Covington priest cries foul over Saints no-call; plans special services to help fans deal

From Louisiana-

Like most Saints fans, The Rev. Bill Miller was a bit irate after referees blew an obvious pass interference call in Sunday’s (Jan. 20) NFC Championship game that essentially robbed the New Orleans Saints of a trip to the Super Bowl in Atlanta.

Rather than simply seething in anger, the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Covington has decided to help the community re-channel its grief and anguish by hosting “Black and Gold and Yellow Flag Sunday” during the church’s four services on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3.

"Folks will be encouraged to wear black and gold," Miller said. "And we will distribute yellow penalty flags during the service but will turn them into prayer flags on which they can write an injustice or a challenge they wish to change, or work toward changing."

At the conclusion of the service, the congregation will sashay to "When the Saints Go Marchin' In" and hang the symbolic yellow flags on prayer lines set up outside the church.

More here-

https://www.nola.com/news/2019/01/covington-priest-cries-foul-over-saints-no-call-plans-special-services-to-help-fans-deal.html

Covington priest offers perfect message for Super Bowl weekend

From New Orleans-

When the Rev. Bill Miller, pastor of Christ Episcopal Church in Covington, began his sermon last Sunday, it was like being transported back in time: "Jan. 14, 2018, is a day that shall live in infamy," he intoned. "Especially if you love the New Orleans Saints."

He proceeded slowly, emphasizing every bit of the agony we all were feeling.

"Most of us may try to forget but will likely always remember that moment at the very end of the playoff game two weeks ago, after God's team -- the New Orleans Saints -- made another miraculous comeback against the Minnesota Vikings in their home stadium. A moment when victory was ours and was all but assured. A Saints Super Bowl was in sight when the mistake was made -- an inconceivable miscalculation of consequential impact."

When a young 21-year-old safety by the name of Marcus Williams missed an easy tackle, even taking out the only other Saints defender who might have made a play on Stefon Diggs after he somehow caught a desperation pass from Case Keenum as time on the clock expired and he ran untouched for a 61-yard, game-ending, season-ending, heart-wrenching score, and in an instant absolute euphoria turned to utter devastation.

More here-

http://www.nola.com/living/index.ssf/2018/02/covington_priest_offers_perfec.html#incart_m-rpt-2

Genuflection on the gridiron: protest in the liturgy

From Pittsburgh-

Genuflection has its origins not in the medieval church but in the medieval court. Bending on one knee expressed obeisance to the monarch. The church, ever given to eclecticism, was quick to adopt the practice, reasoning that what was good for the king was good for the King of Heaven. Since then, genuflection has been a standard aerobic exercise in liturgical churches.

I grew up in a high-church Episcopal parish in New York, where we were taught by our acolyte master and by the clergy in confirmation class that genuflection is an act of reverence by which we displayed bodily our theological belief in the Real Presence. Accordingly, we genuflected upon entering and leaving our pews, acknowledging the Blessed Sacrament reserved at the high altar. Genuflection also has been a sign of reverence for the mystery of the Incarnation. Accordingly, the congregation “took the knee” at the words of the Creed “and became incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.”

But the topic here is what we might dub “genuflection on the gridiron.” For we must recognize that football has a sacred liturgy of its own, complete with rites, rubrics, colorful vestments, participants playing various roles, masters of ceremonies, musicians and a choir and congregation that intone prescribed chants.

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2017/11/12/Genuflection-on-the-gridiron-protest-in-the-liturgy-The-Rev-Harold-T-Lewis/stories/201711300007

Why the Pats lost: A pastoral response

From Boston-

As a clergyman, I am always sensitive to the pastoral needs of my flock. As a priest in New England, I realize that many in my congregation are grieving the Patriots loss to the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Yet as a Baltimore Ravens fan, I don’t really care about their feelings when it comes to football. So I’m torn in my pastoral duties. Since next week is the Annual Meeting and it’s best to keep the peace, I’ll err on the side of pastoral concern.

In times such as these, many are left wondering why? Why did my team lose? Why did God do this to the Patriots? Is God mad at me? To ease some of the confusion, I thought I’d share some light on why the Patriots lost to the Broncos. Understanding why is an intellectual response and so Patriots fans will still need time to grieve. I’m sensitive to that and I will walk with them during this painful time.

