Colorado State's Football Team Finds Strength in Faith

A year ago, the Colorado State Rams football team was defined by grit, hard work, and a Stalwart mentality. Now, their bond isn’t just forged through blood and sweat but through scripture and shared faith. A brotherhood rooted in something greater than the game. A football team that has a foundation based on God’s word and collective teamwork.

For a while Colorado State University’s football program has been just like any Division One program in the country. A rollercoaster of ups and downs accompanied by short coaching stints and busy transfer portals. This season however the Rams haven’t just been putting in extra time on the practice field or in the film room, but they have turned their attention to spiritual growth.

This call to Christ didn’t just start as a mid-season revelation, but the team has been going through this spiritual growth since the off-season. Team captains Chase Wilson and Jack Howell along with other players have led this Ram revival in the locker room for months.

Just three days before their season opener against Texas, starting safety and team captain Henry Blackburn addressed the media, reflecting on the significant changes the team underwent during the off-season. “The biggest difference I'd say is the spiritual level of this team and how close we're bonding; how close we are to God. Like we want to give all the glory to God in this whole entire season. Give the glory to Jesus Christ, like we are very very tight as a group right now.”

Colorado State football players praying before their home opener at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins on September 7th, 2024

Photo by Shelby Styer

This “newfound faith” wasn’t just an overnight occurrence for the Rams, but it has been a spiritual journey led by team pastor Johnny Square. Blackburn says that he has been a significant influence on the team, leading them in Bible studies and continuing to guide them to the cross. Pastor Square has been in ministry for decades in Fort Collins and is the team pastor for both Rams football and Rams basketball. He is a spiritual leader both in the locker room and in the community as the head pastor at Iasis Christ Fellowship Church in Fort Collins.

While Pastor Square has been a guiding influence, the team’s spiritual journey has taken on a life of its own within the locker room. One of the younger leaders on the team, sophomore star quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi has witnessed the Rams’ transformation firsthand.

The shift toward a Christ-centered culture isn’t just coming from the veterans, it’s being embraced by players across all classes, creating a unified locker room rooted in faith. Reflecting on the team’s off-season focus, Fowler-Nicolosi shared, “We've really leaned into the spiritual side of it and so understanding who we're playing for and why we're playing and that's Jesus Christ ultimately which is a huge aspect of this game.”

The Rams’ outlook on the upcoming season is unmistakably different from previous years, with leaders in the locker room pointing to this shift as one of the most significant changes in the team’s culture compared to last year.

It is clear to see how these players have embraced Jesus Christ as a 12th man out on the field with them.