but he has a deal with the devil

To me open displays of religion are for no purpose other than to draw attention to yourself.
If one was truly religious would he or she really believe that their gawd had nothing to do but watch over their daily lives?
Wouldn't a real gawd care less about a game than those starving or maybe care more about stopping a bullet headed for the head of someone's father?

Nope - those displays are just to draw attention to themselves and the telecasts usually accomodate them by holding the camera on them for a few seconds.

cameras aren't allowed in there.

when the Giants players did the Hands UP don't shoot or wore "I can't breathe" shirts or what ever....BUT IF they had the right to express their beliefs and force their views upon the audience then so do religious players. Either BAN IT ALL or allow it all. You cannot pick and choose. You can always change the channel.

my pro football watching is about 2 hours or so a year.

Warning it does use vulgar language.

You knew Russ was super religious when he was drafted. He puts bible quotes on his twitter every day. This is the wrong sport if you don't like displays of religious devotion.

It's amazing to me that after that classic, once-in-a-lifetime game yesterday, as a Seahawks fan you choose this to talk about.

other major American sport. What is it about football?

After scoring in the NBA, the game continues. There is no time to do religious celebrations. Also the postgames are shorter because the season is longer, each game means a lot less. MLB is the same way.

TV doesn't control what the players say. The more exposure you get to the players, the more mentions of God you will hear, regardless of whether it's basketball or baseball.

does this bother you so much? So, Russell Wilson credited some deity you don't believe in. Big deal. Should everyone consult with you to find out what is acceptable to you??

Nothing gets the panties in a wad on DU quite like religion. A few months ago some clown was in a snit because one of the Ebola survivors (a Christian missionary, BTW) thanked God for his recovery. My reaction was that the guy had survived a horrible diseases, despite being at death's door, and he was free to say whatever the hell he wanted.

Same with Russell Wilson. It was an amazing comeback win. (And I say that while wearing my 1996 Green Bay Packers NFC Championship sweatshirt.) Wilson can say whatever he wants--its HIS moment in the spotlight, not yours.

thank The Almighty for being with them that day. What is going through the minds of those less fortunate? To those whose misery God has ignored? And why is God helping some yahoo win a sporting event, while letting innocent kids die every day in pediatric oncology wards.

Surely these athletes can appreciate how millions find their remarks offensive - and arrogant.

You're absolutely correct - it is their moment in the spotlight and they are free to say any darn thing they want to.

That was a classic game. It will be shown 50 years from now on NFL Classics. And the 30 seconds Russ spent mentioning God really ruined it for you?

If we win the Super Bowl, you can turn it off at 0:00 and miss the trophy presentation, because I guarantee Wilson will be talking about God again.

After how they came back yesterday, they can hold a full mass in the middle of the field for all I care.

thrown into what should be a fun event.

then you should stop saying that you're not easily offended.

sP

for your observation.

I'm forgetting which stand up said that, but it was something to the effect of words you'll never hear.

A plane crashes, a tornado roars through town -- 200 people die, but, miraculously, there's a survivor! God saved him/her! Thank you God, you are truly a loving deity! Of course, why you either caused or failed to prevent said tragedy in the first place -- shhh! Don't ask that! And too bad about those other schmucks who died -- guess they weren't worthy of The Omnipotent One's attention.

-cisely!!!

in response to the person thanking god in the middle of death and destruction;

"Looks like god was trying to get you too and missed"

Isn't she lucky he loves her so much he let her witness the death of her parents and left her alone in the world?

I'll bet she doesn't think so.

as opposed to asking Me to help the sick, the poor, and the hungry, I would be less than receptive. If anything, I would use My divine powers to give the opposing team a boost.

Look at the suffering and destruction on this planet. Either it's a cruel, sociopathic god, or it doesn't exist.

But yes, your point is well made - and taken. Within blocks of CenturyLink field are no fewer than 1,000 homeless men, women and children. But yesterday, all of God's energies were apparently focused on Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.

That's what they would have you believe if you listened to the post game comments.

I think they are praying for thanks that God gave them these incredible abilities. I don't think they pray to win but to just do the best that they can. I am sure the whole intervention thing never comes into their minds. Many also pray that no one is injured in the game. Wilson gives a lot back to his community. He is a good guy whether people feel comfortable with his public displays of faith or not.

In many cases members of both teams pray together after a game. I have also seen groups of players from opposing teams pray together when a player is seriously hurt.

for the exact reasons you mentioned. I do not pray for a win, I pray that the players do not suffer a career ending injury.

As a lifelong atheist and NFL fan, I just can't manage to give a shit whether a guy scored a touchdown for Jesus or not.

Instead of crediting their effort, abilities, and decision making, they thank an imaginary man in the sky.

I can certainly understand your frustration with people not celebrating the way you believe they should during a game... with a ball. I hope it didn't cause any undue strains or stresses on the outcome of the game or the style the game was played. I can only imagine the feelings of offense watching others celebrate a game in unapproved ways must cause.

It sounds horrific.

"What does God need with a football?"

Some players chose to meet and pray after the game. Not a huge issue to me, it seems like a ritual and coping mechanism for some players.

and saw a player, (Whose name I will not mention) and asked him for an autograph, on he bill of my cap. I was thrilled until I saw what he had written. "Thank the Lord, praise god on high! From Jesus and (players name) God bless you!"

I tossed the cap into the can. I don't like my football mixed with Religion. It is not the church of the NFL...but these days it seems like it.

people to win football games and Oscars

I remember when crazy old Art Bell used to do collective consciousness experiments on coast to coast live. But he stopped doing that because he said, "I'm afraid of the immense power."

Just ask Steve Johnson.

North Dallas 40.

it? There is no right to NOT be offended that I know about. Belief is belief...and it is very personal. If one does not believe in God or any other higher power that is their right and none of it offends me. Offense itself is personal. I can't nor should I stop anyone from being offended if that is how they feel.

I don't give a shit if somebody prays after a game or does the sign of the cross or whatever. It's none of my business. There is no organized system of oppression if a bunch of people who play sports are personally religious; indeed a system of oppression would be the NFL telling its employees that punishment would be given to those who pray at work because there's an atheist watching.

To think that somebody actually made the argument that NFL players shouldn't be allowed to pray because God didn't stop the Holocaust...wow.

There not offended anymore.

Change the channel if you don't like it.

a continuation of all the other LOOK AT ME! crap the game has become full of. Silly grandstanding displays after plays, trash talking and taunting. Shouldn't be any of it.

No need to witness something you don't understand.

Got it.

And you get offended, sounds petty to me. Like you are mad at God because he gave those men the ability to play football and you the ability to sit on a couch and watch it.

Jimmy Fallon mocks Tim Tebow while doing a spot on Bowie impression

[link:

Christ had a very low opinion of people who make a spectacle of their religion to show everyone how pious they are, and he said so clearly and unambiguously. He instructed his followers to pray in private.

America...fuck yea.