In the past year we have seen many courageous athletes who have dared to espouse conservative values publicly. In many but not all of these cases they have done so because of their Catholic/Christian beliefs and values.
They have also come under extreme criticism since professional sports organizations are now huge corporations that have become leaders in woke ideology. They are often more interested in pushing ideology on their fans than providing entertainment and/or victories.
As Catholic sports fans we need to realize that when we shell out money to watch games or purchase memorabilia, we are directly supporting these causes.
The National Hockey League has found itself in a tricky situation as it tries to impose its diversity program on the ice. Most teams have chosen at least one game during which they support the LGBTQ community by having all players wear rainbow jerseys in the warm-up or use rainbow tape on their sticks.
Several players have resisted this forced support and refused to wear the jerseys. Ivan Provorov (Philadelphia), James Reimer (San Jose), and Eric Staal and his brother Marc (Florida) have led the way, each of them stating that they love all people and believe everyone should have the same opportunities but they cannot support the homosexual lifestyle.
Five pitchers for the Tampa Bay Rays similarly refused to wear pride jerseys. All received an incredible amount of hate in the mainstream media but also eventually found a fair bit of support.
Provorov’s jersey sales became the top selling NHL jersey soon after he took a stand, showing that many people feel the same way. As Catholics we know we must love the sinner while hating the sin. When Jesus spoke to the woman who committed adultery and escaped being stoned, he never said that her actions were acceptable and should be supported. He said her sins were forgiven, and then he told her to go and sin no more.
Those who attack these athletes for standing behind their beliefs present the pride project as simply supporting LGBTQ individuals’ right to participate, but they are being deceptive or ignorant. Among the campaign’s goals is promotion of a type of behaviour, and the players who refuse to go along are showing more love for LGBTQ individuals by refusing to support behaviour that separates a person further from God.
There have long been professional athletes and coaches who stand up for their beliefs, in particular by promoting the pro-life message, particularly in the NFL and Major League Baseball.
Tony Dungee is a Hall of Fame NFL coach, broadcaster, and Christian, and he is unapologetically pro-life. Predictably he was heavily criticized for taking part in the U.S. March for Life in Washington, D.C., recently and many demanded he be taken off the Super Bowl broadcast team. (He wasn’t, thankfully.)
Other current or past Catholic players who have attended or spoken at the March for Life include former Minnesota Viking Matt Birk as well as Chris Horn, an ex-Kansas City Chief.
Benjamin Watson, Marquis Copeland, and of course Tim Tebow are additional examples of NFL players who have played significant roles in the saving of pre-born babies’ lives. Tebow has even made commercials that appeared on the Super Bowl broadcast, relating how his mother was encouraged to abort her son (who would later win a Heisman Trophy as top college player) due to pregnancy complications. She refused.
How can we support these wonderful athletes? First, we need to find our voice and let them know how much they are appreciated by contacting them with online or written support. Don’t let individuals who take a stand like this stand alone.
Second, let teams know your views and tell them you won’t give them a dollar of your money or a minute of your time backing them unless they change their tune on these life and family issues – issues that are far more vital issues than wins, trades, or free agent signings.
And above all, pray for professional athletes and executives that they will come to embrace those values that Jesus taught us.