NEW ORLEANS — When given the opportunity to open up about their faith this week during Super Bowl festivities, players and coaches from both teams in this year's game — the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles — have shared their thoughts.
That has included Chiefs coach Andy Reid and both teams' starting quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts .
Reid, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who on Monday during Super Bowl Opening Night quipped that his favorite book trilogy is the Bible, the Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price, is well-known for being open about his faith.
The 66-year-old Reid, who would become the first coach in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls with a victory Sunday, attended BYU and was a player and graduate assistant there before his coaching career led him to the NFL.
He continuously talks about his roots, and how his life is rooted in faith.
"I went to BYU. That's a big part of my background of faith. I know there's a Heavenly Father, I believe in that, so I go forward with that and I know I've got that support," he told reporters Monday inside Caesars Superdome.
That support from God is undivided, Reid added.
"So does the other team. That's how that works. He doesn't pick sides," the Chiefs coach said.
Last year following a second straight Super Bowl victory, Reid went on the Church-owned "All In" podcast and shared how his faith has gotten him and his wife, Tammy, through difficult times.
"What a great example (Christ) was for us, all the trials and tribulations that he went through, (and) Joseph Smith, the trials and tribulations that he went through. These are great examples for us," he said, as the Deseret News previously reported .
"Then we just hang onto that iron rod because that son of a gun can be difficult at times but you hang on and you work your way through these things and bank on your faith and then bank on your relationship with your spouse."
Mahomes, the three-time Super Bowl MVP, mentioned both God and his family when asked what he plays for.
"I give all the glory to God. He's given me this platform to showcase my skills and play a game that I love, and so that's always the top of the list," Mahomes said.
"And then just family and then just the love of the game. My family does so much for me. They put me in position to succeed. My wife does so much to go out there and enjoy this game, so always play to hopefully give them the memories that I had growing up who love the game."
As for the sports side of it, Mahomes shared how his love of football also drives him to try and be an example for others.
"I've always loved sports and what they do for not only you having fun, but for the world, and how you can showcase bringing people together and have for one common goal, and those are kind of the things that I go out there and play for," he said.
Having Jesus Christ as an example in his life, Mahomes said, helps dictate his life.
"Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He's someone that I look up to every day to decide what I want to do with my life and how I want to live my life. Jesus is everything to me," Mahomes said.
"I always lean on Acts 20:7-12, about a boy named Eutychus and his faith — listening to a sermon, falling and dying, and coming back to life.
"It just spoke to me at that moment of how I need to live my life and how I need to be fully invested in God."
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) pose with the trophy during Super Bowl 59 Opening Night, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in New Orleans, ahead of the NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday. | Brynn Anderson
Hurts, who is making his second appearance in the Super Bowl after falling to Mahomes and the Chiefs two years ago, emphasized that his faith has been at the core of his life.
"I think my faith has always been a part of me, where I've always wanted to root myself in that and keep him in the center of my life and everything I do," he told reporters Tuesday. "Through the highs and the lows, he's greater than all of them, and that's something that I can always acknowledge."
Hurts' favorite scripture — one that he shared this year as well as two years ago — reflects on having trust in God.
"Faith is the center of everything that you do, just being grounded and rooted in that. John 13:7 has always been my favorite scripture. Jesus said you may not know now, but later you'll understand. That's always been one of my favorites," Hurts said.
Two years ago, Hurts also talked about the importance of relying on God, and letting the work take care of itself.
"Along with that faith, there's been a lot of work," he said at the time, per Sports Spectrum . "I think it's been hand in hand. ... I truly try to focus on the things I can control, not the things that I can't."
"Control the things you can, put the work in, never lose faith in what you believe in. It usually works out."
