RALEIGH, N.C.—Following the firing of Sean Hudson, the Washington Nationals’ Director of Community Relations, a public apology to pitcher Trevor Williams, and growing national attention surrounding allegations of religious discrimination across major sports teams, Faith Driven Consumer (FDC) today renewed its “Add Us In: Stand With Faith-Driven Athletes and Fans” campaign by calling on professional sports leagues and teams to provide faith-driven athletes and fans equal standing through meaningful opportunities to be welcomed, embraced, celebrated and affirmed.

“Trevor Williams is the latest reminder that faith-driven athletes are already part of the game,” said Chris Stone, Founder of Faith Driven Consumer. “Just weeks ago, our campaign highlighted NBA Christian athlete Jaden Ivey’s dismissal. Now Trevor Williams has become another example of concerns that faith-driven athletes and fans may not always receive equal respect, equal access and equal standing in professional sports. Different athlete. Different league. Same question: will faith-driven athletes and fans receive equal respect, equal access and equal standing?”

The controversy erupted after Sean Hudson, then the Washington Nationals’ Director of Community Relations, was recorded suggesting that Williams had been excluded from social media promotion because of his outspoken Christian faith and public defense of his religious beliefs. Williams had previously drawn national attention after criticizing the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recognition of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group widely criticized by many Christians for mocking Jesus Christ and core Christian beliefs.

The Nationals terminated Hudson, publicly apologized to Williams, and stated that Hudson’s comments were “factually incorrect” and did “not reflect the views, opinions, or actions of the Washington Nationals.” Nationals President of Business Operations Jason Sinnarajah stated, “I want to say unequivocally we are not anti-Catholic.” Christian and religious liberty organizations called for accountability, while CatholicVote filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice. However, more can be done to welcome faith-driven athletes and fans.

“Our ask is simple,” Stone said. “To Major League Baseball: work with faith-driven athletes, fans and leaders to create meaningful pathways toward equal respect, equal access and equal standing across the game. Faith & Family Nights are one practical step teams can take today. To faith-driven athletes and fans: sign the petition and stand together.”

Faith Driven Consumer believes Major League Baseball—and professional sports more broadly—has an opportunity to more intentionally welcome, embrace, celebrate and affirm faith-driven athletes and fans as part of FDC’s “Add Us In” campaign. As Pride Month begins, MLB and other professional sports leagues will once again participate in month-long initiatives designed to recognize and engage specific communities. FDC is calling for faith-driven athletes and fans to receive the same intentional engagement and equal standing. While some MLB teams host Faith & Family Nights and similar faith-focused events, FDC views these efforts as a positive first step toward the broader goal of providing faith-driven athletes and fans equal respect, equal access and equal standing across the game.

Faith Driven Consumer calls on Major League Baseball and its teams to work with faith-driven athletes, fans, and leaders to establish meaningful pathways toward equal respect, equal access and equal standing across all aspects of player, administrative and fan engagement, including:

Faith Driven Consumer’s “Add Us In: Stand With Faith-Driven Athletes and Fans” campaign invites athletes, fans, families, churches, and supporters nationwide to sign the petition at faithdrivenconsumer.com/petition, and send a unified message to professional sports organizations like the MLB: Faith-driven athletes and fans should be welcomed, embraced, celebrated and affirmed. Add us in.

Faith Driven Consumer first gained national attention during the #StandWithPhil campaign and today represents a measurable audience of approximately 41 million Americans whose faith shapes everyday decisions—part of a broader group of roughly 90 million whose beliefs influence their economic choices.

About Faith Driven Consumer:

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.