football
Divine intervention? Ivorians say God is on their team’s side after ‘miracles’ at Africa Cup
By CiarÁn Fahey — February 8, 2024
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — At the Chapelle de l’externat Saint Paul for a service hours before the match, many worshippers wore the national team's distinctive orange jersey.
Why faith leaders lost the battle against online sports betting
By Bob Smietana — February 5, 2024
(RNS) — Legalized sports gambling now represents billions of dollars. Faith leaders in the few holdout states know the odds are against stopping it.
Esau McCaulley remembers his past, dreams of the Promised Land in new book
By Bob Smietana — August 24, 2023
(RNS) — In a vulnerable and inspiring new book due out in September, the New Testament scholar and writer recounts the story of his father's fall from grace and his long journey home.
Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin’s televised collapse should change how we watch football
By Sean Samuel O'Neil — January 3, 2023
(RNS) — The game made me examine my own culpability in treating players like disposable commodities.
At 50, ‘Immaculate Reception’ still lifts a region’s spirits
By Peter Smith and Jessie Wardarski — December 19, 2022
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Immaculate Reception crystallized the rise of the Steelers — even as their namesake industry was on the decline, as was the Pittsburgh of compact immigrant neighborhoods with multiple ethnic Catholic parishes.
Qatar offers World Cup visitors an introduction to Islam
By Luis Andres Henao — December 19, 2022
(RNS) — Hundreds of thousands of visitors have come to Qatar during the World Cup. For many it's their first visit to a Muslim country.
Tony and Lauren Dungy: On faith and family, football and race, winning and losing
By Adelle M. Banks — August 8, 2022
(RNS) — 'I think the world looks at us in our times of disappointment much more so than they look at us in our times of triumph,' said Tony Dungy.
Why the Supreme Court’s football decision is a game-changer on school prayer
By Charles J. Russo — June 28, 2022
(The Conversation) — Kennedy v. Bremerton, a case about a public school teacher’s prayer, helps close out a Supreme Court term in which religion was often in the spotlight.
Should religious people watch the Super Bowl?
By Jeffrey Salkin — February 18, 2022
Is boycotting this week's sports events a religious imperative? Maybe.
Stanford’s Latter-day Saints players share life experiences
By Janie Mccauley — November 26, 2021
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — The homesickness and depression began to overwhelm Houston Heimuli about four months into his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Away from his family for the first time, the gesture of a stranger in his congregation made all the difference in keeping him going. A man in […]
Coach Mark Richt in conversation with Maina Mwaura
By Maina Mwaura — October 28, 2021
(RNS) — Former college football coach Mark Richt talks with Maina Mwaura about his Parkinson’s diagnosis; his new book, ‘Make the Call’; and how his faith has shaped his decisions on and off the field.
What Ted Lasso could teach clergy
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 12, 2021
(RNS) — A popular series contains hidden wisdom for those of us who work for God.
Liberty University sued by former diversity officer, NFL player Kelvin Edwards
By Bob Smietana — July 5, 2021
(RNS) — The school said in a statement that President Jerry Prevo had determined that hiring Edwards was ‘among his predecessor’s mistakes.’
For California Muslims: A Ramadan approaching normal
By Joseph Hammond — April 28, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California could not enforce restrictions on at-home indoor religious gatherings. The 5-4 ruling, coming on the eve of Ramadan, has been a boon to California Muslims.
For Latter-day Saints like Andy Reid of Kansas City Chiefs, football and faith go hand in hand
By Bob Smietana — February 5, 2021
(RNS) — More than a century ago, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the game of football were both in crisis. The two found each other — and the relationship transformed the sport and the faith.
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