Here are the reasons the Patriots lost:

God’s wrath for cutting Tim Tebow after the preseason. (Of course he was also cut by the Broncos when they signed Peyton Manning but whatever. God’s complicated).

God prefers Anglicans (aka Redcoats) to Patriots (aka religious dissenters).

Read more:

http://www.doverpost.com/article/20140120/BLOGS/301209998/-1/News#ixzz2qwj5aw1k

61 religious leaders attack Redskins name in letter

From Minnesota-

A letter castigating the team name of the Washington pro football club and signed by 61 religious leaders mostly from the Washington region is scheduled to be sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and team owner Daniel Snyder on Thursday, according to the minister who is the driving force behind it.

The letter, dated Dec. 5, casts the roiling national controversy over the team name as a moral issue and includes signatures of leaders from a range of faith communities including Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, United Church of Christ, AME, Presbyterian, Unitarian, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim.

"The derogatory term 'redskin' offends many Native Americans and others in this country," the letter says. "This word, defined in the dictionary as a slur, should not be publicly marketed and celebrated in America, which is built on the ideals of respect and inclusion."

More here-

http://www.sctimes.com/usatoday/article/3872663&usatref=sportsmod

The Theology of Ray Lewis

From Huffington-

Whenever anyone asks me whether God has a hand in the outcome of sporting events, I have a ready answer. I point to the three little league baseball seasons I coached with a fellow Episcopal priest: We never had a winning season. Granted we weren't exactly down on our knees in the dugout or teaching our players the proper way to cross themselves in the batter's box. But you'd think God would have at least sent one power hitter our way or blessed us with an outfielder who could actually track fly balls.

There's been a lot of talk about God's role in sports the past few weeks. Sports Illustrated even ran a cover story with the headline "Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl?" featuring a picture of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis emerging from a body of water with his hands clasped in prayer.

Now, for the sake of full disclosure, I should tell you I'm originally from Baltimore. I am a passionate, life-long Orioles fan and a huge Ravens fan. As I write this the morning after the Super Bowl, I'm reveling in last night's events while drinking coffee at my favorite coffee shop while wearing my Ray Lewis jersey.

It's no secret Lewis is a polarizing figure: As a young man he was put on trial in connection with a double murder following Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta. He was cleared but charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice. For some, that connection, regardless of the fuzzy circumstances and outcome of the trial, has forever vilified Lewis. Like most Baltimoreans, I believe he's done an admirable job of turning his life around and have seen first-hand the impact he's had in that city through charity work and inspiring a generation of underprivileged young boys and girls. I also love his passion for the game of football, admire his leadership skills and feel privileged to have seen the best linebacker of his era play both live and on television.

More here-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-tim-schenck/the-theology-of-ray-lewis_b_2617107.html

Can't Repeat: The 1899 Sewanee Iron Men

From Bleacher Report-

The University of the South can be found in Sewanee, Tennessee. It's an Episcopal Private School that made it's place in the History of College Football in the year of 1899.

It's easy to say that what happened in the early days of College Football didn't count. It's especially easy for fans of big name schools such as Notre Dame, USC and the numerous SEC fans that surround me. Why?

Sewanee created its advantages; they were one of the first schools to start a football program in the South. Another one was that they held school through out the year including the summer, which gave them a long winter break and more practice time than any other school they faced.

You also have to remember that there was no such thing as the NCAA, no passing plays and schools winning strategies even included hiring players. So you had at times 25, 28 even 30 year old men playing for the old alma mater.

There wasn't a crystal ball, no conferences, divisions or a future in the NFL. There was only the game as it existed and that was all the fans needed.

The Sewanee Tigers went 12-0-0, produced a College Football Hall of Famer HB Henry G. Seibels and outscored their opponents 322 to 10. Those 10 points were scored by a John Heisman coached team at Auburn.

More here-

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/360042-cant-repeat-the-1899-sewanee-iron-men

They're the Lords of the Rings

There's a bit of a celebration going on here today !

It's one for the other thumb.

