In a significant move, more than 60 current and former NFL players have united to urge US leaders to address the escalating religious persecution in Nigeria.The players, coordinated by Sports Spectrum, submitted a letter to President Trump and key Congressional leaders on December 19, 2025, calling for immediate action to curb the violence against religious groups, particularly Christians, in the West African nation.
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religionnews.comprnewswire.comThe letter, signed by prominent athletes including quarterbacks CJ Stroud, Brock Purdy, and TreVeyon Henderson, as well as Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, expresses deep concern over the ongoing violence and persecution faced by religious communities in Nigeria."As current and former NFL players who care deeply about justice - here in America and around the world - we are grieved and outraged by the mounting violence," the letter states, urging leaders to act swiftly to confront this crisis.
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religionnews.comchurchleaders.comThe players highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding religious violence in Nigeria, where an average of 32 to 35 Christians were killed each day during the first seven months of 2025.Since 2009, an estimated 52,000 Christians have lost their lives due to religiously motivated violence, making Nigeria one of the most dangerous places for Christians globally, ranking seventh on the Open Doors World Watch List for extreme persecution.
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prnewswire.comchurchleaders.comThe letter emphasizes the ineffectiveness of the Nigerian Army and security services in addressing the violence perpetrated by groups such as the Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM), which has been responsible for mass atrocities and the displacement of entire communities.The players called for a new approach that includes dismantling the FEM, expanding US humanitarian assistance, and appointing an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom to lead US strategies in Nigeria.
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prnewswire.comchurchleaders.comBenjamin Watson, a former NFL player and editor-in-chief of Sports Spectrum, played a pivotal role in organizing the letter.He noted that the recent kidnapping of over 200 children from a Catholic boarding school in Nigeria was a catalyst for this initiative.Watson stated, "We want to show that we're amongst the people who care and want to stand up with our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Nigeria".
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religionnews.comprnewswire.comThe players' letter is a historic first for Sports Spectrum, which has previously focused on sports and faith but has never before issued a letter to US political leaders.The group aims to raise awareness not only among politicians but also among fans, emphasizing that the violence in Nigeria should concern everyone."This was a moment where we had an opportunity to speak about justice and about kindness and about caring for our neighbors," Watson remarked.
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religionnews.comprnewswire.comSteve Stenstrom, president of Sports Spectrum, echoed the sentiment, stating that the issue transcends political divides."This isn't a left or right issue; it's a life-or-death issue for people on the ground," he said.The players expressed a moral responsibility to speak out, urging US leaders to use their influence to defend the fundamental right to live and worship freely in Nigeria.
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prnewswire.comchurchleaders.comThe letter concludes with a powerful plea: "We ask you, as leaders of this nation, to use the full weight of your offices to defend the fundamental right to live and worship freely and to send a clear message that the United States will not stand by while Nigerians are targeted, terrorized, and killed because of their faith.The lives at stake cannot wait".
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religionnews.comprnewswire.comAs the situation in Nigeria continues to deteriorate, the call to action from these NFL players highlights the urgent need for international attention and intervention to protect vulnerable religious communities facing persecution and violence.
