JJ Niekro pitched in the Atlanta Braves organization for five years and retired in August of 2025. He is the son of Houston Astros legend Joe Niekro and nephew of MLB Hall of Famer Phil Niekro. Through a career in professional baseball, JJ experienced the need for Christ to be proclaimed in the culture of athletics. JJ is passionate about the integration of faith and sports, especially in a deeper religious and philosophical sense that he feels is unaddressed in athletics. JJ is very involved with Catholic Athletes for Christ and has spoken across the country since his retirement.