NFL vs. Your Soul

Five children were rescued from sex trafficking during Super Bowl week in Glendale, Arizona in 2023. Right here in our state.

This Sunday, 128 million Americans will watch the National Football League's (NFL) Super Bowl. As your pastor, I must address not only the environment these events create, but what the NFL itself actively promotes. I must tell you plainly, from God's Holy Spirit to my heart:

The NFL actively promotes sexual immorality and gambling addiction, and profits from violence inherent to the sport—all contrary to biblical holiness. When you watch its games, purchase its merchandise, or attend its events, you are participating in and financially supporting these activities. This is sin for the child of God. The solution? You must repent and separate yourself from the NFL.

I am not against the game of football. I am against the organized and commercialized sport and the immorality surrounding it. My concern is not with individual players or teams, but with the league's policies, partnerships, and the culture it actively promotes.

Understanding the NFL and its Super Bowl

The National Football League (NFL) is the main professional football organization in the United States. It has 32 teams from different cities that compete against each other. The teams who won the most games then advance to elimination rounds to compete for the championship title.

The Super Bowl is the NFL's final championship game where the two best teams from the elimination rounds play against each other. It happens on a Sunday in early February and has become the biggest television event in America—it's turned into a major cultural event with parties, famous mid-game break musical performances (half-time) and expensive commercials, so even people who don't follow football often watch it.

The NFL's 32 teams are owned by wealthy investors and ownership groups who, as a condition of membership, must agree to the league's governing policies, revenue-sharing arrangements, and partnership agreements. When the NFL enters into gambling partnerships or donates to organizations promoting sexual immorality, each team owner shares in both the profits and the moral responsibility for these decisions. By purchasing team merchandise or attending games, you are financially supporting not only the league but also owners who have bound themselves to these league policies.

Why This Warning, Why Now

The NFL is not the only worldly influence that deserves examination — but with Super Bowl Sunday upon us, it is the one before us now.

Super Bowl LX (60) is to be played on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. An estimated 128 million Americans are projected to watch—nearly half of all U.S. adults. Millions of them sit in church pews.

Some may assume I don't understand sports appeal. Let me be clear: I played baseball and basketball in school and attended professional games in my youth. My position comes from understanding the addiction and sin surrounding sports, not from ignorance. This lived experience informs my decisions as a man of God. I know what draws people in, and I know why it's dangerous to your soul.

The Old Paths

I'm not inventing a new standard here—I'm holding to what the holiness movement ministry has consistently taught for over 200 years.

Listen to what past holiness ministers have said: although we may differ with some of these voices on certain doctrines, a bond exists among the holiness movement in our shared conviction that God's people are called to separation from the world:

• The Methodist Episcopal Church Discipline required members "to refrain from such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus."

• John Wesley preached an entire sermon called "On Public Diversions" where he declared these diversions had "a considerable share in turning the Christian world upside down." His brother Charles Wesley testified that

  "harmless diversions kept me dead to God, asleep in the arms of Satan, and secure in a state of damnation for eighteen years"

  —and three other ministers present agreed, one saying 25 years, another 35, another 70.

• Charles Finney wrote: "A spiritual mind cannot seek enjoyment in worldly society... worldly sports and amusements."

• Daniel S. Warner forbade "worldly pleasures" including theatre and similar public entertainments, emphasizing "non-conformity to the world."

This isn't me being strict—this is what the ministry taught from Wesley forward through the founding of our movement. I'm not stricter than the holiness movement: I'm standing where the ministry has always stood. The Apostolic Faith still states today: "The Christian does not support by participation or association organised sports, dances, and theatres, because first of all the atmosphere and spirit of such things are directly opposed to the Spirit of Christ.

My Responsibility as the Watchman

You must understand why I must speak so plainly about this topic. God says, "I have made you a watchman over my people: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, You shall surely die; and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand."

As we approach Super Bowl weekend 2026, God has placed upon me the solemn duty of a watchman, and I must sound a clear warning. The word from God is for me to tell you that if you participate or take part in the entertainment of the organized American football culture, you are sinning before God and must repent.

But my responsibility extends beyond teaching holiness — I must also protect those who cannot protect themselves. God is clear about how seriously He takes the protection of women and children: "Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

The environment surrounding NFL events—and the content the NFL promotes—is associated with documented harm to women, children, and families:

• The NFL enriches and celebrates players with documented histories of violence against women

• Major sporting events create environments where law enforcement documents increased trafficking activity

• The NFL features sexually explicit entertainment and immodest cheerleading routines

• The culture surrounding NFL games normalizes violence as entertainment

• The NFL promotes sexual immorality through its documented entertainment choices and advocacy partnerships

• The NFL aggressively markets gambling, which can lead to addiction that destroys families

When I warn you away from the NFL, I am not only calling you to personal holiness—I am asking you to protect your wives, your daughters, your sons. I am asking you not to participate in an environment where these harms occur and not to financially support an organization that promotes content contrary to biblical values.

