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Sports

Loyola’s Sister Jean captured hearts during March Madness. Now she’s written a book.

By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 21, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — At 103, Chicago’s beloved Catholic sister, best known simply as ‘Sister Jean,’ has added publishing a memoir to her list of achievements.
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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.

Sujood, Morocco in the World Cup and what we still don’t know about Muslims

By Dilshad Ali — December 17, 2022
(RNS) — The Morocco football team has exhibited a joyous expression of Muslimness in front of a world audience on a global sporting stage.

Supreme Court backs coach in praying on field after games

By Jessica Gresko — June 27, 2022
WASHINGTON (AP) — The case forced the justices to wrestle with how to balance the religious and free speech rights of teachers and coaches with the rights of students not to feel pressured into participating in religious practices.

NBA’s Biyombo brings Congo to the pope after trip canceled

By Associated Press — June 22, 2022
VATICAN CITY (AP) — 6-foot-9 Biyombo towered over the Argentine pope, even as he stood for photos.

Baseball, like religion, can teach us something about enchantment

By Jacob Lupfer — April 6, 2022
(RNS) — As MLB’s delayed season begins, we're reminded that truth, beauty and enchantment matter.

Yeshiva University basketball team ends unforgettable era

By Luis Andres Henao and Jessie Wardarski — March 10, 2022
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — In the locker room after the game, some players — and even their usually stoic coach — choked back tears.

‘If you build it they will come’ no longer works for baseball — or organized religion

By Bob Smietana — March 4, 2022
(RNS) — Faced with declining audiences and a troubled product, baseball — like organized religion — has turned on itself.

It’s beyond time to remove bans on religious attire from sports uniforms

By Simran Jeet Singh — March 4, 2022
(RNS) — Kids shouldn't have to choose between love of sport and love of religion.

Rams or Bengals? The annual divining of the Super Bowl victor through sacred texts.

By Joshua Hammerman — February 11, 2022
(RNS) — My record is impeccable.

Five stories NBC probably won’t cover at the Beijing Olympics

By Ashwin Verghese — February 4, 2022
(RNS) — NBC owes the victims of China’s oppression equal time.

France moves closer to banning veils in sports competitions

By Samuel Petrequin — January 20, 2022
(AP) — The French soccer federation already bans women from wearing headscarves in official matches, as well as at competitions it organizes.
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