At Least One Reverend Able to Wed Rival Forces of Church and Football

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↵Pop culture would always have us believe that the forces of football and religion are in direct opposition. Despite the vocal reverence from players about their creed, you could go on and on about the cultural reinforcement from however many sitcoms that have employed the trope where the dopey husband skips out on church to watch a game or sneaks in a radio to listen to a play-by-play during a service. ↵↵In reality, however, it seems the two may be so diametrical in the view of their audience. For example, one New Jersey church had turned an annual event steeped in football trappings into a successful proselytizing tool. ↵

↵↵⇥The service drew nearly 2,000 people, including a bevy of newcomers who were in for a worship service that was anything but ordinary.↵⇥↵⇥He stood in awe, looking at scores of men wearing their favorite football jerseys over their slacks and leather shoes. In the church lobby and sanctuary, football banners and posters were plastered on the walls and hung from the ceilings.↵⇥

↵⇥↵⇥Between worshipful songs of praise, the congregants broke out in a stadium wave, briefly standing and throwing their arms in the air.↵⇥

↵⇥↵⇥A tailgate party, including sandwiches, hot dogs and chips, followed the music-filled service.↵⇥

↵⇥↵⇥“A lot of people can get bored during a service, but this brings a sense of excitement, and at the same time, a sense of hope,” said Carrington, who wore a No. 88 Lynn Swann Pittsburgh Steelers jersey.↵⇥

↵↵↵Plenty gimmicky, sure, but anytime the church is willing to show itself open to tasteful elements of pop culture, it’s going to get a good response. They could even add an annual Super Bowl event. That is, if the NFL wouldn’t almost certainly clamp down on their right to do so.↵

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