Athletes For America Play To Pray at Institute for Faith and Culture
Aug 24, 2023
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The America First Policy Institute's Athletes for America hosted a remarkable Play to Pray event, combining faith, sports, and service to inspire young athletes to live purposefully. The evening was filled with dynamic speakers, none more legendary than Coach Lou Holtz and Jack Brewer, who emphasized faith's vital role in athletics and life.
The night began with a shoutout to the Westminster Academy Varsity Football Team, who were celebrated for their success and dedication on the field. A fitting start, considering the event's theme: the fusion of sports and spirituality to promote personal growth, leadership, and service to others.
Coach Holtz, known for leading six different teams to bowl games and his illustrious career, delivered a message that resonated deeply with the audience. He shared how his faith has always been the foundation of his success as a coach and person. Holtz emphasized that true success requires more than talent— heart, faith, and dedication to doing the right thing. His motto, "Do the right thing, do everything to the best of your ability, and show that you care," struck a chord with the audience.
He didn't just speak about football; Coach Holtz spoke about America—his deep love for this country and his concern for its future. He urged everyone in attendance to take a stand for their faith and America, stressing that the nation's greatness is founded on Christian principles. His words were a call to action for all attendees, especially the young athletes, to embrace their faith and use their platform to lead by example in a world that desperately needs robust and moral leadership.
Jack Brewer, a former NFL player, Pastor, and chair of the Center for Opportunity Now at the America First Policy Institute, shared his transformation journey. From the NFL to prison ministry, Brewer has made it his mission to serve others and share the gospel. His prison work has been life-changing, not only for the inmates he mentors but also for himself. Brewer passionately called for a return to fatherhood, stressing the epidemic of fatherlessness in America and how it correlates to societal problems such as crime and low academic achievement. His heartfelt plea for men to step up as role models in their homes and communities underscored the evening's theme that faith and leadership begin at home.
Brewer also linked his advocacy for fatherhood to broader societal challenges, pointing out the spiritual battle at play. He shared sobering statistics about the educational failure in America's major cities, pointing to schools where no child is proficient in reading or math. His solution is straightforward: bring back strong fathers, bring back God, and we will see the nation flourish once again.
Another highlight was Duke Tanner, a former professional boxer whose powerful testimony of redemption moved the crowd. After being sentenced to double life in prison for a non-violent offense, Tanner spent 16 years incarcerated before receiving a pardon from President Donald Trump. Despite facing incredible odds, his story of faith and perseverance reminded everyone of the power of second chances. Tanner spoke about the importance of mentorship for men in prison and youth who are growing up without fathers. He has since dedicated his life to helping others find purpose and redemption through faith.
The event also included a moving panel discussion on how athletes can leverage their platforms to serve as role models in sports and life. Frank Murphy, a former NFL player, emphasized that athletes are responsible for being role models both on and off the field. He shared his own story of struggle, having been incarcerated at a young age, and how faith and mentorship turned his life around. Murphy's message to the young athletes in attendance was simple: "You're more than an athlete; you're a role model. Step into that responsibility with faith and purpose."
As the evening drew to a close, the Jack Brewer Foundation Heroes Choir performed, bringing the audience to its feet. These children, mentored through the Foundation, are an example of what can be accomplished when we invest in the next generation. Brewer's work with these children, many of whom come from fatherless homes, reflects the broader mission of Athletes for America—to use sports as a vehicle for change, leadership, and faith.
In a culture that often promotes secularism and self-indulgence, the Play to Pray event was a refreshing reminder that faith is not something to be kept private but a gift to be shared. Whether on the football field, in the boxing ring, or our everyday lives, faith must be the foundation for everything we do. The men who spoke that night—Lou Holtz, Jack Brewer, Frank Murphy, and Duke Tanner—are living examples of what it means to use one's platform for good, to fight the battles that matter most, and to lead by faith.
The America First Policy Institute's Athletes for America initiative is more than just about sports. It's about shaping a generation of leaders who stand up for their faith, families, and country. As Coach Holtz said, "If you want to be happy for a lifetime, put your faith in Jesus Christ—He'll never let you down." The challenge for us all is to take that message to heart and live it out every day in whatever field we find ourselves.