Posted on 12/13/2014 9:54:00 PM PST by NKP_Vet
Vince Lombardi’s brilliance as a football coach was a direct result of his dedication to Catholicism
In the middle of winter, between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, a secular ritual of nearly fifty years has become part of the American cultural scene. It is called the Super Bowl, the championship game of the interminably long National Football League season. Two weeks of incessant television extravaganza lead up to the game itself, which ends with the winner being awarded the Lombardi Trophy named for a man now 44 years dead but still considered by many to be the greatest football coach in the history of the game.
In nine years as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi transformed an inept team into the powerhouse NFL dynasty of the1960s, winning the NFL championship five times and winning the first two Super Bowls. Lombardi was also intensely Catholic, a man who went to daily Mass. The Catholic Church was instrumental in forming the football coaching great.
(Excerpt) Read more at remnantnewspaper.com ...
He was sure my favorite coach, I used to read books about all those guys, and I loved the Packers and the way that they played ball back then.
The Packer’s pulling guard Jerry Kramer was one of my football heroes. And Ray Nitschke.
Ray Nitschke was my football role model.
He was as tough as a boot sole.
An all-around athlete, a lot like Jack Nicklaus.
But back again to toughness. I read stories of these guys playing with broken legs, noses, etc.
I saw a documentary (can’t recall the name of it) that didn’t paint Lombardi in a very good light. He was a great coach but his family suffered, particularly his wife, because he was obsessed with his job.
People are what people are because that’s what they are, not because of what church they attend.
Vince Lombardi was the only ball coach that I actually think anything high of.
Non football and sports me went and took the Lambeau field tour a while back to break up my EAA routine a little. I like history so I took the advice of the residence staff and a road trip.
I got a lot out of the stadium tour and history lesson. I still really don’t care about sports though but appreciate what it took for the Packers to become what they are.
Men like him don’t come around too often, do they?
“I derive my strength from daily Mass and Communion.”
~ Vince Lombardi
So do I.
Well, I used to think that he and I had nothing more in common than our possession of a vertebral column. NOW, I know differently.
Thank you for the quote.
God bless you and yours.
The Golden Bear was my husband’s hero.
I loved that book and I’m an old Baltimore Colt fan. I grew up in Towson. Went to Immaculate Conception. Shula, Unitas, Marchetti, Donovan, Matte all went to Mass there. My Dad would tap me on the shoulder to pay attention to Mass, when my head was on a swivel looking for those guys.
Another small post. I show my children your posts as classic examples of relentless Protestant attacks. This post was about a great man who derived his strength through faith. The original post didn’t deride,demean or even mentioned Protestants yet you had to take a shot it. I’m sorry you’re so mired in bitterness
I miss the days when I used to go to Mass daily. It's not because I don't want to, it's just not available to me now. Maybe some day. :(
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.