Religion in the National Football League
Are You There God?
There are many connections between the National Football League and church. Both take place Sunday and have their own places of worship. The stadium is a modern day cathedral, built to house the game the people love. In NFL history there are saint like figures and demigods. There is a language used by people, being committed to a team, "worshiping" a player, having faith in the teams abilities Fans act together as one body singing, chanting, and performing actions in unison to try and help their team. The weekly order of wearing the clothes, sitting in the same place making sure everything is just right. Being at the game before hand and tailgating with fellow followers. Laughing, and spending time with strangers that share the same hopes and fears as you.
Onion Religious Athletes
God and praying is a big part of the NFL. Players and coaches have a pre game prayer in the locker room. Teams used to have a chaplain who would travel with them. After games in the locker room the victorious team thanks God for helping them win. In the post game interviews players always thank God for giving them the talents the used on the field. Sometimes when players lose they blame God for their misfortune.
Post Game Prayer
The Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the most watched single game sporting event in the world. It marks the end of the season and is the most coveted award in the league. There can only be one champion as the winner of the American Conference faces the winner of the National Conference. All eyes fall upon the two teams and as the opening kick sails through the air there is a throng of flashing cameras and the game begins.
To fans of the sport a game is more than just a game. It has a spiritual connection. Fans follow favourite players and teams, reading about them, learning about them. They feel great pride when their team is victorious and great sorrow after defeat. Some fans spend their entire lives watching the team and hoping for a championship. When favourite players retire or are traded there can be a fear of the future. There are heros and villains, David's and Goliath's, and legendary players that paved the way for future stars. The connection to the game is a bond that can run incredibly deep.
The Super Bowl is a festive and spiritual ritual. Taking place like all games on Sunday. Viewers prepare for something special and an excitement is felt. The size and pageantry of the event. From the opening with the singing of the national anthem with a dramatic perfectly timed fly over and fireworks. To the lavish halftime show designed to entrap spectators. Even the commercial breaks hold the audience. All is set up to keep people entertained, in fact some people only pay attention to the commercials and half time show. The Super Bowl is such an event that it brings people together and creates a new connection with fellow spectators.
The Fans
Super fan
Green Bay Cheese Heads
Lambardi Trophy
Onion Article
Onion Writing Staff. “Athletes in Religion”. The Onion: America’s Finest News Source, January 13, 2012, http://www.theonion.com/articles/athletes-and-religion,27033/ Accessed on October 6, 2013.
Ray Rice Prayer
NFLBlogBlitz. “Ray Rice and Post Game Prayer”, youtube.com, video uploaded on February 1, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhwkYiGW1K8 Accessed on October 5, 2013.
Lambardi Trophy
Jack Kukoda, "I Just Shat out the Lambardi Trophy", Feburary 6, 2006 http://www.kukoda.com/2006/02/06/i-just-shat-out-the-lombardi-trophy/ Accessed November 12, 2013.
Super Fan
Marco Fernandez, "NFL Super Fans: The True Atheltes", August 22, 2012 http://www.thebubble.com/article/nfl-super-fans-the-true-athletes/?id=1345654849#.UoRLPJTcozY Accessed November 12, 2013.
Cheese Heads
Greg Garber, "All that, with Cheese on top", Feburary 3, 2011, http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?page=hotread21/Cheesehead
Accessed November 12, 2013.
