Jameis Winston Delivers Powerful, Unexpected Prayer on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’

One of the most brash and irreverent shows in sports media, The Pat McAfee Show, delivered another unpredictable moment last week when NFL quarterback Jameis Winston took McAfee's comment about praying and turned it into a genuine prayer. The now-viral moment took place as the Cleveland quarterback discussed his future plans in the NFL and as McAfee joked about Winston's late-season turnovers. The Browns' quarterback was benched after throwing eight interceptions in his last three games. 

The Pat McAfee Show is simulcast on ESPN and YouTube. 

"My mindset right now is on my preparation and limiting all negative plays and focusing on how can I play consistent winning football," Winston said. 

"So, has God blessed you with throwing less pick-sixes?" McAfee asked. 

Winston, an outspoken Christian, took the joke in stride. 

"The Lord has definitely delivered me from pick-sixes. I threw a few picks, but I should have been more specific in my prayer," Winston said to laughter.

"Every prayer can get better," McAfee said. "You know what I mean? Every single one." 

"That's why you pray every day," Winston responded. 

McAfee, seemingly joking, then responded, "Let's pray right now, Jameis. Can you lead a prayer for us?"

Winston, though, didn't hesitate as McAfee and everyone in the studio bowed in prayer. 

"Heavenly Father, we do not want to joke about You at all," Winston prayed. "Lord, we are so honored and grateful that we are able to be among each other. Lord, You have given us this moment now, and this is all that we have. God, help us, please, to advance Your Kingdom as we move forward. Lord, I just pray for Pat and his team, Lord that they just continue to give people the word of true sports, of experiences of a lifetime, Lord. But through that, Lord, they can find You in everything that they do. Lord, bless us with a great voice. Lord, lead us to the Promised Land. Lord, in Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."

Winston led Cleveland two wins over Baltimore and Pittsburgh in 2024, finishing the season with 2,121 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. 

He has dabbled in sports media during the offseason and, perhaps, has a future in television or radio. For now, though, he wants to continue playing in the NFL. Winston won the Heisman Trophy at Florida State and was drafted in 2015.

"I know I'm one of the best 32 quarterbacks in this world," he said. "But I do whatever's required, right? And what I want for myself, I want for everyone. So when someone else is in that role, like late in the season, when [coach] Kevin Stefanski turned it over to Dorian Thompson-Robinson -- I'm his biggest fan because I know the importance of week to week. I just want to win. That's all I want. It's not the stardom. It's not the fame. Obviously, I want to be the team's quarterback." 

Wow! Jameis Winston just prayed on the Pat McAfee show. And it’s awesome. pic.twitter.com/U0K3aSiUcj

— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) February 7, 2025

Photo Credit: ©X/Sports Spectrum

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Originally published February 13, 2025.