John Harbaugh began a new chapter in his coaching career with a victory—and a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ.

The New York Giants’ new head coach earned his first win with the franchise Monday night as his team defeated the favored Dallas Cowboys 28-20. New York took a 14-7 advantage into halftime before extending its lead to 28-14 in the fourth quarter. The victory marked a memorable start for Harbaugh after his 18-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens ended during the offseason.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Harbaugh praised his players and the entire Giants organization. He then explained why humility and gratitude are values he wants his team to embrace.

“We talk to our guys about being humble and about giving credit where credit is due,” Harbaugh said.

For the veteran coach, that means acknowledging Jesus Christ.

“Faith is a big component of what we do, however guys define that—and for me, it’s our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our faith in our Creator,” he said.

Harbaugh also emphasized that he wanted to make sure his “heart’s in the right place” before discussing the game. He said the unselfish attitude reflected in that moment was also evident in the way his players competed, calling the win a “team effort.”

His comments were consistent with a faith he has discussed throughout his career. Harbaugh won a Super Bowl during his time in Baltimore and finished his Ravens tenure with a 13-11 postseason record. In a 2023 appearance on the Sports Spectrum Podcast, he pointed to the apostles’ willingness to suffer and die rather than deny their testimony about Christ’s resurrection.

“They all held firm to saying that this Man was crucified and rose from the dead, and they saw it,” Harbaugh said. “That is strong evidence to me. … You’ve got to look into it. You’ve got to study it.”

Harbaugh has also said that victories or championships do not ultimately measure genuine success. Instead, he believes it comes from discovering God’s purpose and living in fellowship with Him.

“Being connected and filled with the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit—that is success,” he said. “That is the ultimate success.”

His first Giants win gave fans plenty to celebrate, but Harbaugh used the spotlight to point beyond football—giving the glory to the One he considers the source of every success.