Faith Held High

Last week, the Orange County (FL) Public School (OCPS), recently told school leaders and athletic directors last week that chaplains would no longer be allowed after receiving a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. In full disclosure, it should be noted that I was educated in the Orange County Public School system and have a child currently in the system.  Upon learning of this decision, I was saddened, embarrassed and offended.  As an athlete many years ago at Orlando Boone, we commonly had prayer ahead of and after games.

Each and every Pop Warner awards banquet for young athletes I have ever attended began with a prayer. Faith, family, friends, food and football; all part of the heritage of life in Central Florida.

And, in sports across the fruited plain.

It certainly is in my home state of Nebraska, where it was an integral part of the storied program ran at the University of Nebraska under legendary coach Tom Osborne.  And it was at my alma mater, Florida State University under the winningest coach in college football history, Bobby Bowden.


Bowden and Osborne formed a fast friendship upon their first meeting, due in large measure to their common membership and leadership in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Their friendship continues today, with both coaches continuing to speak on behalf of Christianity whenever given the chance.

Good on em!

In fact, giving testimony, Bobby Bowden has a new book out, titled "The Wisdom of Faith" and joined the group on the curvy couch over at FOX & Friends earlier this week. In a great interview, Bowden spoke about his life as a Christian, speaking of history in his family which offered him opportunities to expand his faith.

Elisabeth Hasselback asked Bowden about the OCPS decision, and he said about prayer he "would do it anyway" and did so at Florida State, not caring about political correctness.  It may sound like high stakes for a riverboat gambler like Bowden, but when you have his faith it is easy to know what is principled and do the right thing.


The idiots over at OCPS who said no faith in football could learn quite a bit from Coach Bowden and his new book. Georgia head coach Mark Richt sure did.

Coach Bowden will be here in Orlando in September given further testimony. I look forward, as always, to visiting with him and joining him in prayer.