You may have never considered these things before, or perhaps you did and dismissed them. But once a warning is sounded from God's Word, you must decide how you will respond.

What the NFL is Actually Doing

What we're dealing with here is active, ongoing promotion of the very sins that brought fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah—Gomorrian activities.

The Entertainment Lineup Celebrates Sexual Immorality

In examining the last twenty years of Super Bowl halftime shows, the NFL has consistently used this platform to celebrate lifestyles that Scripture explicitly condemns. Many of the Super Bowl halftime performers from 2007 to 2026 are either openly part of communities promoting sexual immorality or have established themselves as vocal advocates for these causes. The 2026 Super Bowl entertainment lineup makes this more blatant than ever before, and biblical language describes these performers' conduct as follows:

Based on publicly available information, the 2026 lineup features performers who have publicly rejected holiness standards of sexuality and gender—including cross-dressing, which Scripture condemns—and who promote what God calls an abomination. The scheduled entertainment appears to include those given over to vile affections, having changed the natural use into that which is against nature, and those who dishonor their own bodies, working that which is unseemly.

Financial Support for Organizations Promoting Sexual Immorality

But the NFL's support goes far beyond who they put on stage. According to publicly available information, since 2021, the league has reportedly donated at least $400,000 to a national organization focused on supporting those who reject biblical sexuality, including a reported $100,000 donation in October 2024 on National Coming Out Day. This wasn't a one-time gesture—it's part of a long-standing, multi-year partnership that reportedly includes educational sessions for NFL staff and volunteer opportunities.

During Super Bowl weeks, the NFL has established a pattern of partnering with local advocacy centers to host events like youth flag football clinics that promote these lifestyles to children. The league reportedly uses its massive procurement program to prioritize businesses owned by those promoting sexual immorality for major events like the Super Bowl. The NFL maintains its role as a founding sponsor of a national monument visitor center dedicated to celebrating what God calls abomination, and the league regularly collaborates with national advocacy groups to foster what they call a more "inclusive" sports culture.

The Biblical Principle: Approving Sin is Itself Sin

Many Christians miss this truth: The Bible teaches that approving of and taking pleasure in those who practice sin is itself sinful—not just doing the sin yourself.

There is a spirit behind organized sports. We are commanded to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, and there is a blessing for the man who does not take the same stand as sinners, for taking the same stand makes you a partaker of their evil deeds. It's not enough to avoid sin personally—we must also not celebrate, approve of, or take pleasure in watching others practice sin. Supporting and celebrating those who openly promote what God calls abomination makes us partakers of their deeds.

Scripture leaves no room for compromise on these matters: "Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind...shall inherit the kingdom of God." God's Word commands us: "Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."

This isn't just about amazingly talented performers. This is about an organization actively promoting, funding, and celebrating what God calls abomination. When you buy a ticket, when you watch the broadcast, when you purchase NFL merchandise, you are financially supporting an organization that uses your money to advance causes that stand in direct opposition to the Word of God.

Why "Faith-Based" Alternative Programming Misses the Point

In response to concerns about the halftime show, some organizations have launched "faith-based" or "patriotic" alternative programming designed to air during halftime. I understand the desire to avoid the worst of the Super Bowl's immorality, but this approach misses the point. Watching the game while switching channels during halftime still means you're supporting the NFL financially and culturally. You're still watching the advertisements that promote gambling and sexual immorality. You're still participating in a system that uses your viewership to justify massive payments to an organization that actively opposes biblical values.

The Bible doesn't tell us to find clever ways to partially participate in worldliness. It commands us to "come out from among them, and be you separate." It tells us to "abstain from all appearance of evil." Watching three and a half quarters of the Super Bowl while avoiding thirty minutes of halftime entertainment is still participation. It still supports the NFL. It still demonstrates to your children that you value this worldly entertainment enough to invest four hours of your Sunday in it.

For many, The NFL Has Become a Secular Religion

The spiritual problem with the NFL extends beyond its promotion of sexual immorality. For many, the league has effectively created a secular religion that rivals true worship of God, transforming Sunday into a holy day of football.

Kickoff times directly conflict with worship services—West Coast games start at 10 AM during morning services—and pastors report measurable negative impacts on church attendance during playoff season and the Super Bowl. God's Word commands: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching." Jesus Himself said, "But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." When you choose the NFL you violate these direct commands and teach your children that entertainment matters more than obedience to God.

