God's Presence Central To Superbowl

GOD'S PRESENCE CENTRAL TO SUPERBOWL
Two men of God had Kingdom building on their minds at the most pivotal moment in their career

What I will remember about Super Bowl XLI -aside from The Bears' Deyton Hester's unbelievable 92-yard rush to a TD from the opening kick off, the Colts coming from behind to take home the ring in a 29-17 victory making Tony Dungy the first African American Coach to win the coveted title, and Prince's half time performance of Purple Rain in the rain -- is the abundant religious related pre-game press associated with it.

Unofficially called the "Soul Bowl," as the first face off of two African American coaches, it could easily be a double entendre as the two head coaches' souls are anchored in Christianity. The frequent mention of God in interviews of the coaches placed Christianity on the starting line-up. Report after report articulated the brotherhood Lovie Smith (Chicago Bears) and Tony Dungy (Indianapolis Colts) shared because of their religious foundation and their faith forward leadership styles. At the center of the remarks was the fact that neither man fit the hot-headed, foul-mouth stereotype linked to many high ranking coaches. They have been appreciated for not yelling at their players and using profanity and conducting themselves as true gentlemen, sincere men of God. Other stories captured how the fascination with their professed faith energized evangelism as well as inspired some to capitalize on the over 8 billion dollar event.

I've summarized several headlines that aroused attention, putting God in the spotlight rather than the coaches themselves:

Faith a priority for Super Bowl coaches

The Christian athletic organization, Athletes in Action, was honored with the presence of Indiana Colts coach, Tom Dungy. The event took place in Miami, FL, a day before Superbowl XLI and being there to express his faith was apparently a priority for Dungy. You have coaches who have firm Christian values, and the country and the world need to see that this week," Dungy said. "I'm more proud of that than anything else."

Continuing in the same Christ-centered vein, fellow Superbowl coach and friend Lovie Smith stated in a video segment, "God has given us a perfect stage to confess our faith in Jesus Christ."

Dungy was the first-ever Super Bowl coach to attend their 19th Annual Superbowl Breakfast.

Further exemplary of their commitment to Christianity, both men appeared in a USA Today ad focusing on their faith, not the Superbowl, which was paid for by Campus Crusade for Christ...

	First Black Super Bowl Coaches Say 'The Lord Set this Up'	The Christian Post	Mon Feb 5	1
	Dungy's NFL success has roots in his years at U	The Minneapolis Star Tribune	Sun Feb 4	0
	Black NFL Fans Confront Welcome Quandary	Associated Press	Sat Feb 3	2
	Colts Tame Bears for Super Bowl Victory	Associated Press	Sun Feb 4	26