The papers in this session examine the role of race and gender in selected sports and how religion informs this intersection. The idea that sports constitutes a "color blind meritocracy" and the fact that the sports world has become the primary site for political arguments over transgenderism inform the critical tone of these essays.
As the most decorated gymnast in history, Simone Biles inspired millions through awe-striking acrobatic feats on the grandest competitive stages. Among the sources of Biles’ motivation to compete and strive for excellence is her Catholic faith. In this paper, I will examine Biles’ public statements about her Catholic upbringing, its connections to her record-breaking talent, and the challenges she endures as a world-class African American gymnast.
Likened to the Olympic Games for amateurs, running the Boston Marathon is a coveted goal that has become increasingly difficult to achieve. How people “earn” a spot in the race is not without controversy. Rhetoric in marathon communities about the deserving vs. the undeserving, and hard work versus luck or natural talent, mimics the age-old religious question of grace versus works, and how salvation is reached. The recent inclusion of a category for non-binary runners has increased such debates, and gender non-conforming athletes are maligned for taking the spots of more “worthy runners.” Several religious groups have also openly opposed the inclusion of transgender and non-binary athletes in sports, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This raises the question of who is “worthy” and if anyone has a God-given right to race, which has critical implications for the future of the sport.
This paper examines how Christian theology responds to the commodification of Black bodies in sports and society by integrating Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theological anthropology, James Cone’s Black liberation theology, and Gary Green II’s ethics of Black athleticism. Bonhoeffer’s concept of the human as “being-for-others” affirms relational dignity, while Cone’s critique of white supremacy exposes the systemic objectification and control of Black athletes. Green’s Playing the Game (2025) introduces “embodied brilliance” as a form of athletic resistance, offering a vision of Black personhood beyond commodification. Together, these perspectives critique American sports culture’s distorted views of embodiment, labor, and personhood, while reimagining athletics as a space of communion rather than exploitation. This paper argues for a theological vision where grace, play, and relationality define human engagement in sport, challenging structures that reduce Black bodies to mere instruments of entertainment and profit.