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Tanner McKee’s religion is Christianity within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback was raised in the faith, served a two-year mission in Brazil before his college football career, and has spoken publicly about how his faith shapes his decisions. Interest in Tanner McKee’s religion has grown as he has stepped into a starting role with the Eagles.
Early Life and Background
McKee was born on April 27, 2000, in Irvine, California, and grew up in Corona, where he attended Centennial High School. According to the Deseret News, he was the second of four children. His parents, Jeremie and Layna, met at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and his father had served a mission in New Zealand. That upbringing placed church service at the center of family life.
McKee played baseball, basketball, volleyball and football growing up. As a high school sophomore he was diagnosed with melanoma. Surgeons removed the mole and two lymph nodes, and the Deseret News reports that his family fasted and prayed before the operation. The cancer was caught early and he did not need chemotherapy or radiation. He later told the Philadelphia Inquirer that “leaning on your faith, leaning on your family, leaning on people you love kind of puts life in perspective.”
Tanner McKee Religion and Religious Views
McKee is a practicing Latter-day Saint. Members of the church, sometimes called Mormons, are Christians who follow the Book of Mormon alongside the Bible, and many young men serve a two-year proselytizing mission. McKee decided at age 8 that he would serve one, and at 9 he felt he would go to Brazil, according to the Deseret News.
He signed with Stanford in 2018 after receiving scholarship offers from more than 30 schools, and he told recruiters from the start that he planned to serve a mission first. “I want to show them you don’t have to choose between faith and football,” he said. He served in the Brazil Curitiba South Mission, learned Portuguese, and returned home in 2020 because of the pandemic. He has described the mission as teaching him to connect with people from varied backgrounds.
In a 2023 Deseret News interview he said, “when you put Heavenly Father first, you know that he’ll allow you to reach your potential.” He has also discussed how to keep the Sabbath day holy during the NFL season, including how to take the sacrament while traveling, and has talked with former Latter-day Saint NFL quarterback John Beck about that challenge. His mission also led to his marriage: he and his wife returned home from their missions at the same time, began dating and married in June 2022.
For comparison with other public figures from the same church, see our articles on Cooper Pratt’s religion and Russell Nelson’s religion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What religion is Tanner McKee?
Tanner McKee is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wikipedia and Deseret News both identify him as a Latter-day Saint, and he has spoken about his faith in interviews.
Did Tanner McKee serve a mission?
Yes. Before beginning his career at Stanford, McKee spent two years in Brazil as a full-time missionary for the church. He was assigned to the Brazil Curitiba South Mission, and he speaks Portuguese as a result.
Was Tanner McKee raised Latter-day Saint?
Yes. Deseret News reports that his parents, Jeremie and Layna, met at Brigham Young University and that his father served a mission in New Zealand. McKee says he decided at age 8 that he would serve a mission.
How has faith affected Tanner McKee’s football career?
McKee has said he wanted to show that a person does not have to choose between faith and football. He has also discussed how to keep the Sabbath day holy and take the sacrament while traveling during the NFL season.
Is Tanner McKee married?
Yes. According to Deseret News, McKee and his wife returned from their respective missions at the same time because of COVID-19, began dating, and married in June 2022.
