Super Bowl & Faith

Kevin Spencer is the special teams coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (in case you have been on another planet for the last week or so, they are playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday). This is his first time participating in football's greatest game.

“You wonder why God puts you in a position like this,” Spencer said. “You pray a lot and you ask for guidance, but you don’t know why God decides to bless you like this.”

Spencer, who became a coach after playing the game himself, has watched countless big games on television and has seen plenty of championship moments, but now he will be a participant in the biggest match up of the year, live and in person.

“When they gave the [AFC] championship trophy to [team owner] Mr. Rooney after the game, my locker was only about two to three feet away from that and I was able to stand there and watch the entire thing in person. God is so good to me.”

Rather than being nervous about the biggest game of his career, Spencer said his faith has helped him gain a confidence during this hectic week of preparations.

“When you lean on your Christian faith, you know it’s in the Lord’s hands, who loves me and will take care of me. That helps me cope and enjoy the week.”

The Steelers' director of player development is in a similar situation...

But one of the first things he did when he checked into his room at the Steelers’ headquarters hotel was flip on the television set -- not to catch the latest headlines on ESPN or hear how great the Steelers appear to be, but to get some food -– spiritual food.

“I wanted to see if I could find some spiritual program, preaching or teaching which would lift me up,” Jackson said.

“Then I called my wife and we had a prayer over the phone about the week ahead. During the week we have the family members get together for Bible study and prayer on Wednesday night and I don’t want to miss that.”

During the season, Jackson makes a commitment not to read the newspaper because he doesn’t want to read the overly negative or positive things being written about his team. He also makes it a point to stay close to the other Christian players and coaches on the team.

“That way, we can hold each other accountable. That’s the greatest thing Christian men can do for one another,” he said.

After watching the Steelers finish off the Broncos two weeks ago to earn the Super Bowl trip, Jackson found Pittsburgh center and fellow believer Jeff Hartings for a bit of perspective.

“In two to three weeks, most people probably won’t remember who was in the Super Bowl,” Jackson said. “This will all be gone, but knowing God gave His Son Jesus to die for us, that is something that will live forever.”

Well said. Does that mean the Super Bowl isn't so bad after all? Hmm...does that mean that God favors the Steelers?