into the ministry after their games means you’ll rarely
football careers were over. see chaplains leading those
“I played in the NFL for on-the-fi eld huddles, where
TAKING A KNEE NFL team chaplains provide
11 years,” says Jacksonville the players bow their heads
spiritual leadership on and off the fi eld. At left the
Jaguars team chaplain and pray. It’s a sight you’ll see
Indianapolis Colts, led by coach Tony Dungee, pause
Anthony Johnson. before almost every game,
to give thanks after winning the 2007 Super Bowl. “When I started this job in including the upcoming
2003,” he told ESPN maga- Super Bowl.
just died or he has Moreover, they work for orga- zine, “I was one of only three Russell knows fi rsthand
an aunt at home nizations that spend millions former players serving, but what those prayers involve.
sick with cancer, of dollars each year trying to the number has nearly dou-
and he wants to replace them. bled. My focus is biblical, but
visit her but doesn’t Chaplains conduct Bible I make it inclusive. No matter
want to let down studies for players, coaches, what a player’s faith, I’ll talk
his teammates on and front-offi ce staff, and to him. And I’m not afraid to
game day.” chapel services for those who engage with players who are
Russell, now can’t attend church. On game atheist or agnostic. Those can
youth programs day, they’re available for any be great talks, too.”
director for the last-minute prayer needs. On game day, when
BEEN THERE Many chaplains,
Dolphins, has seen The whirlwind career of TV cameras scan the team
including the Jaguars’ Anthony
some of the great- the average NFL player lasts benches, you may see chap-
Johnson, are former players.
est athletes in the just 3.7 years. The chaplains lains hovering on the periph- “Ninety-nine percent of
world knock on a try to prepare players for life ery. They’re there to offer a the time, they have noth-
chaplain’s door and after football. word of encouragement, but ing to do with football,” he
say, “Hey, do you Most chaplains work for they stay in the background says. “They’re praying for
have a few minutes large organizations such as so the players can maintain protection, they’re praying
to talk?” Athletes in Action, which is a sharp focus. One chaplain for guidance, and you’d be
Players seek- part of Campus Crusade for even earns his keep, collating surprised how often they
ing guidance Christ. Others, however, are the pictures his team takes of pray: ‘Lord, use this game,
come from all religious simply local pastors. Several opponents’ formations. no matter what the outcome,
backgrounds, and some are are former players who went That low-key role during to glorify your name.’”
avowed atheists. To the chap-
AP IMAGES
lains, it doesn’t matter. They
CHAPLAINS’ WIVES PLAY A BIG ROLE, TOO
are called to minister to every-
UNNING/
body on the team.
NFL HUSBANDS RELY ON THE LEAGUE’S “That really blessed our marriage while I was
“The players know the
chaplains, and so do their wives. playing,” former NFL linebacker Twan Russell says of
Wives live knowing that the next phone call could the wives’ program.
chaplains have their best
bring instant upheaval: news of an injury, a trade, or NFL families know they may have to pack their
GES / JOHNSON R
interests at heart,” Russell
worse. bags and call the moving van. Getting cut
TY IMA
tells Newsmax. “Wives [often] feel that, wherever or traded to a team halfway across the
“What most people don’t
they go, they’re pushed off to the side,” country eventually happens even to great
realize is these guys are under
says one current chaplain who keeps players, let alone average ones.
T
/NFL/ GET
a low profi le. “The public constantly Russell credits the NFL chaplain
fi re every single day,” says
comes up to the husband for an program with helping his marriage
a former player who avoids
autograph, and a wife can begin to feel survive his days as a gridiron gladiator.
publicity so no one will think a little less valued.” “My wife [Lysandra] was working on
he’s using his relationship
NFL wives raise the children while her individual self while I was working
with them to promote his
their famous husbands are greeted at on my individual self, and we were also
GES / JOHNSON HEADSHO USSELL
every hotel by temptations wrapped
own agenda.
SPIRITUAL SECURITY
attending couples’ classes to work on our
AN R
TY IMA
in Chanel and Dior. Dysfunctional
NFL players endure
Lysandra Russell
marriage,” he says.
GET relationships and divorce are common. “So we were hitting it from different
Y OF TW
crooked agents, investment “One of the greatest needs women
stands by her Twan.
directions and it gave each of us an
TES
shysters, women who don’t
have is security,” a chaplain explains. “Well, you can opportunity to grow personally as well as in our
Y FRENCH/ C
OUR
have their best interests at
forget about that when you marry a football player.” marriage.”
The wives of NFL chaplains often become So behind a great football player there usually
YER/LARR
heart, and family members
chaplains in their own right, hosting Bible studies stands a great woman.
who expect them to solve
for the wives, conducting couples classes, and And behind her stands an NFL chaplain’s wife.
USSELL AND WIFE/
FIELD PRA R their financial problems. ministering to players’ and coaches’ families.
— D.P.
JANUARY 2009 / NEWSMAX 49
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