Life as a Christian Woman

Reggie White leading prayer after the 1997 Super Bowl

As I have stated before, I am a huge football fan. Any sport will do, but football is my special passion.

Many of you who have attended games may have noticed players from both teams gathering at the center of the field after the game, bowing their heads and praying. The post-game prayer, uniting two teams that have been bashing each other for three hours, is a kind of “reality check” to the game. When I am most upset about a loss in a big game… and I can get really upset… I try to remember to look out at the field and see the players that come together, and that puts my head back in the real world.

As I was watching games today on TV, and saw players huddle up in prayer afterwards (it isn’t mandatory, only the players that want to kneel at the 50 yard line), I wanted to know more about how this tradition started.

It began in 1990 when eight members of the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers knelt to thank God after a game. Pat Richie, the San Francisco 49ers chaplain, came up with the idea. His goal was to have the players acknowledge themselves before God, to come together as one after the game.

These informal gatherings for postgame prayers have no official name, leader, or roster. Yet over the years, their influence has spread internationally.

Brent Jones, a member of the 49ers and one of the original “prayers” saw players begin Bible study and talk more openly about their faith. Suddenly, it was ok to be open and be a Christian in the locker room.

Imagine that!

Now, lest you think that it was all rose petals for these men, be assured it wasn’t. They were taken to task by national magazines (former Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly called it “offensive”). The NFL decided to try to force the 1981 Anti-Fraternization Rule (players from opposing teams can’t “fraternize” on the field of play). Christian players felt targeted when the NFL said it would fine team owners $25,000 for each post-game prayer. But it never happened.

Then, when the Green Bay Packers made the Super Bowl in 1997, the issue resurfaced. The late Reggie White, an All-Pro defensive end with the Packers, was a preacher and outspoken Christian. The NFL passed the word down that it didn’t want the post-game prayer to happen, it would interfere with the post-game awards.

Reggie’s answer? “Reggie said the NFL couldn’t dictate to him what he did after a game or who he prayed with,” Miami Herald pro football writer Armando Salguero reported. “It became a non-issue.”

Reggie White was a friend of mine. I am proud to say that I knew him, and I know he lived his faith. I chuckle to myself at thought of anyone trying to stop that 6′5″, 300 lb. athlete from praying.

The post-game prayer started in the NFL has moved into the college and high school ranks. It’s everywhere. The next time you go to a game, look toward midfield after the final buzzer. And say a little prayer in the stands.