‘CLEANSED AND REBORN IN JESUS NAME!": NFL TEAM USES HOTEL POOL FOR BAPTISM PRIOR TO BIG GAME

By Billy Hallowell

Marcus Johnson/Twitter

The Philadelphia Eagles could possibly be the most spiritually active NFL team around.

And in the latest public showing of biblical allegiance, a photo posted to Twitter shows wide receiver Marcus Johnson being baptized in a hotel pool while surrounded by his teammates.

“First time being Baptized! Corporate Worship is a beautiful thing!!” Johnson wrote in a tweet that accompanies the photo. “Cleansed & Reborn in JESUS name!”

CBS News reported that quarterback Carson Wentz, backup quarterback Nick Foles, tight end Zach Ertz, tight end Trey Burton, offensive guard Stefen Wisniewski and linebacker Jordan Hicks appeared to be standing around the pool praying.

The intense devotion to the Christian faith among some Eagles players is hardly a secret.

ESPN published an article last December revealing how players “find common ground through spiritual devotion,” saying they routinely engaging in Bible studies, baptisms and other faith-affirming activities.

It’s a fascinating situation in which a large number of team members vocally place their Christian faith above anything else.

Perhaps most remarkable detail to emerge is the fact that Burton — whom ESPN called the “team pastor” — baptized five of his fellow players in the team’s recovery pool back last October, all while 15 members of the team stood and prayed around them.

Those who were baptized were: linebackers Kamu Grugier-Hill, Mychal Kendricks and Jordan Hicks and wide receivers Paul Turner and David Watford, according to the outlet. Read more about that here.

As Faithwire previously reported, Wentz opened up recently about how his understanding of faith has evolved over the years and why his relationship with Jesus is his number one priority.

“At the end of the day, just kind of how I live and what I’m about and hopefully can kind of speak through,” he said. “I never want to be the guy who’s beating people over the head with the Bible. That’s not what I’m about. That’s not really what Christianity is about.

Wentz continued, “Christianity is all about love and showing that love and that kindness and that grace.”