Prior to Penn State's homecoming football game with the University of Minnesota, PSU defensive lineman Jerome Hayes went to a corner of the end zone and silently prayed on one knee, head in hand. He was spotted by Minnesota's mascot, "Goldy Gopher," who derisively knelt in front of Hayes, got up at the same time and then tried to shake hands.
Hayes ignored the Gopher, turned and jogged away as a cheerleader bounded up to "Goldy" and gleefully slapped him a high five. The incident was posted on YouTube with a fan in the background saying, "He totally mocked his prayer. That's not cool."
The University of Minnesota has apologized. Goldy himself apparently has no comment.
It's just a little thing, but it's typical of "little things" that are out there all the time. The casual dismissal of the Christian faith (especially compared to the overwrought respect for Islam) has become rampant.
Since we're talking about football, it seems there are more demonstrations of faith among football players than in other sports. It's not unusual to see players praying before a game, having a team prayer, or giving thanks after a good play. The typical physical expression is a player touching a fist to his heart, then looking up and pointing his index finger skyward.
A friend once told me he found this irritating. Considering he's an unbeliever, I guess I can understand his annoyance. Personally, I think it's cool.
The media must have some code of conduct that prevents them from commenting on faith. If a player spikes a ball, dances or comes up with other antics (think Terrell Owens) he's glamorized. But when somebody like the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers has the camera focused on him while he's on a knee praying, then bounces up, taps his chest and points to the sky, the announcer's only comment is "That's Ben Roethlesberger getting his thoughts together before the game."
Anybody who hangs around the stadium after an NFL game sees players from both teams gather at the 50 yard line. They're part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and they have a group prayer after every game. About a third of the players are usually there, including a number of the big names. Once in a great while, network cameramen will inadvertently show this in the background of post game interviews, otherwise no one in the television audience would ever know it happens.
Trying to ignore expressions of Christian faith in a sport that's suffused with it must drive the media crazy.
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