PARIS (BP) — Olympic wrestler Aaron Brooks holds nothing back. You don’t have to encounter Brooks long to know the top priority in his life.

His Instagram posts regularly reference Scripture verses. In his media interviews, he frequently and repeatedly talks about his commitment to Christ, sometimes while wearing a headband with the phrase “100% Jesus.”

“Praise the Lord,” Brooks said immediately in a post-match interview with NBC April 20 after earning his spot on the Olympic team. “Like I say many times, it’s a journey with Him. I just put my faith in Him. Praise the Lord.”

Brooks punched his ticket to the Paris Olympics by upsetting reigning Olympic gold medalist David Taylor in the 86-kilogram class. His interview remarks were nothing new for Brooks, who after winning his third straight NCAA title in 2023 earned criticism for his comments.

“Christ’s resurrection is everything — not just His life, but His death and resurrection,” Brooks said following that match. “You can only get that through Him, the Holy Spirit only through Him, no false prophets, no Muhammad, no anyone else, only Jesus Christ Himself.”

The NCAA posted that interview with Brooks on X but deleted it shortly thereafter amid complaints about Brooks’ statement. While many were unhappy, Franklin Graham came to Brooks’ defense.

“Some criticized Aaron for his bold faith, but I applaud him!” Graham wrote on Facebook. “Jesus died for our sins on a Roman cross, was buried, and on the third day, God raised Him from the dead! He’s not dead, He’s alive! Thank you Aaron Brooks 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).”

Brooks was a four-time NCAA champion wrestler during his career at Penn State, compiling a collegiate record of 89-3. Only six other wrestlers have ever won four NCAA titles.

“Obviously, that’s super impressive,” said Caleb McElfresh, the men’s wrestling coach at Missouri Baptist University (MBU). “He’s beaten some good guys along the way doing that.”

McElfresh said Brooks’ commitment to the Lord is evident from watching his media interviews.

“He typically is wearing something that shows his faith, or he’s blatantly right away stating, ‘Hey, glory to God. That’s who got me here,’” McElfresh said.

That kind of commitment, even amidst all the emotions and energy that accompany a grueling match, shows Brooks’ humility and speaks to his character, the MBU wrestling coach added.

“He gives me wisdom, knowledge that surpasses all,” Brooks said in further comments after his Olympic trials win over Taylor. “Some things that I wouldn’t have figured out myself, He showed me in wrestling. Praise to Him.”

Brooks’ YouTube channel contains several lengthy videos of him expounding upon Scripture and addressing spiritual topics. In a May 8 video on the topic “Strange Things,” Brooks talked about the spiritual warfare Christians often encounter.

“We don’t battle against flesh and blood but evil principalities and wickedness in high places,” Brooks said. “When you really start to come to follow Christ and live in the truth, the devil gets angry. He sends people out to try to pull you back into sin.”

Reading from 1 Peter 4:12, Brooks encouraged his viewers to rejoice when they encounter persecution or “strange things” and not live in fear.

“Look at it as a chance to grow closer to Christ,” he said. “Because He’s walking you through the things He’s already been through.”

Brooks takes to the mat in Paris on Aug. 8.

(EDITOR’s NOTE — Tim Ellsworth is associate vice president for university communications at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.)