A PENNSYLVANIA State University wrestler last month faced backlash for discussing his Christian faith and calling Muhammad a “false prophet” after winning an NCAA title.
As reported by CBN News, 22-yearold Aaron Brooks won his third consecutive individual NCAA title after defeating Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa in the 184-pound finals. During a post-match interview, Brooks expressed his faith in Jesus Christ, attributing the victory to God.
“It’s everything. Christ’s resurrection is everything,” Brooks declared. “Not just his life, but his death and resurrection. You can only get that through Him — the Holy Spirit only through Him. No false prophets, no Muhammad or no anyone else. Only Jesus Christ himself.”
When asked where his power and finesse come from, Brooks credited the Holy Spirit. “Acts 1:8, Power, Holy Spirit power, it’s everything,” he said. “That’s where it’s from. I’m blessed. God used me. He gave me this platform for this right here… It’s all for his glory,” he said.
Brooks came under fire for his comments on Muhammad on social media, with some likening it to bigotry.
“What a strange and disrespectful thing to say. What the. Pretty darn weird. Not to mention offensive to Muslims. Also can’t believe they put the clip and posted it on Twitter,” journalist Ariel Helwani wrote on Twitter.
“After capturing his third title at the 2023 NCAA wrestling championships, Aaron Brooks used his ESPN interview to call Muhammad a false prophet and take a cheap shot at Muslims,” wrote the MMA and UFC News outlet Bloody Elbow.
“I’ve heard plenty of Christian pastors say this, but it’s wild to see a Christian athlete trash Muslims during a post-match interview by calling Muhammad a ‘false’ prophet,” Hemant Mehta, also known as the friendly atheist, said.
Evangelist Franklin Graham, however, commended Brooks for taking a stand for his Christian faith. “Aaron Brooks won his 3rd consecutive NCAA title this past weekend, and as he has done throughout his stellar career, he gave glory to the Lord,” Graham tweeted.
“Thank you, Aaron, for being unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who declared, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6).” CatholicVotes.org also lauded Brooks, writing, “AMAZING RESPONSE. Why did @NCAAWrestling delete this clip?” The NCAA came under fire for posting and then deleting the clip of the post-match interview. Neither the NCAA nor Brooks have responded to the backlash
