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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 4d

Later this month I'll be at Wheaton College for a talk on my work as a historian of sports and Christianity in America.

If you're in the area, please join us! Or if you're not but you know someone who is, please spread the word.

More here: calendar.library.wheaton.edu/event/15257468

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 7d

Weekend reading 📚

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 8d

Don't sleep on this one, either. Came out in May. An excellent read.

www.amazon.com/Bodies-Motio...

Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 8d

One of the best things about the work I get to do is that I often get to see/read some of the books in progress related to sports, religion, history, and/or theology.

And I've got to tell you: There are some great books in the pipeline coming out over the next year or so.

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 9d

Grateful for this award 🙏

truettseminary.baylor.edu/news/story/2...

Faith & Sports Institute Director Paul E. Putz Wins Brewer Prize for “The Spirit of the Game”

truettseminary.baylor.edu

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 17d

Excited for this talk at Wheaton next month!

If you’ll be in the Chicago area on October 30, come by for a talk about sports, American history, and evangelical Christianity.

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Reposted by Paul Putz

Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 22d

Some personal news:

I was informed this week that THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME has been awarded the 2025 Frank S. and Elizabeth D. Brewer Prize from
@aschurchhistory.bsky.social.

This award is for "outstanding scholarship in the history of Christianity by a first-time author."

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 21d

If you’re interested in learning more about the book, my conversation with @skyejethani.bsky.social is a great place to start:

youtu.be/JOWHamhDQ8Q?si

The SkyePod - Paul Putz

YouTube video by Holy Post Media

youtu.be

Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 22d

I'm honestly floored, and so grateful for the many, many people who have shaped my journey as a historian. It's an incredible honor!

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 22d

Some personal news:

I was informed this week that THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME has been awarded the 2025 Frank S. and Elizabeth D. Brewer Prize from
@aschurchhistory.bsky.social.

This award is for "outstanding scholarship in the history of Christianity by a first-time author."

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 27d

Traveling today and I’ve got my airport reading ready to go

Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · 28d

For the last decade in sports, the two bright spots from my home state have been Nebraska volleyball and Bud Crawford.

I’ll be surprised if Crawford can pull this off, but I love that he wanted to step in the ring and give it a shot. Doing Nebraska proud.

Reposted by Paul Putz

davidaldridgedc.bsky.social @davidaldridgedc.bsky.social · Sep 6

There are people among us who are just…better humans. Maya Moore is one of those people. Her basketball excellence, which culminates tonight with her enshrinement in the Naismith Hall of Fame, is the less impressive part of her journey. In
@theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

Maya Moore's Hall of Fame career is the least important reason she's an all-time great

www.nytimes.com

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Sep 4

A new book dives into the history of America's obsession with debating the "Greatest of All Time."

How should Christians engage with this cultural fascination? How should we understand “greatness”?

My thoughts here:

www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/grea...

There Are No Goats—or GOATS—in God’s Kingdom - Christianity Today

How Christians should understand our cultural fascination with debating the “Greatest of All Time.”

www.christianitytoday.com

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 31

Went back in my research files to find this gem:

Lee Corso delivering a talk on the importance of motivation at the 1972 meeting of the American Football Coaches Association.

Tons of exclamation points and some ALL CAPS. You can hear his voice in this thing!

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Reposted by Paul Putz

Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 25

Studying and learning about the intersection of sports and religion should not be unique or rare.

I make that case, and also write about some of the things we’re doing in that space at Baylor

Read here: open.substack.com/pub/paulputz...

Every College Should Offer a "Religion and Sports" Class

And other thoughts from a busy summer at the intersection of faith and sports

open.substack.com

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 25

Studying and learning about the intersection of sports and religion should not be unique or rare.

I make that case, and also write about some of the things we’re doing in that space at Baylor

Read here: open.substack.com/pub/paulputz...

Every College Should Offer a "Religion and Sports" Class

And other thoughts from a busy summer at the intersection of faith and sports

open.substack.com

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 22

Probably my favorite thing about putting the book out has been seeing a wide variety of readers across different vocations and political/cultural perspectives engage with it and find it interesting, meaningful, or helpful.

If you're one of those readers, thank you!

Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 22

This is just amazing to me. I wrote a book about sports and Christianity and it has now been reviewed or featured in:

First Things
Christian Century
America Magazine
Boston Globe
Gospel Coalition
Christian Scholar's Review
Living Church
Practical Theology
Journal of Religious History

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 21

Ok, but isn’t that the answer you could give for literally any industry?

Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 21

Also, I personally think “religion and sports” should be a standard course offered at every university.

Crazy that it’s “unique” to study the intersection of two of the most significant cultural forces and sites of identity formation in modern life.

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 21

Several people have asked if I’m responsible for the Baylor class. I wish I was!

I do teach a class called “Sports and Christianity in Historical Context.” But mine is a grad class.

My friend Andy Meyer, who is awesome, teaches the undergrad religion and sport class.

Chris Laporte @laportereporte.bsky.social · Aug 20

I could see coach @edsbs.bsky.social teaching the UNT course here

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 21

Wish I could claim this!

I do teach a class called “Sports and Christianity in Historical Context.” But mine is a grad class.

My friend Andy Meyer teaches the undergrad religion and sports class.

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Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 21

Wish I could claim this!

I do teach a class called “Sports and Christianity in Historical Context.” But mine is a grad class.

My friend Andy Meyer, who is awesome, teaches the undergrad religion and sports class.

Paul Putz @paulputz.bsky.social · Aug 16

He calls it the best sports book of the decade, and then he’s like “let’s give it 4.5 stars?” What kind of book does it take to get 5 stars?

In all seriousness, congrats and super excited to read this one.

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