The NFL Promotes Gambling and Violence

The Gambling Partnerships

The NFL's partnership with the gambling industry has reached levels that should alarm every Bible-believing Christian. As of 2026, sports betting is deeply integrated into every aspect of NFL broadcasts and stadium experiences. The NFL maintains lucrative partnerships with gambling companies and generates significant revenue from the industry. According to industry reports, for the 2025-2026 season, legal wagering on NFL games is projected to reach a record $30 billion.

Based on publicly available information, the league has designated multiple gambling operators as its 'Official Sports Betting Partners.' These agreements are reportedly worth nearly $1 billion combined. These partnerships grant gambling companies the right to use NFL logos, team names, and player likenesses in gambling advertising, to integrate betting odds directly into NFL broadcasts and the NFL App, and to access real-time game data for live betting. According to industry reports, gambling firms spent approximately $666 million on television advertising for sports betting in 2024, much of which airs during NFL broadcasts and other major sporting events, which in turn increases the value of the league's multi-billion dollar media rights deals.

The league, it appears, has expressed concern for gambling addiction while reportedly donating less than 1% when compared to the total value of their gambling partnerships. They market gambling to millions of fans, including children, while offering limited resources to address the destruction it causes.

Scripture warns, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Proverbs adds, "He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come upon him."

The Violent Nature of Football

Beyond gambling, we must address the violent nature of the sport itself. Football is built on brutality. Players suffer devastating injuries—all for entertainment. The question every child of God must ask is this: Is it consistent with the biblical call to love your neighbor when you pay money to watch men destroy their bodies and brains for your amusement?

“The Lord tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates." God hates those who love violence. When you pay to watch violence, when you cheer for bigger hits and harder tackles, you are demonstrating that you love violence.

And the violence does not stay on the field.

Saints, when you watch NFL games, you are teaching your sons that a man's talent can excuse violence against women. You are teaching your daughters that their self-worth, and maybe their safety, matters less than entertainment. You are financially rewarding men who have brutalized women, and you are doing it in the name of family entertainment.

The League Chooses to Keep Convicted Players

The NFL has full authority to permanently ban players who commit crimes against women, children, or animals. They apparently choose not to. Players convicted of or credibly accused of domestic violence, animal cruelty, and other offenses routinely return to the field, sometimes after plea deals, receive multi-million dollar contracts, and are celebrated as heroes by millions of young fans. The NFL could reject these men. Instead, they embrace them — because talent and profit seemingly matter more than character. When your children watch these games, they learn that a man can brutalize a woman or abuse an animal and still be celebrated, as long as he can play.

The Advertisements Promote Worldliness

The NFL maintains strict control over what advertisements air during the Super Bowl, maintaining a list of prohibited categories that cannot advertise. Yet while they ban certain content, they actively approve and profit from advertisements promoting gambling, alcohol, sexual immorality, and profane content. These are not ads that slip through—these are ads the NFL has reviewed and chosen to allow.

When you watch the Super Bowl, you are not simply watching a game. You are exposing yourself and your family to hours of advertising designed to normalize gambling, celebrate sexual immorality, promote alcohol consumption, and mock spiritual realities—all approved by the NFL for profit. Even religious campaigns that purchase airtime typically present a watered-down, culturally acceptable version of Christ that avoids biblical truth to gain worldly acceptance. "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes."

The Culture Promotes Immodesty and Carnality

Beyond the performers and advertisements, the very culture of the NFL promotes immodesty and carnality through the systematic objectification of women and girls. The cheerleaders—someone's daughters, sisters, mothers—are dressed in revealing uniforms and perform sexualized dance routines before millions of viewers, teaching our daughters that their value lies in their bodies and teaching our sons that women exist for their visual pleasure. This objectification of women as entertainment provokes lust and creates carnal thoughts that are directly contrary to Scripture.

Job made a covenant with his eyes, saying, "I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?" How can Christian men claim to follow Job's example while paying to watch scantily clad women perform sexually suggestive dances?

The players' conduct on the field often includes profanity, trash talk, violent celebrations, and displays of pride that are broadcast to millions. The uniforms themselves are tight and revealing. The atmosphere in NFL stadiums commonly includes cursing, drunkenness, and immorality. Scripture commands, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption."

The Environment of Exploitation

Five juveniles and one adult victim were rescued from trafficking situations. Phoenix police stated: "These events draw large crowds of people, many of them from outside of the state, and large events can create a bigger market for human trafficking and prostitution related activities." The pattern repeats: In Las Vegas (2024), over 400 violations; in Los Angeles (2022), 82 victims rescued including 8 children.

