Sports
Slideshow: Faith shines through at the Olympics
By Jessi Dodge — August 3, 2021
(RNS) — The Olympic athletes in Tokyo represent many faiths. The religious variety is sometimes stated and visible, and sometimes not. Here are a few of the images from the Games where we spotted the intersection of religion and sports.
New initiative seeks to get Muslims to the golf course
By Joseph Hammond — August 2, 2021
(RNS) — For Amir Malik, there's a close tie between the values of golf — especially honesty and integrity — and his faith.
At Tokyo Olympics, even faith events look different as COVID spikes. Here’s how.
By Emily McFarlan Miller and Adelle M. Banks — July 23, 2021
(RNS) — Religious services for residents of the Olympic Village will be provided virtually due to the pandemic, but Christian evangelistic organizations aren’t letting COVID-19 dampen their efforts at reaching the Japanese.
Former NBA player Stan McKenzie, husband of first woman AME Church bishop, dead at 76
By Adelle M. Banks — July 21, 2021
(RNS) — Less than two weeks before, his wife — Bishop Vashti McKenzie — thanked her spouse as she made farewell remarks at the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s General Conference.
Tokyo archbishop bans Olympians from Catholic churches amid surge in COVID-19 cases
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 16, 2021
(RNS) — Parishes in the Tokyo archdiocese have canceled all the plans they had made to 'address the spiritual needs of the many people who would come to Japan' for the upcoming Summer Olympics.
Ben Zobrist, World Series hero for the Cubs, sues former pastor for alleged affair with his wife
By Bob Smietana — June 21, 2021
(RNS) — The former major leaguer, who co-authored a book on faith and family with his wife, says his former pastor betrayed his trust and cost him millions.
Kyrie Irving’s recent conversion puts a spotlight on athletes observing Ramadan
By Joseph Hammond — May 6, 2021
(RNS) — Both amateur and professional athletes across the country must figure out how to continue competing well as they fast during the month of Ramadan.
New Topps cards focus on Muhammad Ali’s faith
By Joseph Hammond — February 23, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Converts to Islam’ tells the impact of his decision on Ali’s life and on the world.
Robert Saleh is the NFL’s first Muslim head coach
By Joseph Hammond — February 5, 2021
(RNS) — For Saleh, who went to a majority-Muslim public high school in Dearborn, Michigan, the Islamic faith and American football have always had a unique synergy.
Maradona’s death boosts ‘Hand of God’ goal’s author to sainted status
By Eduardo Campos Lima — November 27, 2020
(RNS) — At its extreme, veneration of the soccer star gave birth to the Maradonian Church, a group of fans who pay homage to him with parody rituals.
NBA players hailed by pope at Vatican for demanding justice
By Tim Reynolds — November 24, 2020
(AP) — 'The pope had important words for us: We need to continue to be united, to operate as brothers, like a team, and to set an example for the younger generations,' said one of the players who visited Francis.
Liberty University football team realizes Falwell’s winning vision, but at what cost?
By Jonathan Merritt — November 20, 2020
(RNS) — Liberty is one of three teams in the running for the NCAA's top tier playoffs.
Nike, don’t make me choose between Liverpool FC and the Uighurs
By Jalal Baig — September 2, 2020
(RNS) — There is a saying, or hadith, from the Prophet Muhammad on the tiered approaches we are obligated to take when confronted with evil. Identifying Liverpool’s malfeasance is only a start.
How the coronavirus could change America’s religion of sports
By Paul Putz — March 25, 2020
For many Americans, sports is a religion. Will the coronavirus change that?
A Muslim women’s netball team brings competition — and a sense of inclusion
By Aysha Khan — January 30, 2020
LONDON (RNS) — Two years ago, Muslim students founded a netball club for women in their university’s Islamic society. Since then, the team has grown to an interuniversity club, with Muslims at over a dozen U.K. institutions involved.
