Alan Goldenback, Washington Post
After NFL’s first prayer, religion touched down
In the article “After NFL’s first prayer, religion touched down” written by Alan Goldenbach, the writer describes the first time a football player showed his faith by praying after a touchdown. It was Oct. 7, 1977 when Herb Lusk scored on a 70 yard touchdown run, and then when he was four yards deep in the end zone, he dropped to one knee, bowed his head and prayed. A few seconds later he got up and returned to the sidelines, and as Alan writes “His legacy was sealed.” Steve Sabol, the president of NFL films said “Herb Lusk was the first NFL player to kneel in the end zone and pray.” The article goes on to tell how Herb had paved the way for not only all football players to express their faith, but other sports as well. Pitchers point to the sky after a good game, or basketball players pray at center court when a game is over. Lusk says in the article “I'm very proud of when I look and see guys praying in the end zone or praying after [a game]. I see these guys as my sons.I gave birth to them. I see that as my purpose for playing in the NFL".
I think what Herb did was actually a very brave act, especially for a football player. Football is a sport of looking tough and acting macho, especially when it was in the 70’s. Herb could have easily been ridiculed for his actions. He could have been called names and lost respect from his fellow teammates. It doesn’t seem like what he did is a big deal because nowadays it is so common, maybe even overused, but he was the first one EVER. His actions really had an affect on other athletes, showing them that it is ok to express themselves. And with athletes being such huge icons, Herb actually had an affect on a mass number of people, even the team I play for. Before every game we kneel and hold hands while a priest says a prayer for us. All of these types of things can relate back to Herb.
3 comments:
I agree what Herb Lusk did was very brave for his time. He did what he wanted to do without a worry of what could happen as a result. On the day it happened it was overlooked, but years later it is looked at as a turning point in professional sports for those that want to show their faith without fear of ridicule. I think when Herb did this it had more meaning than it does today. Today, athletes will kneel and pray or point towards the sky, and for some they really do mean it, but for others it seems very insincere and overused. However, those acts of prayer and thanks are much more acceptable than many of the touchdown celebrations that have been performed in the recent past by athletes such as Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens.
I also agree that Herb Lusk, also known as “The praying Tailback,” made a very bold move when he prayed after scoring a touchdown. He made prayer public and acceptable in athletics. Today it is very common to see a player pray during a game. Thanks to Lusk, players can express their faith on the field without criticism. Nowadays, it seems players are trying to start new end zone practices; for example, carrying a sharpie or even a cell phone in their socks. I think these actions are more for the purpose of fame than the player’s personal expression. To me, these actions are getting out of control. In 1977, Lusk wasn’t trying to “look cool.” He was simply expressing his faith.
I believe that what Herb Lusk did was very brave and he really did point sports in a different direction. I have been on teams that people prayed before or after games and if it helps them then great. In my opinion, now that the US is such a "melting pot" I am suprised so many people still do this act of praying. I recently saw Michigan st. players pray at the endzone before the game on last saturday and i was somewhat confused. I wonder how people can be so religious but go out on that field and possibly play with terrible sportsmanship. I think praying is something that people should do in private since we have so many religions present. Herb Lusk was a brave person to stick up for what he believed in but at the same time we all believe in so many different things its kind of inappropriate now.
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