Santonio Holmes made an acrobatic touchdown catch with 35 seconds remaining in a heart-stopping comeback, allowing the Steelers to become the first team to win six Super Bowls. It earned Holmes a ring and the trophy as the game's MVP.

"It's going down in history," Holmes said after his catch gave the Steelers a dramatic 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. "All I did was extend my arms and use my toes."

The Steelers, with the league's No. 1 defense, had blown a 13-point fourth-quarter lead as Larry Fitzgerald caught two touchdown passes, giving him a record seven touchdown catches in the postseason.

That lead was built on James Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown on the last play of the first half, which became the longest play in Super Bowl history.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09033/946343-66.stm

A Super Bowl of Faith as Both Steelers and Cardinal Owners Are Deeply Committed Christians

Brian Rooney commented on Art Rooney Sr., the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers saying: "My grandfather, Art Rooney, went to church service everyday - no matter where he was or how important any signal game may be. He was always interacting with the players, coaches, and everyone else in the organization. His faith was infectious and still sets the tone for the team today. Before every game we have a family Mass. In fact, when I get to Tampa on Saturday, the first place I will be is the Saturday family Mass before the big game."

Rooney went on to say, "I remember as a young boy, after every game - no matter how big - the team would come into the locker room, take a knee, and recite the Lord's Prayer. Only after the prayer would Coach Chuck Noll, another man of great Christian faith, say his post game comments.

“Tony Dungy was a Steelers player and assistant coach then, and Noll's quiet faith and leadership style shaped Coach Dungy's. It's no accident that Coach Mike Tomlin, a protégé of Coach Dungy's, leads the team in line with how Noll and Dungy led. This has always been the Steelers' way, the Rooney way, which is really founded upon the rock of our Christian faith. No matter who wins the game on Sunday, the Bidwells, Rooneys, and many players on both sides will give thanks to God after, and this says more about our country then the game itself."

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09013014.html

From Super Bowl XL

Orthodox glad to claim Polamalu as one of their own

From this morning's Post-Gazette-

Most NFL fans are familiar with the sight of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu crossing himself during games, but one subset of fans is gleefully aware that he crosses himself from right to left, rather than left to right.

"Each time there is an important play, he makes his cross the Orthodox way. Nobody else does this, and it is a beautiful thing," said Metropolitan Maximos, of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, who officiated at the wedding of Troy and Theodora Polamalu four years ago.

Mr. Polamalu, an ethnic Samoan, long has had a strong Christian faith, but was non-denominational until he joined his wife's Greek Orthodox church. The metropolitan is quick to note that Orthodox enthusiasm for Mr. Polamalu isn't intended to denigrate any other branch of Christianity.

"I'm very proud of him. But, to be honest, I don't care if his background is Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox or any of the Protestant communities, as long as the guy is a faithful person. And Polamalu is that, and his wife is as well," he said.

When football doesn't allow the Polamalus to worship together on Sundays, they make weekday visits to the Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Saxonburg. Their infant son was baptized there. But the nuns won't be watching him play in the Super Bowl, Metropolitan Maximos said, because they don't watch anything on television that isn't religious.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09032/945810-66.stm

Celebration in the "Burgh"

The Steelers hadn't been able to celebrate an AFC championship at home in 13 years, and a record crowd at Heinz Field stayed into the night to savor the 23-14 victory against the Baltimore Ravens that punched the team's ticket to the Super Bowl for a seventh time.

"This is for you," owner Dan Rooney said to the fans at a mid-field ceremony punctuated by Zambelli fireworks lighting up the wintry sky last night.

The Lamar Hunt Trophy presented to the AFC champions was handed over by Rod Woodson, who with Dermontti Dawson served as honorary co-captains for the game.

Had it not been for a super play by super safety Troy Polamalu, the outcome could have been an Edgar Allan Poe-like horror.

With the Steelers nursing a two-point lead in a game that was way too close for comfort, Polamalu intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown with 4 minutes, 24 seconds remaining. It was the final score against the rival Ravens, who lost three times to the Steelers this season.

"That's Troy," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who dedicated the victory to the troops serving overseas. "He comes out of nowhere. I was just so happy that he scored."


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09019/942844-66.stm