The following comes from a Feb. 13 story on the website of the Cardinal Newman Society.
As the Olympic Games spotlight some of the world’s best athletes, the Catholic University of America has announced plans to honor an award-winning football player who also champions the Catholic faith.
Philip Rivers, a Pro Bowl quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, will address the graduating class and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Catholic U’s commencement exercises in May, according to the University’s website.
Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will receive an honorary doctor of theology degree and will be the main celebrant at the baccalaureate Mass. Cardinal Tagle is an alumnus of Catholic U., having earned a licentiate in sacred theology and a doctorate in theology from the University.
The university reports:
A devout Catholic, Rivers combines a tough training and playing schedule with the practice of his faith and his family life.
Rivers attended North Carolina State University, where he started 51 straight games and completed a conference record 1,147 passes, with 95 touchdowns. In each of his four years, he led his team to a postseason bowl game, and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player each time. When he graduated from NC State in 2003, the University retired his number.
Rivers came to the Chargers in 2004 and has been the starting quarterback since 2006. He holds numerous team franchise records, has taken the Chargers to the playoffs five times, and has been honored with five Pro Bowl invitations. An all-out competitor, he played the entire 2007 AFC Championship game with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which later required surgery.
Rivers finds time to attend Mass before every game. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Tiffany. They have seven children. He and his wife have been active in charity work that involves abandoned and orphaned children.
To read the original story, click here.
May God Bless Philip Rivers and his family.
We need more athletes like him….you won’t read anything in the national papers about this..but!!!…there will be continuous coverage about the Gay athlete and the bullying episode in Miami….I hope his commencement speech is a strong and powerful discernment about his faith….not his football accolades….
Athletes need to emulate Rivers and Tebow and not the sodomites celebrated by the Satanic sports media.
Faithful athletes were once considered the norm; now the media acts as if they are so extraordinary as to be worthy of eye-popping, head-scratching media focus.
As a former star athlete, I question whether organized athletics are good for young people when a long hike in the majesty of nature or swimming in the ocean might be just as good or better for their bodies, easy on their bones, good for their minds, uplifting for their souls, and easier on parental pocketbooks.
Being a star on a playing field tends to make young people think they are more special than others less blessed, but a culture of youthful stratification into superiority/inferiority complexes and body-banging competition doesn’t seem to promote Christian values to last a lifetime, nor do we often see these athletes dedicate themselves to focusing as adults on making the world a better place for this person’s having been here. Too many go on to spend their lives and fortunes on superficial excitements acquiring possessions, conquering women, being slain by drugs, and/or courting North Korean-type social deviants and political criminals.
On the other hand, spending time in nature and discovering the wonders of the world and the limits of one’s own body and determination within a natural setting seems to clear the mind, improve the body and set the soul to soaring and pondering the majesty and magnificence of God’s creation. While games are fun, engaging with nature seems a far better way to encourage young people to become good human beings at peace with God, nature, and their fellow human beings.
Spunds like an awesome guy who is a good role model for Catholic men.
Trivia question: What club does a Catholic family with seven children belong to?
Answer: Natural Family Planning.
good cause, want to join up? :)
good cause, seriously though, why are you so down on large families? Yes, maybe your family of origin was dysfunctional, but do you really have to project your reality onto everybody else?
You may not realize this, but those who come from large families tend to have lower incidences of narcissistic personality disorder. A world with fewer narcissist in it sounds like a pretty good cause to support if you ask me.
good cause, FYI dysfunctional families are not only limited to large ones. Those with one or two children can be plagued with problems as well. The number of children in one’s family is not what determines functionality.
I pray that one day you will be healed from your inordinate fear of children. Remember even Jesus had a special affection for them.
God bless you Tracy. You are very kind to good cause.
Hmmm…I may need to become a charger fan
I am proud that he is a Catholic first and a Charger second. From a Roman Catholic Charger fan who worships, receives sanctifying grace, prays, and lives traditional Catholic ways here in Chula Vista.
Hey Doug, AMEN to that! Hello neighbor! We are neighbors, Chula Vista, a beautiful city!
Agnus Dei,
quitollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei,
quitollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei,
quitollis peccata mundi: dona nobis pacem. AMEN
Hi Abeca,
My family and I attend Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Are you a member of St. Anne’s Parish? May God bless you.