A sporting summary of Benedict XVI’s itinerary:

The pope’s visit will begin with an April 16 reception with President Bush at the White House, followed the next day by Mass at the new baseball stadium in Washington and separate meetings with Catholic educators and leaders of other faiths.

On April 18, the pope will address the United Nations, then meet with priests and members of religious orders the next day. On April 20, he will visit ground zero and lead the Yankee Stadium Mass before leaving the country.

Two questions remain:
1. Will they install a commemorative plaque in the Yankee stadium, too?
2. Will the new Nationals Park be completed on time?

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The 2007 Weblog Awards
Based on 7,831 votes Kissing Suzy Kolber has been named the Best Sports Blog.
Based on 3,461 votes What Does the Prayer Really Say? has been named the Best Religious Blog.
Congratulations to both of them!

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ESPN reprinted the most bizzare facts about the NBA by arrangement with the publisher. Take a special look at:

First player suspended for refusing to stand for the national anthem
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf hadn’t stood for the national anthem for most of the 1995-96 season as he claimed the anthem represented tyranny and a type of “nationalist ritualism” forbidden by his religion. Two days after being suspended, Abdul-Rauf changed his tune and agreed to stand. He said he would pray while the anthem was being played.

Longest piece of biblical scripture tattooed on a player’s body
Larry Hughes left upper arm displays Psalm 23:4

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First round knockout along with the post fight interview with Robert Guerrero. First of all he thanks Jesus Christ, who makes the boxer able to cope with all the ups and downs of the last weeks. Guerrero’s wife is in hospital for cancer treatment.
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Sometimes you think you had to pray for a successful passing game. Then for Catholics it’s time to hail Mary.

Homer Simpson and Ned Flenders join their powers to create a Noah-style Super Bowl Halftime show. Come the day of the Super Bowl, the audience is a little confused by Homer’s show but seems to like it. When Ned appears and starts preaching however, the audience realize what’s going on, and accuse Homer and Ned of trying to force Christianity onto the country and boo them off the pitch.

Staging religion in a stadium may sometimes be as risky as throwing a Hail Mary Pass.

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The 2007 Weblog Awards
Voting for The 2007 Weblog Awards is now open. You can vote once a day in each category. Polls close November 8, 2007. You may vote once every 24 hours:
Vote for the Best Sports Blog.
Vote for the Best Religious Blog.

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TIME asked fans in the UK: “Are you ready for some Football?”
Guess what the first action of Players in the film is?
Pregame Prayers, of course!
And some Brits even want to host the SuperBowl.

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In Anti-Guantanamo jihadis are trained to rethink their extremist views. In a comforting area they play Ping-Pong, volleyball and video games. And it seems to work: The detainees cheer a TIME reporter for his powerful Ping-Pong forehand. They don’t care anymore that he’s an America.
Allah bless Ping-Pong!

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