Zimbabwe’s renowned cleric and Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministry founder Walter Magaya recently built a modern soccer stadium in less than six months at his Yadah Complex in the capital city Harare. The project comes at a time when Magaya is facing several scandals, including being accused of rape and financial wrongdoing.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Because of concerns to preserve the country's cramped view of "secularism," French authorities are denying Muslim soccer players accommodation for their religiously required Ramadan fasting. This reveals very different understandings of what is meant by the term "secular" and thereby the very meaning of the now much debated "secular state.”
Read MoreWhen you grow to 6-foot-4 and 297 pounds by the time you’re 16, “Joshua Alan” just doesn’t fit the script the way “Bear” does. With two years of ball left for Cass High in White, Georgia, Bear continues to collect offers even after the recruit made a verbal commitment to Arkansas. When the state of Georgia approved Name, Image and Likeness deals for high school athletes, it opened up opportunities for players like Bear to reap a big windfall.
Read MoreMuslim athletes face a unique challenge when Ramadan coincides with their training and competition schedules. Throughout the month-long period, practicing Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from both food and drink. For athletes, this can be particularly demanding as they need to maintain their energy and performance levels.
Read MoreOn a hazy morning with an aura of high spirit and enthusiasm, Mohammad Abdullah Dar, 84, wearing a tracksuit and a skull cap, starts jogging in the playground of the Amar Singh College in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. He’s been on a mission to teach soccer to women and help them excel at it in a part of the world not always enthusiastic about female sports.
Read MoreFor 14 seasons, Pastor Rod Hairston served as a chaplain for the Baltimore Ravens, where he helped the NFL franchise build a winning culture among the front office executives, coaches and players. After two Super Bowl rings and serving as a sports chaplain from Howard University to UCLA, Hairston, 57, is a “life coach” working with couples.
Read MoreThe controversial “He Gets Us” Super Bowl ads appear to have been funded by sneaky cultural conservatives who want seekers to join progressive churches.
Read MoreDave Canales is ready to start his journey as head coach of the Carolina Panthers nearly two years after co-authoring a book with his wife Lizzy about working through problems with infidelity, addiction to pornography and binge drinking. Canales credits his wife’s support and Christianity for helping him improve his life.
Read MorePalestinians celebrated the country’s national team after qualifying for the knockout stage at the AFC Asian Cup. The historic win, a 3-0 victory against Hong Kong to close out the group stage, allowed Palestine to reach the round of 16 for the first time in the tournament’s 68-year history. It also brought some comfort amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Read MoreOver the next few weeks, a team of pastors will organize events in Ivory Coast — with plans to involve players, coaches and fans — throughout the Africa Cup of Nations, which ends on Feb. 11 with the final. The host nation — along with Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco and Egypt — are among the favorites to win Africa’s premier soccer tournament for national teams.
Read MoreThe decision by Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo to become a Christian was one of the biggest stories involving athletes and their faith in 2023. He’s one of five athletes who have been vocal about their Christian faith who now serve as a role model to millions around the world.
Read MoreHouston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud — one of this season’s rising stars in the NFL — isn’t just known for throwing touchdown passes and getting his team into the playoffs. Stroud also made headlines for his faith after thanking Jesus following his team’s 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts this past Saturday, earning the team a spot in the playoffs that start this weekend.
Read More(REVIEW) The movie tells the true story (previously told by the documentary by the same name) of the American Samoan national soccer team’s inglorious and historic losing streak that was finally turned around when disgraced coach Thomas Rongen came on board to help turn the team around.
Read MoreFall means NFL football, and NFL football means that staffers with Athletes in Action, the sports ministry of Cru, are busy serving a number of NFL teams. Unlike Major League Baseball, which uses Baseball Chapel to offer players and coaches regular chapel services before nearly every game, NFL teams vary in their commitment to introducing chaplains and pastors to their organizations.
Read More(OPINION) What I’ve retained about Sept. 15, 1973, is more a feeling than details of a game. It’s an impression. It’s an aura of happiness and relief. In Commonwealth Stadium, amid all the opening day hubbub, Dad and I seemed almost magically removed from our outside lives. In a desert of private unhappiness, we’d stumbled on an oasis: a place where a band played, people laughed and the hot dogs were tasty. Our tension eased.
Read MoreThe New Orleans Saints won their season opener in dramatic fashion — defeating the Tennessee Titans 16-15 — but it was linebacker Demario Davis who stole the spotlight after the game with an amazing story of faith. Instead of talking about Sunday’s win, Davis took the time to thank God after his 4-year-old daughter Carly-Faith had suffered a seizure two days earlier.
Read MoreThese days, the 56-year-old Sanders is known less for what he did on the field and more for what he’s doing on the sidelines and what he’s saying in the locker room as coach of the University of Colorado’s football team. Sanders is also making headlines for his Christianity and how he’s used his faith to motivate himself and his players.
Read MoreThe Saudis have lots of money, easily outspending European clubs for players. Since the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund took control of four teams earlier this year, the deep-pocketed Saudis are recruiting players — and specifically Muslim talent — in their quest to change their global image. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International have called this process “sportswashing.”
Read More(OPINION) Since the media and the internet are crazy over lists (is this David Letterman’s doing?), how about a well-reported article — not about our American era’s top 10 religious celebrities but which ones exercise the most influence, seen or unseen?
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the religion angles in this weekend’s Super Bowl. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
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