Editor’s note: Broncos rookie cornerback Domonique Foxworth is sharing his thoughts and experiences with readers in a weekly journal throughout the season. Foxworth encourages support of the Ambassadors for Literacy program for youth. For more about the program, go to www.ambassadorsforliteracy.net.
Sunday is a day for religion and Broncos football. Church in the morning and the game in the afternoon has become a Sunday ritual for my parents and thousands of other Broncos fanatics. By noon, the a.m. amens develop into “IN-COM-PLETE” chants for the defense and cheers for another Jake Plummer touchdown pass.
While some of the words and behaviors change, the religion doesn’t go anywhere for us as players. Even as we take part in one of the most violent aggressive sports in America there remains an element of religion.
I could write about how substantial a win over the defending Super Bowl champs is or the tremendous effect our home crowd had on the game against the Patriots on Sunday, but instead I’d like to share something no other columnist has access to.
Religion is the focal point for this week’s behind-the-scenes look. Teammates kneeling and holding hands on the sideline as they pray for winning field goals or fourth-down conversions are the extent of what most people know about the religiousness of a football team.
The poignant weekly Bible studies stimulate discussions and spiritual thoughts that aren’t often associated with football players.
And there is no better way to calm an eager rookie before a big game than to put the game in perspective by reminding him of his spiritual beliefs.
A pregame prayer is one of the few times the offense and defense have the chance to be together. Throughout the week we have separate meetings and our locker room is divided down the middle – defense on one side and the offense on the other. But on Sunday before the game we meet in the middle for a prayer and take the field together with one goal in mind.
On Sunday the unity we had during the prayer was evident on the field. In the face of various setbacks we stayed together and were able to win.
Thank God for football.