I am not saying the NFL directly causes this trafficking. What I am saying is this: major sporting events create environments where exploitation occurs, and law enforcement has documented this pattern repeatedly. As Christians, we must ask ourselves whether we should participate in and financially support events that—whatever the NFL's intentions—create circumstances where women and children are bought and sold.

As a pastor in Arizona, I cannot ignore that five children were rescued from trafficking during our state's Super Bowl week. When you choose to participate in Super Bowl culture, you are choosing to be present in an environment where this exploitation is documented to occur.

The Heart Condition

The NFL represents conformity to this world. It embodies the values, the priorities, and the morality of a culture that has rejected God.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." The NFL appeals to the lust of the flesh through its promotion of sexual immorality and its culture of carnality. It appeals to the lust of the eyes through its spectacle, its entertainment, and its constant visual stimulation. It appeals to the pride of life through its celebration of wealth, fame, and physical dominance. These are not of the Father. They are of the world.

The question before you is simple: Will you pursue holiness even when it means missing the Super Bowl?

You cannot serve God and the NFL. You cannot financially support and culturally participate in an organization that actively promotes Sodom and Gomorrah activities, sexual immorality, gambling, violence, and worldliness, and then claim to be pursuing biblical holiness and separation unto God.

My Prayer for You

Friends, I don't write this to condemn you. I write this because I love you and because God has placed the responsibility on me as a watchman to sound a clear warning.

Scripture commands: "Preach the word... reprove, rebuke... for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine." That time has come. Many no longer endure sound doctrine on this issue. They want permission to enjoy their entertainment without examining whether it honors God.

My prayer is that you will examine your heart, seek God's face, and make the choice to pursue holiness—even when it means missing what the rest of the world considers the biggest entertainment event of the year.

"Choose you this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

The NFL has made its choice. Now you must make yours.

Will you serve the Lord, or will you serve the world?

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Consulted Works

• ADRA International. "ADRA Puts a Spotlight on Human Trafficking During the Super Bowl." February 8, 2024.

• Advocate.com. "NFL donates $100k to Trevor Project on National Coming Out Day." October 11, 2024.

• Apostolic Faith Church (West & Central Africa). "Worldliness and Worldly Amusements."

• CBS News Pittsburgh. "After Carl Nassib's Coming Out Announcement, NFL Donates $100,000 To LGBTQ+ Organization The Trevor Project." June 23, 2021.

• Charger Bulletin, The. "The prevalence of domestic violence in the NFL." December 7, 2021.

• Charles Ullman & Associates. "Domestic Violence and the NFL: Is The League Listening to Victims?" May 13, 2024.

• Crane, Rev. J.T. Popular Amusements. Cincinnati: Hitchcock and Walden; New York: Carlton and Lanahan, 1869. Pages 10-11. Available at Project Gutenberg.

• Daily Signal, The. "Police Log 400 Human Trafficking Cases in Super Bowl Week." March 5, 2024.

• ESPN. "Legal NFL betting estimated to reach high of $30B in 2025." August 28, 2025.

• ESPN. "NFL launching initiatives throughout LGBTQ History Month." October 9, 2020.

• ESPN. "Sick of all those sports betting ads? It might not be as bad as you think." April 18, 2025.

• FiveThirtyEight. "The Rate of Domestic Violence Arrests Among NFL Players." July 31, 2014.

• Fox News. "Sex trafficking crackdown yielded nearly 350 arrests ahead of Super Bowl: Arizona police." February 21, 2023.

• Front Office Sports. "NFL Agent: Gambling Sponsorship Policy is 'Hypocritical'." June 22, 2023.

• Hill, The. "NFL to match Carl Nassib's $100,000 donation to LGBT organization." June 22, 2021.

• Mariner, David. "Historic Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center Opens." June 24, 2024.

• Middlesex University. "NFL players 'still have successful careers after arrests for violence against women'." October 3, 2025.

• NBC Los Angeles. "LA Human Trafficking Operation Rescues More than 80 Victims." February 15, 2022.

• NFL.com. "NFL continues successful partnership with The Trevor Project." October 11, 2023.

• NFL.com. "NFL renews support of The Trevor Project, donates $100,000." October 11, 2022.

• Russell Street Report. "NFL Teams Empowered To Forge Individual Sponsorship Deals with Sports Betting Brands." February 27, 2024.

  
  

Source citations are provided for verification purposes. Palominas Chapel Church of God does not endorse advertising or other content that may appear on these third-party websites. This document represents the religious convictions and pastoral teaching of Palominas Chapel, based on our understanding of Scripture and the Holiness tradition.