NFL players joined with Christian charity to hand out Bibles as Christmas

Seven NFL football players joined with nonprofit Athletes for Charity to give away 500 Bibles at Christmas time. Don Carey, Andre Fluellen, Ryan Lindley, Kawann Short, Kevin Pamphile, Alterraun Verner and Reggie Walker used social media to encourage Facebook, Instagram and Twitter followers to join the campaign.

Lions safety Carey posted trivia questions for his fans while Chargers linebacker Walker asked followers to use the hashtag #HolidayBibleGiveAway. Buccaneers cornerback Verner suggested his fans post their favorite scriptures.

The initiative, in its third year, gave away 500 Tyndale study Bibles to participating winners.

According to Christian Today, Verner said, “I love hosting the Holiday Bible Giveaway each year because it allows me the opportunity to give away the greatest gift to my fans and followers and share my love for God’s Word with them.”

According to Athletes for Charity president Cathleen Laporte, tapping well-known athletes to bring attention to the Word of God via social networking sites is effective.

“We’re using our social media as a platform to share the word of God and to gift the greatest gift, a Bible,” Laporte said, according to The Christian Post. “We’re able to spread the word far more quickly than by just physically speaking.”

Buccaneers cornerback Verner, who was one of the first NFL players to participate in the Athletes for Charity project, asked his followers to share their favourite biblical passages before he randomly selected 25 winners.

Said Verner, “This is the season of giving and what better gift to give someone than a Bible.

“I love hosting the Holiday Bible Giveaway each year because it allows me the opportunity to give away the greatest gift to my fans and followers and share my love for God’s Word with them.”