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Arian Foster admits he’s an atheist, doesn’t believe in God

By Josh Hill

Oct 9, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) bows to celebrates his third quarter touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) bows to celebrates his third quarter touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arian Foster is one of the best running backs in the NFL, and he’s not afraid to own his beliefs and admit he doesn’t believe in God. 

One of the most important stories of the day you’re not talking about involves Arian Foster. No, this has nothing to do with his torn groin, rather it has everything to do with his strength and courage. In a world that puts religion first and foremost, Foster is in a select and growing group of people that identify as nonbelievers — or atheists.

In an interview with ESPN, Foster came forth and admitted that he doesn’t believe in God — a concept that is still relatively taboo in America.

Foster notes that he gets why people need faith, but that’s just not enough for him. He also wants it pointed out that he’s not a devil worshipper, something that atheists tend to get labeled a lot.

"“I get the devil-worship thing a lot. They’ll ask me, ‘You worship the devil?'” he says. “‘No, bro, I don’t believe there’s a God, why would I believe there’s a devil?’ There’s a lot of ignorance about nonbelief. I don’t mean a negative connotation of ignorance. I just mean a lack of understanding, a lack of knowledge, lack of exposure to people like me.”"

This isn’t as groundbreaking as having the first openly gay player in the sport, but it’s still something that shouldn’t be glossed over. In fact, when it comes to atheists, that’s usually the reaction they get as they’re tossed to the side and ignored because their belief is scarier than the one commonly held in America.

Foster is an atheist in Texas, no less, which makes this admission even more harrowing on his part. There are a millions of Americans who identify as nonbelievers or atheists and don’t regularly practice religion. There’s nothing wrong with that either, as atheists aren’t trying to push their views onto anyone else — they just simply are who they are.

With Foster coming out as atheist, he will be a major voice for people who believe what he does — which is technically nothing. It’s the Seinfeld belief — it’s all about nothing — and Foster is bringing that to the forefront in a way that will help legitimize the belief in not believing.

It’s a meaningful day for not just atheists but those who believe things that are against the norm and are afraid to admit them for fear of backlash from friends and loved ones. That’s why this is so important, and it’s going to continue to build a stronger foundation for being who you are and not trying to live your life thorough a prism.

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