Catholics have always had a healthy relationship with sporting events and since the 19th century even popes have been supportive and outspoken on the benefit of sporting to people. (For an interesting article on the matter, click here.)
Pope Francis also recently said,
“Sport is a universal language that brings together peoples, and can help persons meet and overcome conflicts…Therefore, I encourage you to live the dimension of sports as the gymnasium of virtue in the full development of individuals and communities.”
With the Olympics currently underway, I thought it would be interesting to see how many “Cath-letes” there were that competed or are competing in American sports, specifically. Athletes, whether Olympians or not, because of their prominence in the world of sports, can have a knockdown effect on those who watch them and hold them in high esteem. As Catholics in the public profile, they have a responsibility to live out their faith and all that it entails. Some are/were not as stellar as others in that practice, but we must always remember, they are sinners too, just like the rest of us.
Matt Birk
Retired NFL player for the Baltimore Ravens; NFL champion; outspoken of his Catholicism.
Tom Coughlin
Former head coach of the NY Giants; 2x NFL champion.
Jack Del Rio
Head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
Philip Rivers
QB of the San Diego Chargers.
Brett Favre
Former NFL QB (most notably for the Green Bay Packers); NFL champion; 2x NFL MVP; Wrangler Jean spokesman.
Herman Edwards
Former NFL player; current football analyst on ESPN; convert.
Luke Kuechly
Linebacker for the Carolina Panthers; 2015 NFC champion.
Vince Lombardi
Greatest coach in NFL history; considered the priesthood; the Super Bowl trophy is named in honor of him and his great contribution to football in America. Led Packers to greatness in the 1960s.
Don Shula
Former NFL coach of the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Colts; 3x NFL champion.
Joe DiMaggio
One of the greatest MLB players from 1936-1951.
Tommy Lasorda
MLB Hall of Famer; former player.
Jason Kipnis
2nd baseman for the Cleveland Indians
Grant Desme
Former minor-leaguer who became a Norbertine and is now Fr. Matthew Desme.
David Eckstein
Former player with the St. Louis Cardinals; featured in Champions of Faith Catholic documentary film.
Stan “The Man” Musial
Former player and great for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mike Piazza
Former MLB player; also featured in Champions of Faith documentary.
Darrell Miller
Former catcher/outfielder; after conversion became outspoken in his defense of Catholicism; even attended a Vatican conference.
Jeff Suppan
Former MLB player; appeared in Champions of Faith.
Kobe Bryant
Retired NBA player for the Lakers; 5x NBA champion; speaks fluent Italian; credits his Catholic faith for saving his marriage and for getting him and his wife through a tough period in their lives.
Kerry Kittles
Former basketball player; has served as Extraordinary Minister.
Chris Mullen
1992 Olympic gold medalist.
Pat Riley
Former player and coach; president of the Miami Heat.
Kendrick Perkins
Center for Cleveland Cavaliers.
James J. Braddock
Professional boxer; the movie “Cinderella Man” was based on his life.
Mariel Zagunis
Fencing gold medalist at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Timothy Goebel
Figure skater; Olympic bronze medalist; involved with Catholic Charities.
Kimmie Meissner
2006 World Figure Skating champ.
Jordan Spieth
Professional golfer; won 2015 Masters Tournament.
Jordyn Wieber
Gold medalist with the 2011 World Champion Women’s gymnastics team and 2012 Olympics.
Samantha Peszek
Silver medalist at the 2008 Olympics with the women’s gymnastics team.
Dominique Dawes
Convert to Catholicism; member of the Magnificent Seven gymnastic team.
Johnny Gaudreau
Ice hockey left winger for the Calgary Flames.
Mark Van Guilder
Player for the Milwaukee Admirals.
Rebecca Dussault
Cross-country skier; Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati’s name was on her skis.
Matt Besler
Soccer player for Sporting Kansas City.
Chase Hilgenbrinck
Former defender for the New England Revolution; retired from soccer to enter the seminary; is now a priest of the Diocese of Peoria serving as an assistant chaplain to the St. John’s Newman Center at the University of Illinois.
Luke Vercollone
Player for the Richmond Kickers; Catholic Athletes for Christ member.
Bonnie Blair
Speed skater; spokeswoman for Catholic Relief Services.
Kate Ziegler
US Olympic swimmer.
James B. Connolly
Track and field jumper; won an Olympic medal; Knight of Columbus; author.
Lopez Lomong
Part of the Lost Boys of Sudan who became a US citizen; athlete in track and field.
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