Heisman favorite Collin Klein throws support behind persecuted Christians

Heisman favorite Collin Klein throws support behind persecuted Christians November 20, 2012

Turns out the black wristband he’s wearing in the picture has meaning: 

Kansas State star quarterback Collin Klein has hooked up with Open Doors USA to support thepersecuted church.

Klein is pictured on the current cover of Sports Illustrated throwing a pass. He is tabbed in the magazine’s article as one of the leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy, given annually to arguably the best player in college football.

On his left wrist Klein is wearing a black wristband with the logo “One With Them.” One With Them, a program of Open Doors USA, is a call for Christians in the West to come along side persecuted believers worldwide.

Klein is one of thousands who are wearing the black, flexible silicone wristband that looks like barbed wire. The wristbands provide an opportunity to explain to others the plight of persecuted believers and to urge prayer for the estimated 100 million Christians suffering for the faith in countries such as North Korea, Syria and Egypt.

Open Doors USA Interim CEO Steve Ridgway, a former All-American football player at Pacific Lutheran University, explains the connection between Open Doors and Klein:

“Collin Klein married my college football coach’s (Dr. Forrest “Frosty” Westering/College Football Hall of Fame inductee) granddaughter, Shalin (Spani) Klein. The night before his wedding I asked if he would go to our website and consider wearing one of our One With Them wristbands. He said that he would consider it an honor to wear it.

“Both he and his wife wear it as well as Shalin’s sister, Taber Spani, who is the captain of the Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball team. Shalin told me that Collin loves to speak of why he wears the wristband and the need to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Read more. 


Browse Our Archives