FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 17, 2026
Contact: Liza Deckelbaum, Press Director, FDC
press@faithdrivenconsumer.com
FDC ANNOUNCES “STAND WITH LANDEN ROUPP” PETITION AFTER MLB WARNS GIANTS PITCHERS FOR WRITING BIBLE VERSES ON PRIDE NIGHT HATS
FDC says Christian athletes should not be warned or punished for peaceful faith expression
RALEIGH, N.C.—FDC today announced its “Add-Us-In: Stand with Landen Roupp” petition after Major League Baseball warned San Francisco Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker for writing Genesis 9:12–16 on their Pride Night hats. The passage contains the biblical account of God’s covenant with humanity and the rainbow as a sign of His promise. Roupp explained, “It’s just about God’s covenant and a promise that he makes to us . . . his faithfulness and his mercy,” adding that it reflects “something I believe in, and I stand firm in that,” and that he is thankful to live in a country where people have “the freedom to believe what we want . . . and express what we want.”
MLB reportedly warned the players that writing on their caps violated league rules and would not be permitted in the future. FDC says the warning raises a key question: Should MLB warn Christian players for expressing the biblical origin and meaning of the rainbow after requiring participation in a league-sponsored Pride Night celebration built around that same symbol?
FDC believes the answer is no.
The petition is the latest chapter in FDC’s ongoing Add-Us-In campaign, which calls on major sports leagues to welcome, respect, and affirm faith-driven athletes and fans with the same clarity extended to other communities. Recent examples have included MLB pitcher Trevor Williams and NBA guard Jaden Ivey, where FDC raised concerns that Christian conviction is too often treated as controversial, risky, or professionally costly when it becomes visible in public life.
FDC notes that visible Christian expression remains common across major sports, from MLB players writing Scripture on caps to NBA, NFL, NHL, NASCAR, and FIFA World Cup soccer athletes publicly giving glory to God, praying together, and sharing Christian testimony. “These moments are not isolated,” said Chris Stone, Founder of Faith Driven Consumer. “Christian athletes are everywhere. The question is whether leagues will welcome athletes who live their faith openly—or only tolerate them when they keep that faith private.”
FDC argues that while leagues actively promote Pride Month through events, merchandise, partnerships, and public messaging, Christian fans and athletes do not receive comparable institutional recognition. “Pride Month demonstrates that major sports leagues know how to welcome a community with clarity,” Stone said. “FDC is asking them to extend that same welcome to Christians.”
Christian fans support major sports with their tickets, subscriptions, merchandise purchases, media attention, and loyalty. Christian athletes across major sports openly express faith in God, Jesus Christ, prayer, Scripture, baptism, team chapel, Christian ministry, and personal testimony. Yet there is no comparable league-wide effort affirming Christian identity and participation. “That disparity is the issue,” Stone said. “A player thanking God after a win is not the same as a public assurance from the league that Christian identity belongs in sports culture.”
FDC says the warning to Roupp, Brubaker, and Walker brings that concern directly before MLB: Are Christian athletes truly welcome when their faith becomes visible in a moment that matters?
FDC’s “Add-Us-In: Stand with Landen Roupp” campaign calls on MLB to:
- Withdraw any threat of punishment against players who peacefully express Christian faith.
- Ensure expression policies are applied equally across all viewpoints and causes.
- Protect religious expression and conscience for players, coaches, staff, and fans.
- Publicly affirm that Christian athletes and fans are welcomed and respected throughout the game.
FDC is asking fans across the country to stand with Landen Roupp, stand with Christian athletes, and call on MLB and other major sports leagues to join the Add-Us-In campaign.
Faith Driven Consumer (FDC) is a national movement focused on the intersection of faith, culture, and everyday life. FDC equips Christ-followers to live their faith openly and works with institutions across the marketplace, workplace and public culture to recognize and respond to faith-driven consumers with equal respect, equal access and equal standing.
About Chris Stone:
