JJ Niekro

Hey everyone, my name is JJ Niekro and I’m currently a player in the Atlanta Braves organization. My story revolves around one thing: the indescribable joy of being a Catholic through every aspect of life.

 I was raised a cradle Catholic, but when was I eight years old I lost my dad, uncle, and grandfather within 100 days of each other. I was stripped of the best father figures in my life and lost the ability to learn the art of authentic masculinity. At eight years old I couldn’t understand why things like this happen, but I realized one thing: we all die.

 It seems like a sorrowful message, but I was blessed with the ability to see the shortness of this life and how to live every day in the fullness of the Catholic faith.

 I then attended Jesuit High School in Tampa, FL where my faith took the next step. The Jesuits motto is: “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” which from Latin means “For the greater glory of God.” If every decision we make is for the greater glory of God, then we are living our lives to the fullness of His will.

 Jesuit really influenced me through this and the ideas of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. I also learned the  beauty of the liturgy and how to fall in love with the sacramental life of the Church.

 After Jesuit, I attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL and got to meet Father Blake Britton who has really inspired me to explore the splendor of Catholicism, in particular the philosophy of the early Church Fathers and the liturgy throughout Church history. Catholicism really permeates all of history and I had never connected the dots like that before.

 Finally, I signed with the Atlanta Braves in the Summer of 2021 to continue my dream of being a Major League Baseball player. Obviously sports and faith have a ton of parallels, but my favorite is a saying that one of my coaches in college told me. He said that 6/7 nights a week you should fall asleep instantly from how hard you worked that day. I carried this mindset to the faith and ultimately when I die, I just want to be able say I gave everything for the greater glory of God when my head hits the pillow for the final time.

I’m super excited to share more about my faith journey on IG Live with you guys soon!