NFL Punter Turned YouTube Star Michael Turk Refuses to Hide Jesus — Even if It Costs Him Subscribers
Michael Turk is a full-time media personality who has built what could be described as a YouTube ministry like no other.
Turk operates on faith, family and football. Usually in that order.
He’s also no rookie when it comes to being thrown some of life’s curveballs.
An athlete with high hopes of building a career in the NFL, he didn’t let setbacks hold him back.
The 28-year-old former Division I college punter, who once played before packed arenas and had a contract with the Miami Dolphins, now runs the Hangtime and HangOn YouTube channels.
From NFL to YouTube
Instead of pining for the glory days, the NFL hopeful transformed his vlogging into a full-time faith-based media platform after being waived from playing pro-ball in 2023.
Working with his talents, gifts, abilities, and interests, Turk threw himself further into the YouTube arena.
Since then, his content has attracted the attention and appreciation of over 3.4 million subscribers.
Although Turk, a seasoned Christian, doesn’t refer to his media business as a ministry, he has no issue with being open about the gospel or bearing the cost of doing so.
Turk refuses to hide his Christian faith, even if it costs him subscribers.
He doesn’t back down; he respectfully doubles down.
Turk has indicated that he doesn’t believe his work is done in vain.
As such, he hands any potential roadblocks that could hinder his full-time work on Hangtime over to God.
This includes Turk’s goals for growing the biggest YouTube channel he possibly can.
Counting the Cost of Following Christ
In a recent Instagram post, he published a range of comments that showed just how real the threat of being cancelled for sharing his Christian faith is.
These he summed up as: “I would subscribe if it weren’t for the Jesus stuff.”
One particular comment said, “I was going to subscribe, but not after the weird Jesus B***.”
Responding, Turk said he understood, then declared:
“It got me thinking. As someone who does this full-time, should I stop talking about Jesus because it turns off the masses?
“Absolutely not, because folks, everything in life is complete vanity without Jesus.
“And my goal for my YouTube channel is to make videos that reach a lot of people and plant seeds of gospel truth.”
Identity in Jesus, Not Popularity
By not surrendering his dignity or integrity in exchange for popularity, Turk is living the difference between wearing a cross and carrying one.
In a 2023 video, the footballer said one of the best decisions he’s ever made was putting his faith in Christ.
During the 10-minute sit-down talking about salvation, identity and fulfilment, Turk affirmed that we quickly find out that putting our identity in anything other than Jesus does not stand.
“It is not a firm foundation,” he explained.
Referencing Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, Turk said, “How would I describe my identity? Well, simply put, it’s in Jesus Christ.
“Romans 8:15 says the spirit you receive does not make slaves so that you live in fear again. Rather, the spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship and by him we cry ‘Abba father’.”
Turk then asserted that he doesn’t place his identity in football; he accepts that in Christ, his identity is that of a son of God.
Living for the Glory of God
The creative genius behind Hangtime said the way he now views his life — his worldview from football to any other endeavour, place or relationship — is with the mindset that what he’s doing, he’s doing it all for the Lord.
Closing out the reasons why he needs Christ, Turk leaned further into Colossians 3:23, saying that real fulfilment comes from doing all things for the glory of God.
Speaking with Oklahoma’s Baptist Messenger around the same time, Turk said he committed to Christ in middle school.
This was driven by the Holy Spirit, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and a mixture of dire circumstances that caused him to realise he wasn’t living right.
Turk credits God’s providential guidance throughout that time, saying,
“I know he was guiding me for a specific purpose.”
___
Image via Michael Turk/Instagram.
2 Comments
Leave A Comment
Recent Articles:
31 July 2026
5.9 MINS
It's been 44 years since Keith Green's death in a tragic plane crash, but “his legacy of love for God and love for the lost still lives on to this day.” His uncompromising cross-shaped Christianity is as relevant today as it was over four decades ago.
31 July 2026
3.3 MINS
On Monday Senator Rand Paul released over 1,000 pages of Fauci’s musings, written in his journal during the COVID era — which shockingly reveal that what Fauci demanded the public to believe was very different to what he knew to be the truth.
31 July 2026
2.9 MINS
While national defence, technological development and economic growth are all major threats to our national well-being, I would argue there’s an even greater peril facing our country: the slow erosion of common sense.
31 July 2026
5.8 MINS
The Trump administration has cut $67 million of taxpayer funding for controversial “radical leftist sex ed” programs in favour of solid curriculum that emphasises abstinence and marriage.
30 July 2026
4.7 MINS
Tim Kirk isn't just the chief winemaker at Clonakilla, celebrated as one of Australia’s finest wineries. After a dramatic spiritual encounter filled him with the love of Jesus, he incorporates his faith into all of life and is on a mission to share God with others — and often as a result of his profession.
30 July 2026
1.7 MINS
An Australian-made documentary is exposing what few are willing to discuss: babies born alive after abortion — and left to die. The documentary, titled Born Alive Left To Die, is difficult to watch. Yet this 22-minute film sensitively and unflinchingly presents the medical evidence that every Australian needs to know.
30 July 2026
5.1 MINS
"Turn the Tide" is a timely call to the Church in Australia and New Zealand to recover courage, clarity, conviction, and public faithfulness in an age of confusion and compromise. Shelton's book challenges Christians to rediscover the Church's responsibility to protect children, speak truth, and act faithfully in the public square.
Good on you Michael!
“Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.” – Paul’s statement to the Philippians [2:16] which I believe also applies to you.
Great article Rod. This guy is pure Gold!!!!!