Did you know American football has a long Catholic history?
Professional football was long considered a Catholic sport, drawing rugged players from the working class blue-collar immigrant families of which a good percentage were at least culturally Catholic.
That’s just professional football, but college football was even more important. Enthusiasts of American Catholic history know how much Notre Dame football’s success meant to an earlier generation:
At the turn of the 20th century, American Catholics, especially the immigrants flooding into the U.S., faced doubts about their religious and national identities and allegiances. Notre Dame football helped to assuage these concerns and change the public’s perception of American Catholicism.
The popularity of Notre Dame football during the Rockne era helped forge the distinct identity of American Catholics and counter claims that they weren’t American. The Catholic faithful across the country could now participate in the American ritual of cheering for their football team on Saturday, while also attending the global ritual of Mass on Sunday. As a result, the Fighting Irish reflected and shaped American Catholics’ journey to assimilate into mainstream American culture.
In honor of football’s Catholic history, let’s take a look back at 5 Catholic athletes who have competed in the Super Bowl. (Of course, there have been many others beside these!)
1Roger Staubach
A devout Catholic, Staubach led the Dallas Cowboys to multiple Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s. He is credited with popularizing the term “Hail Mary" pass:
Staubach’s Catholic faith was evident in one of the best highlight-reel plays in NFL history. In a 1975 playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, he threw a 50-yard bomb to receiver Drew Pearson in the final seconds to win the game, 17-14. Interviewed after the game, Staubach joked that he had said a Hail Mary just before he threw the ball.
From that point onward, any long desperation pass in an attempt to score in a game’s final seconds would be referred to as a “Hail Mary."
2Vince Lombardi
As head coach of the Green Bay Packers, Lombardi led the team to victories in the first two Super Bowls. A devout Catholic, he attended daily Mass throughout his life and coaching career. The Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor.
3Mike Ditka
Ditka won Super Bowl VI as a player with the Dallas Cowboys and later coached the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl XX victory. He is noted for his Catholic faith and is a Knight of Columbus. He has been involved in various charitable activities.
4Harrison Butker
The Kansas City Chiefs kicker is a practicing Catholic known for his faith. He has been open about his beliefs and is often seen wearing a brown scapular during games.
5Don Shula
A devout Catholic, Shula coached the Miami Dolphins to multiple Super Bowl appearances, including leading them to the NFL’s only perfect season in 1972. He said in interviews that he might have entered the seminary if he hadn’t gone into coaching, and that he tried to attend Mass every day.
