NCAA barred LSU baseball player from using Kanye's 'God Is' as walkup song

The National Collegiate Athletics Association has caused a stir on social media after it declined to play Kanye West's "God Is" as the preferred walk-up song of Louisiana State University outfielder Derek Curiel during the College World Series.

In a post on X Tuesday, sports commentator Ben McDonald shared a screenshot of Curiel answering "yes sadly" when asked if the NCAA refused to play his walk-up song of choice during the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska because it was a "Christian song."

McDonald, an LSU graduate and former major league pitcher who provides color commentary for Baltimore Orioles games, noted that the organization "allowed it all year" and during "Regional/Super Regional play."

Continued below.

RileyG said:

Interesting. I thought Kanye left Christianity. Then again, I don’t listen to much of his music, anyway.

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He did. It’s an old song from 2019 I believe. It was Derek Curiel that wanted to use the song as his walk up song. But the NCAA would not allow it.

Here are the lyrics:

God is my light in darkness, oh
God, God is, He
He is my all and all (And I'll never turn back)
God is
Everything that has breath, praise the Lord
Worship Christ with the best of your portions
I know I won't forget all He's done
He's the strength in this race that I run
Every time I look up, I see God's faithfulness
And it shows just how much He is miraculous
I can't keep it to myself, I can't sit here and just be still
Everybody, I will tell to the whole world, it's Him
King of Kings, Lord of Lords
All the things He has in store
From the rich to the poor
All are welcome through the door
You won't ever be the same
When you call on Jesus' name
Listen to the words I'm saying
Jesus saved me, now I'm sane
And I know, I know God is the force that picked me up
I know Christ is the fountain that filled my cup
I know God is alive, yeah
He has opened up my vision giving me a revelation
This ain't 'bout a damn religion
Jesus brought a revolution
All the captives are forgiven
Time to break down all the prisons
Every man, every woman
There is freedom from addiction
Jesus, You have my soul
Sunday Service on a roll
All my idols, let 'em go
All the demons, let 'em know
This a mission, not a show
This is my eternal soul
This my kids, this the crib
This my wife, this my life
This my God-given right
Thank you, Jesus won the fight
That's what God is
That's what God is
That's what God is