Eagles’ Christian players strive to be like Jesus

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Prior to Super Bowl Sunday, Corey Simon, defensive tackle for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, said walking on the field would be like mounting the pulpit.

Simon, a Pompano Beach native who finished a four-year career at Florida State in 1999, spoke openly about his faith in front of reporters at Media Day at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville Feb. 1.

“When you get a chance to step out onto that field, that’s your pulpit,” Simon said. “You get an opportunity to preach a sermon every time you play this game.

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“This will be my church, this will be my chapel on Sunday,” he said. “When it’s all said and done, who gets the glory is what matters.”

Acknowledging challenges along the way, Simon, who was instrumental in starting the Morning Star Church of Greater Philadelphia, said maintaining priorities in his life help shim to keep everything in perspective on the field.

“It’s understanding that it’s a game,” Simon said. “I gotta tell myself that—It’s a game. It’s a game. When this game is over you have to look that man in the eye and he has to know that you are the person you say you are.”

Another Florida native, offensive tackle Tra Thomas, from Deland, said he prepares for games long before he steps foot on the field.

The former Seminole, who’s been with the Eagles since 1998, said he prays and meets with his pastor or a chaplain regularly and attends Wednesday night Bible study at Living Faith Christian Center in Pennsauken, New Jersey.

The accountability of being involved in a church is important to Thomas, who says the Christian life, like football, is something that requires work.

“You know you’re not going to become just like Jesus overnight, so it’s always a process,” Thomas said. “You’ve got to put in the time. You’ve got to ... make a final decision to live your life right.”

Growing up in Georgia, the son of a Southern Baptist evangelist, Roderick Hood divided his time between the church and the football fields.

“I was in church every week, Vacation Bible School, summer camp, you name it, I was there for it,” he said.

The two-year cornerback from Auburn University now finds it hard to believe God’s goodness in combining his passions of faith and football as a member of the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.

“I would never be where I am today without my faith,” Hood said. “I want to be faithful to God to be able to show off the talent He has given me. I want to be faithful to study His Word and stay grounded in His ways,” Hood said.

“When you turn your eyes back to God, you will always stay grounded in Him and not get caught in all of this hype.”

Southern Baptist pastor David Hoke, who has served as the Eagles’ chaplain for a more than a decade, said nearly a dozen active Christians are on the roster for Philadelphia’s first Super Bowl in more than two decades.

Among the active team believers are punter Dirk Johnson and kicker David Akers, who often spend their time together in kicking drills encouraging each other in the Lord.

While Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri has won New England’s last two Super Bowl victories with last-second field goals, Akers said his faith in Christ gives him a different perspective as Sunday’s game approaches.

“It’s more important I come home Sunday night and my daughter still knows I love her and I’m still a good husband to my wife,” Akers said. “God has put me in this position because he wants me to succeed. If not, He has another reason for putting me there. God has a plan and a purpose for my life and for this team.”

Akers, who has been in the spotlight because of his work with troubled youth, said he is thankful for and comfortable in using his own unique talent in order to influence youth.

“I’m not a policeman, I’m not a fireman, I’m not in the Armed Forces,” Akers said. “I’ve got my one little niche to be able to kick a football and by doing that I’ve been able to change peoples’ lives.”

A former substitute teacher, Akers said he’s straightened up some now and learned that maybe the classroom’s not the best place for him.

“Now I get to interact with [the children] and do things with them without having to discipline them,” he said.

After coming out of college as an unheralded kicker, Johnson said it has been a blessing to hook up with the Eagles the last two years and find a number of like-minded teammates.

“We have a large number of Christian guys on the team who are real leaders. We’re just trying to stay humble in His Word and honor Him.”

Starting running back Brian Westbrook said his early start at a Christian School gave him a good foundation for life.

“I still have a strong faith in God,” said Westbrook. “I think that having that balance, having that base, is something that you need as a player. There are so many things that are coming to you all across the board.”

Ike Reese and Hank Fraley, who patrol the defensive and offensive lines of scrimmage for the Eagles, said their focus on God is what sustains them in the sometimes violent and vulgar world of professional football.

“In this game, there is always a chance to go to the good side or the bad,” Fraley said. “I wanted to be living for the good, and we have guys here who will help you out, pray with you and help you read the Bible.”

That doesn’t mean Fraley doesn’t stray from the straight and narrow.

“I’ve fallen off the fence here and then, to be honest,” Fraley admitted. “It’s nice to be able to turn to Him when you’re in need. He definitely leads you on the right path.”

And the players admit they are looking toward Sunday on the field with a humbled attitude.

“My faith doesn’t allow me to get too pumped up,” Reese added. “It doesn’t allow me to get a big head without Him.”

[With reporting by Art Stricklin for Baptist Press and Doug Waters, an intern with Florida Baptist Witness.]