeting student-athletes where they are in their faith journey and helping them grow spiritually, Allen said.
“Honestly, through this Bible study, I feel like it has helped clarify my calling to coach,” he said. “That’s what coaching is. It’s servant leadership.”
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