Well Said Coach Dungy

Indianapolis Coach Tony Dungy after the Colts Super Bowl win yesterday:

"The Lord doesn't always take you in a straight line," Dungy said. "He doesn't always take a direct path. I think he tests you sometimes to see if you're going to keep the faith and hang in there and I think we did. We did as an organization and it's just such a great feeling to get, to win this game.

"It's not the biggest thing in the world, but … it feels great."

I'm still looking for the exact quote but he also said something to the effect that while it is nice to be the first black coach to win the Super Bowl, the best part of he and Bear's Coach Lovie Smith's (who is also black) participation was that it showed that two Christian guys who do things the right way can be successful.

Way to go Coach!

Catholics in Pro Football

For Catholic pro-football players, faith more than a pre-game prayer
By Gina Mazza Hillier, Michael C. Gabriele and Dave Hrbacek
9/15/2006

Catholic News Service
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (CNS) – Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu is not an NFL superstar who happens to be a man of faith. Rather, in his heart, he is simply "a Christian with a passion for Jesus."

Football, Polamalu said, "gives me confirmation of how I can carry out my faith. It's my way to glorify God."

I always find it uplifting to read about how others live their faith. Even in a 'violent' sport like football it is possible to be propelled by one's love for Jesus rather than a desire to hurt your opponents.

"Football, in general, has it backwards," he [Polamalu] said. "They think this inner anger, this hatred, is what drives football and becomes the physical aspect of the game. But love overcomes all things. My love to glorify God through my playing will far outweigh anybody's hate for me."