Among the first supporters were Baseball Hall of Famer Branch Rickey,[4][5] who was most known for breaking the MLB color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, and professional athletes including Otto Graham, Carl Erskine and Donn Moomaw.

[13][14] The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national nonprofit organization, referred to the activities as "predatory," "illegal" and "unconstitutional"[15] in letters sent to superintendents of two of the largest Virginia jurisdictions involved.

We feel the matter is under control and we will monitor this very closely.”[12] Through its media office, FCA issued the following response, "Every student athlete has the right and the freedom to participate in activities according to their individual religious convictions.

[18] However, Vern Law, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Pittsburgh Pirate baseball player in the 1950s and 60s, was featured in early FCA brochures and contributed to the organization's first book intended for an outside audience.

[3][20] For approximately six decades, athletes and coaches from both major and minor professional sports and top-tier college programs have engaged with FCA to communicate their Christian faith and participate in community outreach opportunities.

[21] They would be followed by other influential sports figures including Bobby Bowden, Jim Ryun,[21] Betsy King,[21] Herschel Walker,[22] Reggie White, Tony Dungy, Shaun Alexander,[23] Tom Osborne[21] and Shanna Zolman, all of whom vocalized their Christian faith through FCA outlets such as banquets, camps and rallies.

Recent stars who have connected with FCA have included Adam Wainwright, Brian Roberts,[24] Tim Tebow,[25] Tamika Catchings,[26] John Harbaugh,[27] Leah O'Brien Amico,[22] Allyson Felix[28] Colt McCoy,[29] Andrew McCutchen[30] and a number of public figures outside the world of sports such as comedian Jeff Foxworthy[31] and Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson.

[32] FCA presents several national awards every year to athletes and coaches who have excelled in specific areas of competition, community service and Christian character.

[39] First presented in 2008, this award was established to honor former North Carolina State University women's basketball coach Kay Yow, who died after a nearly 22-year battle with cancer.