sports
NFL’s ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ plan will profane ‘Black national anthem’
By Cheryl Townsend Gilkes — July 8, 2020
(RNS) — African Americans’ most sacred hymn shouldn’t be desecrated to support the NFL’s attempts to apologize for its misunderstanding of players’ protests against racism.
St. Paul would say, ‘Don’t be like Mike’
By Charles C. Camosy — May 21, 2020
(RNS) — I was prepared to be reminded of Michael Jordan’s greatness in ’The Last Dance.’ I was not prepared to be confronted with the cost at which that greatness came.
Muslim runner’s disqualification inspires Ohio bill to end hijab waiver requirements
By Aysha Khan — February 27, 2020
(RNS) — A bill introduced in the Ohio Senate to allow student athletes to wear religious apparel without obtaining waivers was inspired by a Muslim teen who was disqualified from a track meet due to her hijab.
‘Let Noor Run’ initiative aims to end discrimination in sports, starting with hijab bans
By Aysha Khan — January 22, 2020
(RNS) — A new effort by Noor Alexandria Abukaram, the high school junior who was disqualified from a cross-country meet because she ran a 5K while wearing her hijab, reminds the world that her case was no anomaly.
Meet the Catholic sister nominated for an ESPY Award for her wicked curveball
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 25, 2019
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Illinois (RNS) — Last year, Sister Mary Jo Sobieck bounced a baseball off her bicep, threw a perfect curveball and became a viral sensation. Now she’s nominated for an ESPY.
He’s a major-league pitcher — and a plumber — whose faith helps keep him focused
By Bobby Ross Jr. — May 11, 2018
(RNS) — Detroit Tigers ace Michael Fulmer works as a plumber in the offseason and serves as a mentor to adults with developmental disabilities, keeping in touch with his faith and keeping himself focused.
Skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender won’t quit — on God or the Olympics
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 15, 2018
(RNS) — Despite three Olympics without a medal and frustration over the Russian doping scandal, Uhlaender says, 'Quitting is never an option, so why would I quit on God?'
Super Bowl LII: God will be watching
By Richard Mouw — January 30, 2018
(RNS) — When a quarterback throws a long pass and a player down the field makes a spectacular catch, RNS columnist Richard Mouw imagines the Lord saying to himself: 'Nicely done!'
Christian players frustrated by criticism for anthem protest
By Rob Maaddi — November 14, 2017
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Eric Reid and other Christian players who support Colin Kaepernick's social justice movement want believers on the opposite side of the controversial anthem protest to ask themselves a simple but powerful question: What would Jesus do?
Is America losing its religion of football?
By Martin E. Marty — September 11, 2017
Critics and defenders of the sport and business of football, from the grade school level to the National Football League’s market-religious status, agreed that science and media interests have converged to appeal to the public conscience.
Why we need to take the spiritual aspect of sports more seriously
By Edward Hastings — July 11, 2017
(RNS) — Understanding what’s truly important in sports, by getting guidance beyond wins and losses, is what can give sports power beyond the fields of play.
Pope tells NFL legends he backs a ‘different’ kind of football
By Josephine McKenna — June 21, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) But what's a pope to do with a golden football helmet?
International basketball rule change allows players to wear religious headgear
By Alan Baldwin — May 4, 2017
(REUTERS) The new rule overturns a 20-year prohibition.
Faith helped baseball coach Tony Beasley beat cancer
By Bobby Ross Jr. — April 6, 2017
ARLINGTON, Texas (RNS) This week he returned full time to the game he loves.
Saints, American Christianity face off in religious March Madness alternatives
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 17, 2017
(RNS) While many approach filling out their NCAA brackets with something like religious fervor, two long-running online competitions are swapping faith for hoops.
