After the Green Bay Packers’ 27-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks Sunday night, Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers pointedly teased Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson about past religious comments by saying that God wanted the Packers to win.
“And then getting help from God,” Wilson observed, “I think God was a Packers fan tonight, so he was taking care of us.”
Either Rodgers experienced an epiphany on the question of whether God takes a rooting interest in the gridiron, or he simply jabbed at Wilson. Last January, after the Seahawks defeated the Packers in the NFC Championship Game, Wilson and the Seahawks bowed in a prayer circle on the field. Wilson told sideline reporter Erin Andrews, “I just believe that God prepared me for these situations. God’s prepared our team too as well. Like I said, I’m honored to be on this team. I’m going to the Super Bowl again.” Wilson also tweeted, “Headed back to the Super Bowl!!!! QBs in the House! Glory to God!One Mission. #MakeThemNotice.”
Two days after the loss to Seattle, Rodgers was asked on his radio show if the results of football games had an impact on his faith. He responded, “I don’t think God cares a whole lot about the outcome. He cares about the people involved, but I don’t think he’s a big football fan.”
Wilson doubled down before the Super Bowl, stating, “I think God cares about football. I think God cares about everything he created.” He said long after throwing an interception on the goal line to lose the game to the New England Patriots that God used him as an instrument for His own ends in that situation as well.
Rodgers, a Christian like Wilson, enjoyed a miraculous fourth quarter by going 9 for 9 for 91 yards to bring the Packers back from a 17-16 deficit and send the Seahawks to 0-2.