Seahawks GM John Schneider tosses mini Jesus at Super Bowl parade: Meaning & trend
If you've seen the viral clip from the Seattle Seahawks' 2026 Super Bowl parade where GM John Schneider tossed a mini Jesus figure into the crowd — and you're wondering what it means — you're in the right place!
During the Super Bowl parade to celebrate their victory, Schneider surprised fans by throwing small plastic Jesus figurines from his float.
These weren't just any toys. They were "Jesus loves you" figures, similar to the mini Jesus toys going viral nationwide.
A video of Schneider throwing the mini Jesus figures into the parade crowd has been watched millions of times online — sparking curiosity about the tiny toys and the viral challenge that’s ramping up as we approach Easter this spring.
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider, was tossing mini Jesus figures, which said “Jesus Loves You”, during the team’s Super Bowl parade pic.twitter.com/b27O2hkw3n
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) February 12, 2026
Who is Seahawks GM John Schneider, and why did he toss mini Jesus?
John Schneider, the beloved general manager of the Seahawks, is known for his leadership on and off the field.
It wasn’t just a stunt, either. Schneider has been open about his faith as a devout Catholic.
Before the Super Bowl, Schnedier told KCCR radio, “With God, anything is possible.”
Schneider handed out little Jesus figures to fans before football games, not just at the Super Bowl parade, he told the radio station.
He has a statue of Jesus on his desk that his mom gave him. It says: “With God, anything is possible.”
Schneider also has a Bible verse on his desk: Mathew 10:27, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
“It’s really important to me, and I want to help,” he told the station. “You have a platform where hopefully young adults and kids look at me and our like, ‘Wow, I can do that someday, with prayer and hard work.'”
Schneider and several teammates lost their fathers, and he’s gotten emotional when he’s spoken about angels watching over them this season.
“It’s real,” Schneider said at the Super Bowl trophy presentation ceremony.
“Angels. Faith. Watching over us,” he continued. “I know my father’s been watching over us the whole time. We’ve only lost one game since my father passed.”
John Schneider at the trophy presentation ceremony talked about how he, Ernest Jones, Jake Bobo, Drew Lock, and Charles Cross lost their fathers this year. Tyron Broden also lost two brothers. Said the Seahawks had plenty of angels watching over them, including Paul Allen. pic.twitter.com/osaThG0YP3
— The Seahawks Wire (@TheSeahawksWire) February 12, 2026
What does the Seahawks mini Jesus toss mean?
At its core, tossing mini Jesus into the parade is an expression of John Schneider’s faith.
Faith in the spotlight: Schneider has been open about sharing his faith publicly, including in a fun way like tossing tiny Jesus figures into a Super Bowl celebration crowd.
Community connection: Fans who caught the “Jesus loves you” posted online about how they were personally touched, and how it sparked conversations about faith.
Viral evangelism: Like hiding mini Jesus in stores or parks, throwing them to parade-goers amplifies the toy’s message: “Jesus loves you!”
➡️ What’s the motivation? Read our article about why Christians are placing mini Jesus everywhere.
How the Superbowl parade mini Jesus toss fits into the bigger trend?
The mini Jesus challenge started small and continues to grow, spreading across the nation and other countries.
Christians purchase tiny Jesus toys in bulk and “hide” them in plain sight in public places, such as retail store shelves or gas station pumps. They’re gentle, quiet reminders of God's love.
Schneider's parade toss is a high-profile example — and I expect we’ll see more mini Jesus around as more people join in!
The goal? To share God’s hope and love in a fun and encouraging way.
➡️ Curious about the origins? Check out our full explanation of the mini Jesus hiding trend. Or, if you're ready to participate, learn how to join the mini Jesus challenge with this step-by-step guide.
Christian resources
Read more about the mini Jesus hiding challenge:
➡️ What is the viral mini Jesus hiding trend?
➡️ Why are Christians hiding mini Jesus everywhere?
➡️ How to participate in the Jesus viral challenge
Discover more faith & life stories:
➡️ Reflection on Abraham Lincoln’s quote, “God on our side.”
➡️ Are the Sedona Vortexes real? A Christian perspective
➡️ ‘Wake Up Dead Man:’ Christian faith vs. religious wolves
➡️ How to do a daily devotion with a busy schedule
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Mackenzie Ryan Walters is the author of “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story,” which shares Christian testimonies and stories, as well as curated lists about Christian books, gifts, and more. A national award-winning former journalist who’s covered a presidential campaign, been inside NASA, and reported on education and schools, Mackenzie now edits the Faith Storytellers website and is passionate about lifting up and sharing the story God is writing in the world.