Deseret News | MormonTimes.com: 27 Mormons on NFL rosters

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MormonTimes.com: 27 Mormons on NFL rosters

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Missionary Opportunity | 8:42 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

I'm sure some LDS professional athletes are more visible for the Church than others but several have given thousands of hours in service to the Church. Their popularity and visibility gives them unique opportunities to do firesides and other things that can be a great missionary tool for non-members and testimony builder for members. For those who can only find the negative because these members occassionally work on the Sabbath are really missing the big picture and missing the good so many pro athletes do for the Church that they otherwise would not have the opportunity to do. Steve Young's continued career in the media allows him to keep that ability to do good for the Church from a position of a well-known celebrity. I hope all these men are taking advantage of their visibility and popularity to forward the Gospel as much as they can.

Add one more to the list: | 9:26 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Chris Cooley, TE for the Washington Redskins, who graduated from Logan High School and Utah State University. While I believe that he currently no longer is practicing Mormonism, he was baptized a member of the church while in high school at Logan High. I know this because I was a classmate and attended his baptism. So as far as I know, he is at least still a member of the church.

Interesting | 9:46 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

There is a definitely double standard with the church when it comes to "famous" Mormons. Athletes choose their profession and can always use their degrees for something else. They choose to go after the big bucks. They choose to go into a profession that puts them in the position to skip church, yet they are asked to speak at firesides and members act as it these people are above others. I don't really care what people do, but how about a story on the bishop who works 3 jobs to support his family like my father did.

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Hello | 10:24 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Let's see, which has more potential for postively affecting the greatest number of people - a professional football career in which thousands look up to you, would listen to what you have to say, and even take an interest in your religion OR forgoing that opportunity so you can attend all your meetings on Sunday and make occassional comments in Sunday School? How about we take our Pharisee-glasses off and look at the greater good!

Re:Hello | 11:45 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

To be honest, athletes religion has no affect on anything. I have no idea what religion my favorite athletes belong too.
I love how people excuse Steve Young for going on a mission. He had a greater mission in the NFL.
Oh yeah and he sacrificed a lot for that by making $$$.
Do you honestly think anyone said "That Steve can sure throw a football, what religion is he?"
I'm not dissing Steve Young, but I don't think that anyone joined the Mormon church because he can play football, and if they did they did it for the wrong reason.

BellaMia | 11:52 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

I also don't understand how we raise LDS children to make all these sacrifices of Sunday activities including not playing on sports teams that in some cases would lead to college scholarships for playing with these teams. BYU teams have forfeited games rather than play on Sunday. Then all because money is involved - and a lot of it - it's OK for these men to play on Sunday in a sport that usually causes physical damage to the body?

I don't get the consistency of that. And to make it worse, they have these players and LDS coaches speak at firesides as if they are great spiritual warriors returning from battle with so much profound spiritual insight. Athletes are not spiritual superstars - but usualllly indulged prima donas.

If these were women playing on Sunday would the reportage be so favorable? - i don't think it would be.

Cal | 1:00 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Family first, religion second, sports last. Lets talk about the good that other lds people are doing for country.

Pete | 1:02 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Judge not. How do you all know they don't find a church close by where they are playing. Church buildings are everywhere you know.

Anonymous | 1:22 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Playing a good football game on Sunday helps a lot more people than sitting in a boring bunch of meetings for three hours each week! The NFL players have it right! Do something valuable on Sunday instead of wasting your time sitting on your hiney trying to convince everybody you are more righteous than them!

Dixie Dan | 1:57 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

A local Little League team in Santa Clara forfeited their championship baseball game because it would have required them to play on Sunday. Yet, when these same youth graduate from college and have a chance to play professional sports, they have no hesitation to do so. Is there a doubel standard?

Doc Bart | 2:18 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Good information. That list will make watching football more fun, I hope you do more like this. I enjoy seeing "the home team" do well in any endeavor. Steve Young has some great stories about his influence on other pro-football players, influence for the positive, with some conversions. The Sabbath/work issue has been beat to death and it was answered generations ago. Who is this new crop of LDS pharisees who don't get it? Do we have to explain it to you AGAIN?

I wonder... | 5:39 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

...what religion are the other 1900 players in the NFL? Oh, wait...nobody cares.

tmkeeps | 12:36 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

I admit to not being a football fan but my husband is. It is hard for him not to watch a football game on the Sabbath. Why are we highlighting people who are obviously breaking the Sabbath? I'd rather read about those that gave up careers like these to spend time with their families and Do What is Right.
Sports are not a jobs of necessity, they are a choice.

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