Chauncey Franks, the chaplain of Texas Christian University\u2019s football team, looked out into a sea of congregants dressed in various shades of purple and told the audience what he anticipates Fort Worth will look like in the coming weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just down the street from University Christian Church, where Franks delivered his message Sunday morning, thousands of people will soon pack Amon G. Carter Stadium to watch TCU kick off the 2026 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While fans from different walks of life fill the stadium, there\u2019s one thing that brings them together, Franks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we\u2019re one. We\u2019re Horned Frogs, and we\u2019re working to cheer each other on,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
TCU players and coaches gathered Aug. 16 at University Christian Church\u2019s Sunday service as the congregation blessed the team before the season begins at the end of August. The Horned Frogs travel to Dublin, Ireland, to open the season Aug. 29 against North Carolina, then face Grambling State University on Sept. 12 for their home opener.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TCUBlessings_MYG20260816-1-1024x683.jpg\")
The Rev. Russ Peterman of University Christian Church, left, puts his stole on Chauncey Franks, right, chaplain of Texas Christian University\u2019s football team, as he delivered a message during a Sunday service at University Christian Church on Aug. 16, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
When players step onto the stadium, they represent one team, Franks said. That parallel can also reflect life, he added, referring to Hebrews 12:1-2, which calls believers into spiritual endurance by shedding off hindrances and sins and focusing on Jesus as a source of faith.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery last one of us is running a race, and sometimes that race is challenging,\u201d Franks said. \u201cOur heavenly Father is on the finish line, we must encourage each other on our life journey, and as we go through life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the service, the Rev. Russ Peterman, University Christian Church\u2019s senior minister, dove into the Book of John\u2019s early scriptures. He discussed how John\u2019s gospel differs from that of Matthew, Mark and Luke by emphasizing that Christianity requires more than just ethical kindness; it requires heartfelt belief in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TCUBlessings_MYG20260816-3-1024x683.jpg\")
Texas Christian University football players attend a Sunday service at University Christian Church on Aug. 16, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
To bring home the comparison, Peterman said the players who make a difference are the ones who believe in the team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are the ones that believe in the system, that believe in each other, the ones that play for the guy next to you, not for their own ego,\u201d Peterman said. \u201cThey believe in the winning culture that you are created long before the record shows it, and that\u2019s not something that you can fake under the lights, is it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TCUBlessings_MYG20260816-4-1024x683.jpg\")
The Rev. Russ Peterman, left, receives a signed football from Ansel Din-Mbuh, Chauncey Franks and Hudson Hooper during Texas Christian University\u2019s visit to University Christian Church on Aug. 16, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TCUBlessings_MYG20260816-6-1024x683.jpg\")
Texas Christian University\u2019s football team gives a signed ball to the Rev. Russ Peterman during the team\u2019s visit to University Christian Church on Aug. 16, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report) <\/p>\n
Among the players in attendance was Ansel Din-Mbuh, a senior defensive tackle studying kinesiology and criminal justice. He said the hymns and pastor\u2019s message reminded him of his Presbyterian upbringing in Aledo and struck a tone heading into a new school year and season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s no belief behind it, you\u2019re kind of just doing actions that have no purpose,\u201d Din-Mbuh said. \u201cYou have to believe in the things that you\u2019re doing, or else why are you doing them?\u201d<\/p>\n
Marissa Greene is the faith and fellowships editor at the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n