Arian Foster reflects on atheism, relationship between religion, football

For many, religion and football are firmly connected. For Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, that's not the case.

Foster has spent his entire football career in the Bible Belt, both as a collegian at Tennessee and as a pro with the Texans.

"Everybody always says the same thing: You have to have faith," Foster said in an interview with ESPN The Magazine's Tim Keown. "That's my whole thing: Faith isn't enough for me. For people who are struggling with that, they're nervous about telling their families or afraid of the backlash ... man, don't be afraid to be you. I was, for years."

Foster, a four-time Pro Bowler and a highly visible member of the Houston sports community, knows that his willingness to speak on his secular beliefs may draw scrutiny from his constituents.

"You don't want to ruin endorsements," Foster said. "People might say, 'I don't want an atheist representing my team.' Now, though, I'm established in this league, and as I'm digging deeper into myself and my truth, just being me is more important than being sexy to Pepsi or whoever. After a while, what's an extra dollar compared to the freedom of being you? That's the choice I made."

The 28-year-old was adamant that people should feel free to believe in whatever religion - or lack thereof - they'd like to, and appeared to be annoyed that some equate his atheism to worshiping the devil.

"If a loving, kind Christian, Muslim, or Jewish person can't accept a different vantage point, there's just nothing I can do about it," Foster said. "I have no ill will toward religion or religious people. I have no quarrels. Believe what you want to believe."

Entering a critical season, Foster can now play football with his beliefs firmly entrenched and ought not to feel judged based on his candor.