sports
Nike to launch ‘Pro Hijab’ for Muslim women athletes
By Aysha Khan — March 7, 2017
(RNS) The new product, developed with help from hijab-wearing Olympians in the UAE, will be commercially available in spring 2018.
Ex-Baylor AD Ian McCaw takes new job at Liberty
By RNS staff — November 28, 2016
(USA Today) Liberty president Jerry Falwell Jr. said of McCaw’s experience: 'You look at what Baylor was able to do during his tenure, it fits perfectly with where we see our sports programs going.'
Pope Francis: Keep sports honest
By Josephine McKenna — October 5, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The challenge, the pope said, was to protect sports from 'manipulations and commercial abuse.'
Pope Francis video extols sports as path to peace ahead of Olympics
By Josephine McKenna — August 2, 2016
ROME (RNS) 'Sports make it possible to build a culture of encounter among everyone for a world of peace,' the pontiff says as balls are shown smashing through walls.
The death of soccer’s ‘savior’
By Jerome Socolovsky — March 25, 2016
(RNS) Dutch star Johan Cruyff was a deity in the world of soccer -- but he kept his own beliefs to himself.
Cardinal Dolan: ‘Where’s the Catholic Sandy Koufax?’
By David Gibson — March 10, 2016
NEW YORK (RNS) The city's archbishop is none too happy that Jews and Muslims seem to observe their rituals and holy days while Catholics prefer to play games and hang at Starbucks through Lent and Holy Week.
California first state to ban ‘Redskins’ name for public school teams, mascots
By USA Today — October 12, 2015
The measure goes into effect, Jan. 1, 2017; it affects four schools still using the "R-word." They will be allowed to phase out materials such as uniforms because of cost concerns.
What’s God got to do with football devotion? Plenty
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 22, 2015
(RNS) Millions of Americans interweave sports and spirituality. And many think God has a hand in the outcome. But NFL devotees are slow to forgive a player convicted of domestic violence.
What do Americans pray for? Themselves. And maybe a sports team
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 1, 2014
(RNS) Many are seeking divine intervention on behalf of a favorite sports team or the golden ticket in the lottery, according to a new survey.
At Liberty University, big goals — and big money — for football and other sports
By Dan Wolken — August 21, 2014
(RNS) "Athletics isn't our mission, but it has the potential to shine a light on our mission like nothing else ever can," says school president and chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr.
Fans rely on God, rituals to boost favorite team
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — January 16, 2014
(RNS) Most Americans don't see spiritual forces affecting the sports scores but many will do a little dance, say a little prayer anyway. Especially football fans.
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Video: Baseball and Religion
By Sally Morrow — April 29, 2013
New York University president John Sexton, former law school dean and distinguished legal scholar, has written a most unusual book: “Baseball as a Road to God.”
Ravens or Niners? Christians face a ‘Super’ dilemma
By David Gibson — January 31, 2013
(RNS) A new survey shows that more than a quarter of Americans think God will help decide the winner of Sunday’s Super Bowl. But that doesn’t help the Almighty’s football-loving followers, especially Christians who may need divine wisdom to separate the saints from the sinners in the matchup between the Ravens and the 49ers.
Olympian Gabby Douglas talks faith, forgiveness and matzo ball soup
By Adelle M. Banks — December 10, 2012
(RNS) Gabrielle Douglas, who walked away with the gold at the London Olympics, talks about her prayer life, her love of matzo ball soup and overcoming homesickness to make it to the Olympics. By Adelle M. Banks.
Racing reverend puts faith into 750-horsepower dragster
By David Yonke — November 26, 2012
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (RNS) Until his recent retirement, the Rev. Dale Schaefer spent most Sunday mornings wearing vestments and leading worship services at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Whenever he had a day off, the soft-spoken preacher would slip a helmet over his gray hair, don a racing suit, and climb into the cockpit of a 750-horsepower dragster he built from the ground up. By David Yonke.
