Football is what we do; it’s not who we are. It is our job; it is our business. We all are very passionate about it; we all want to do very well at it, but [faith] keeps it in perspective,” Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Feb. 1 during Super Bowl media day at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
That theme — “football is a job; it’s not who we are” — was prevalent among the Christian players at media day leading up to Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6 in Arlington.
“My faith has sustained me my entire career,” said Steelers cornerback Anthony Madison, a fifth-year veteran from the University of Alabama.
“I have been relying on God, and He is always good to me, no matter if we have a good year or not. I don’t want the enemy to have the upper hand whatever happens in my life or career.”
Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby said his faith in Christ won’t allow him to be defined by a single kick.
“I think He helps me knowing that kicking is what I do, not who I am. It’s not everything that I am,” he said. “I can escape, knowing that my relationship with Christ is what carries me.”
Crosby said his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, has “a great relationship with the Lord.”
And he’s not the only one who’s noticed. Rookie defensive end C.J. Wilson, whose father is a Pentecostal minister in Mount Olive, N.C., said he really didn’t know what to expect when he showed up for his first NFL season this year. But he has been encouraged by Rodgers’ experience and witness.
“I think it does help when your superstar quarterback is walking with God. I’ve been blessed to be around him and see how God makes all things possible in our lives,” Wilson said.
Though NFL experts and newspaper writers have been impressed by Rodgers leading the Packers to the verge of their first Super Bowl title in more than a decade, he made it clear at media day that he is a follower.
“I just try to follow Jesus’ example, leading by example,” Rodgers said.
For Tony Hills, an offensive lineman for the Steelers, following Jesus is a new thing — he was baptized in the team’s practice facility this season.
But Hills already is establishing himself as a witness.
He said he wears Matthew 10:28 on his left arm as a reminder.
“It says, ‘Fear not those who can destroy the body, but fear those who can destroy the soul and the body.’ That means I fear no man, only God,” Hills said. “In the NFL, you have to have no fear. Only fear God. That is what I’m trying to do every day. … I want to honor God every day.”
Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings said he was determined to let the Super Bowl be his platform for God.
“I just want to let people know what it’s all about. One of the Scriptures I refer to a lot is ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’ and I’m required to have a voice [for God] because I have a stage and a platform,” said Jennings, whose father, Greg Sr., is pastor of Progressive Deliverance Ministries, Kalamazoo, Mich. “No. 1, all glory goes to God. That’s where it starts and that’s where it finishes.” (BP)
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