BSU football chaplain Mark Thornton (center of the photo, holding phone) has been a successful spiritual mentor to the team’s players. He also successfully handled a controversy with the Freedom from Religion Foundation and, with the university’s backing, continued to bring Jesus into the locker room and onto the field. (Photo furnished by and used with the permission of Boise State University)
By Steve Bertel
(Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a two-part article.)
Mark Thornton knew the Lord. He attended church. He read the Bible. His father was a pastor. But Mark had no desire to follow in his father’s footsteps.
He wanted to play football.
After graduating from high school in Sacramento, Mark attended Boise State in 1984 with aspirations of doing “big things” to impact the sports program. But, he is quick to admit, “Back then, I was not living for the Lord. I was living the wild life. … And I didn’t finish my time as a player very well.”
That “wild life” led him to become the owner/manager of a local pub – which also led him to face a 25-years-to-life prison sentence for “facilitating” an illegal drug deal out of the pub’s back office.
Mark always felt confident he would “get out” of his trouble with the law. But he didn’t. He ended up reaching a plea bargain agreement with prosecutors – pleading guilty to delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine) – which would require he spend a mandatory three-and-a-half-years behind bars. Not the best deal, but Mark knew it was far better than a life sentence.
Looking back, Mark said, “I certainly could have controlled my own actions.” But it was all part of God’s plan “… because, if it had not been for that prison sentence, my life would not have turned around.”
In August, 1992, Mark says he experienced a “Joseph moment” behind bars and decided to really, truly, honestly become a follower of the Lord. As a result and, while still incarcerated, Mark began studying the Bible more, began attending Promise Keepers meetings, and soon became the prison’s chaplain director.
Released and paroled in October, 1995, he eventually began attending Capital Church in Meridian in January, 1997.
Several months later, Mark says, “Pastor Ken Wilde came up to me and said, ‘God told me you are going to be my worship pastor.’
“But I was skeptical. I told Pastor Wilde, ‘Okay, but you don’t know me. You don’t know my story. I’m here to serve, but do you really want to put me on the platform?’”
He did. Later that month, Mark was hired as the church’s assistant worship director.
It was in 2010 when he was first asked to speak to the Boise State University football team and hold a chapel service. That led to him being eventually brought on board as a volunteer chaplain. Three years later, still serving in that capacity and, through his dedicated work with the “I Heart Treasure Valley” community outreach imitative, he was honored with the Governor’s Brightest Star Award for Volunteer Service. That same year, he became Capital Church’s Community Pastor.
After years of sharing the chaplain position for the football team with local chaplains from two groups, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action, Mark became the Broncos’ only volunteer chaplain in 2016 – while continuing to lead at Capital Church.
His job entails joining the team on the sidelines, both at home and away games; holding chapel the evening before each game; joining and facilitating student-led prayers before and after each game; leading weekly Bible studies; and really, being available for any of the program’s players, coaches, and other personnel who feel they need prayer or counseling.
In 2020, publicly praying with the team – and, in this case, along with the opposing team’s players – inadvertently embroiled Mark in what he feels was the greatest challenge of his career. “We were playing BYU [Brigham Young University] at Albertsons Stadium. I always tell the players, ‘Let’s play hard. Let’s compete. But let’s pray together when it’s all over, because you never know when [a player from the opposing team] might become your teammate at the next level,’” he pointed out.
So, after the particularly intense game, Mark led all the players and coaches from the two teams in kneeling and praying together midfield, praying especially for the student athletes who had been injured in the game, praying they’d make quick recoveries. “Well, a national media outlet covered it, and a photo appeared in the press. The Freedom from Religion Foundation found out about it and essentially accosted us, contending it was a violation of the separation of church and state [since BSU is a publicly-funded university],” Mark recalled.
The FFRF is a nonprofit group made up of atheists, agnostics, and nontheists that advocates for the separation of church and state, and objects to the government and government money backing faith-based programs. “They wanted me immediately removed. They even threatened to sue the university over it. Plus, there was an issue because they assumed I was being paid to travel with the team,” he said. In short, the FFRF felt “providing a chaplain position at a public university creates an unnecessary and unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.”
“So, while BSU was consulting with its legal experts,” Mark said, “I paid my own way to the next game – not knowing if I would be allowed to pray with the team or if I had to stay off of the sidelines. It didn’t matter, though, since most of the praying I do with the guys is in the locker room. I wanted the opportunity to continue to minister to them.”
What’s more, the issue surfaced during the nationwide COVID pandemic so, as games were being cancelled due to concerns over the disease spreading at large public gatherings, like sports arenas, some BSU senior players were worried they would miss their opportunities to be seen by NFL scouts and, subsequently, miss their important one-shot opportunities to play professional ball. “Our chapel services and Bible studies were the only things that gave them encouragement and consistency in their lives at that time,” Mark pointed out. “So, with this issue and the assault by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, the team’s worship opportunities were at the risk of being taken from them as well.
“So I told BSU, ‘I don’t care about this organization. I will meet with the players one-on-one if I have to. We’ve got to get through this. I’ve got to be there for them.’
“Then, at least one news report said I had been removed as chaplain. After seeing that, I thought, ‘Now it’s personal’. I was really upset. I was going to go fight the battle myself. But the Lord told me, ‘No, I’ve got this.’” So Mark had to step back, let go, and let God handle the situation. As it says in 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Then, “Long story short, the University went to bat for me,” he stated. “And announced its decision to the world.” In a December 18, 2020 news release, BSU stated, “Boise State University unequivocally supports and will fiercely defend our students’ right to the free exercise of religion. It’s shameful that parties external to the university are using a photo of student-athlete prayer as an opportunity to attempt to interfere with our student-athletes’ constitutional right to freely practice the religion of their choosing.
“Despite misleading reports to the contrary, Boise State did not end its relationship with Pastor Mark Thornton. We seriously evaluated the constitutional considerations related to this matter, our legal team made an appropriate response, and we remain committed to protecting all student-athletes’ individual rights under the Free Exercise Clause, including access to Pastor Thornton … and other spiritual leaders our students may wish to call upon now and in the future.
“We have set up a fund to support Pastor Thornton’s travel to our games, and, if you feel as we do about this matter, we invite you to contribute to a Free Exercise Fund for students.”
But why did God allow that to happen? Mark believes, “It was one of those moments where someone persecuted us, attacked us for our faith, for our pursuit of Jesus Christ. What was meant for evil was certainly turned around for good. And, I feel, we became a closer-knit team, a closer-knit sports program as a result. Even people who aren’t Christians were amazed at how God showed up in that situation. Some even became more receptive to what we do in chapel and in Bible studies.”
He went on, “I believe everything that happens like that is a set-up of what God wants to do. A lot of times, we want to know what the outcome will be. But God tells us, ‘Don’t worry, don’t be anxious about what it is or what’s going to happen. Just be prepared for what I am going to do.’ For me, it was really a confirmation as to how my absence, the chapels, and the Bible studies were affecting the players. It was a confirmation of ‘Yes, Mark. You’re in the right place. You need to continue being there.’”
“So, now,” he added, “the Boise State football program is going to be known for more than its blue field or its Fiesta Bowl wins. It’s going to be known for its people of prayer.”
Current head football coach Spencer Danielson is perhaps the first coach in BSU sports to be publicly open and vocal about his Christian faith. A quick Google search reveals a number of post-game press conference videos or podcasts or other public appearances where Danielson first and foremost “gives Jesus the glory” for his team’s successes. “The coach and I first met in 2017, when he was a graduate assistant,” Mark recalled. “He was always there, always at chapel. Of course, not all the coaches or players come to chapel or attend our Bible studies, because they are of different faiths. Some are Catholic. Some are Protestant. Some are LDS.”
Reflecting on their friendship, Mark continued: “My favorite ‘Coach D’ story relates to when he got the full-time coaching job. He had applied for it, because he wanted to stay in Boise, and considered coaching at Boise State his dream job. [Former BSU head football coach] Bryan Harsin, who later went on to coach at Auburn, wanted him to be his defensive coordinator there. But ‘Coach D’ said, ‘No, I really believe God wants me to be here in Boise. I know God’s got a plan for me. I don’t know what that plan is yet, but I think I heard Him correctly when He told me my family and I are going to stay here.’”
Mark went on: “When he was going through the head coach hiring process, it was the end of his seventh year at BSU. And I told him, ‘Coach, you know the number seven in the Bible is the number for conclusion or completion, and the number eight in the Bible is the number for new beginnings. So we’re believing you’re going to get this job. We know God will do miraculous things, not only through you as a coach, but through this team.’
“Of course, he was later named head coach and, in his eighth year – which, again, is the year of new beginnings – we made it to the college playoffs! ‘Coach D’ is always trusting in the Lord. And the Lord shows up. So, through prayer and fellowship is really how our friendship has developed over the years,” said Mark. “And my opportunity to be a spiritual advisor to him.”
Mark sees himself also as an always-available spiritual mentor, a spiritual advisor to the players. Or, as he put it, “Some of the players will come up to me and say, ‘Please pray for me, Pastor. I need to trust Jesus.’ Because they may be going through some traumatic time in their life.
“And I tell them, ‘Okay, let’s pray. Right now.’ And we do.
He prays with team members for whatever difficulties or situations they are facing at the time, either challenges in their academic lives or challenges in their personal lives. Or both. As Mark described it, “The players recognize I’m there as a spiritual advisor to help them be the best versions of themselves that they can. Then the doors open up, the walls come down, and I’m able to minister to them and show them the love of Jesus in a way they can receive it.”
The Bible-based guidance Mark gives those in the football program arms them with the faith and spiritual strength they need to face the day-to-day struggles of life. On a number of occasions, it has even led to more lifelong impacts. Case in point: former defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein.
Born in the United States, Ahmed was six years old when he moved to Egypt with his father. Ten years later, he returned to this country and was convinced to play sports by his brother, who was then an offensive coordinator for an Anaheim, California high school football team.
Ahmed’s talents on the gridiron caught the attention of Spencer Danielson, who was then Boise State’s defensive coordinator. In December of 2020, Ahmed signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Boise State.
During his first two seasons as a Bronco (2021, 2022), Ahmed played in more than 20 games and completed 18 tackles. His breakthrough season came the following year, with a total of 53 tackles – earning him first-team All-Mountain West honors. He became one of the team’s captains in 2024 and, after making a sack and six tackles in the Fiesta Bowl, wrapped up the season with 48 tackles.
Mark remembered well the pre-game encounter several years ago that became a turning point in Ahmed’s life. “It was an away game. We had chapel on a Friday night, because we had a Saturday game. When we got to the stadium on Saturday, I began praying individually for the guys in our locker room. I had them line up individually. Well, given the space constraints, we were praying in front of a player’s locker – Ahmed’s locker. I remember he was standing there, looking at me, listening to his music, and wringing his hands.
“Finally, he said, ‘Mark, can you pray for me? I’m not a Christian.’
“I knew he was from Egypt and had had a Muslim upbringing. That was what he was holding on to. I told him, ‘Absolutely! And don’t worry about not being a Christian – I am!’
“And he said, ‘Okay. That makes sense.’
“So I prayed for him. And then, over about the next two years, he would occasionally come and ask me to pray for him. Then he started asking me questions. Then he started coming to chapel. “Then, last year, right before the season started, we were in a Bible study when Ahmed came up and said, ‘Pastor Mark, I want to get baptized. I want to give my life to the Lord. But I want to know if my dad’s not going to be in heaven with me. He prays five times a day.’
“It took me a minute or so to respond to him, because I figured my answer could either make or break his decision. At that moment, the Lord told me to tell him, ‘Not yet! But, he has seen the changes that have taken place in your life. And he’s going to get saved, too.’
“Then Ahmed said, ‘But, by giving my life to Jesus, I’m going to lose a lot of relationships, aren’t I?’
“I told him, ‘Yeah. You are.’ What struck me was: I did not tell him he was going to lose a lot of relationships; I feel the Holy Spirit told him that.
“Then he said to me, ‘You know what? I don’t care. Let’s do it. I’m getting baptized.’
“So he gave his heart to the Lord … and got baptized that Sunday!
“For me, it’s been exciting watching him grow in his relationship with Jesus. He even started watching [the Christian streaming series] The Chosen. And he’d say to me, ‘Pastor Mark, I’m in love with your Jesus!’ Here’s this 6-foot-3, 270-pound Egyptian kid saying, ‘I’m in love with your Jesus!’ It is so beautiful, the genuine love he has for Jesus, coming off his Islam religion.
“Then, one day, he told me, ‘I want you to talk to my dad.’
“So I Facetimed with his dad for some 45 minutes. It was 10:30 p.m. our time, which meant it was about 6:30 a.m. in Egypt, where his dad was.
“Then his dad finally told me, ‘I want to know Jesus, too. The mosque is not doing anything for me. Mecca is not doing anything for me.’ And now, even Ahmed’s sister has accepted Jesus.
“It’s amazing to see how God has transformed Ahmed. He’s told me, ‘Pastor Mark, you changed my life!’
“And I’ve said, ‘No. I didn’t change your life. Jesus changed your life. But I’m glad to have been one of those people to have an influence.’”
Today, Ahmed is a defensive end for the Detroit Lions, having achieved his goal of playing in the NFL. Mark pointed out, “Michigan has the largest Muslim population in the country. So now, Ahmed is a newly-converted Christian from Islam who gets to give his testimony in the lion’s den, you might say. I know there will be a lot of pressure on him. But we’ll have a lot of prayers for him.”
But Ahmed isn’t the only one. Last year alone, Mark pointed out, 31 BSU players gave their hearts to the Lord and were baptized.
As the student athletes leave the program and go on to greater heights – both in their careers and spiritual lives – some new students have reportedly transferred to BSU not only for its famous “blue turf” and its academic opportunities, but also for its growing reputation in steadfastly following the Lord. As an example, Boise State is now among a number of universities – and even professional sports teams – throughout the nation that markets T-shirts emblazoned with the school’s logo as part of a cross, accompanied by the uplifting verse from Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Coach Danielson appears in social media ads proudly holding up the blue-and-orange version of the shirt, which is touted as being “Perfect for game days, church, or everyday wear!”
“[New transfers] may have lots of other options at other schools, but they choose Boise State not only for our tradition of winning, but because of our culture of faith. They believe in what they’re seeing in ‘Coach D,’” Mark pointed out. “They see what’s been happening in the lives of our players. And they know our stand is ‘We love Jesus here and we aren’t ashamed of it!’”
He concluded, “In fact, within the football team, I really believe we are going to see [a continued] revival on campus. God is already at work both here in the Treasure Valley and on the Boise State campus in ways that are blowing people’s minds. Whether it’s religious opposition or agnostic opposition, people are really amazed that we are promoting God in sports.
“And I feel it’s going to continue for years to come.”
Steve Bertel is a multi-award-winning professional radio, television, print media, and social media journalist, who retired after a 30-year broadcasting career. Now a busy freelance writer, he released his debut suspense novel “Dolphins of an Unjust Sea”, available on both Amazon and Kindle. Steve and his wife of 43 years live in Meridian, Idaho. He can be reached at stevebertel65@gmail.com.
