Anyone who knows me is aware
that I have little interest in professional athletics. I don’t financial support athletic events
with my attendance … because I think they are cost prohibitive to all Americans,
and the athletes are grossly over-paid.
And because professional athletes are so idolized that kids and adults
will wear their pricey jerseys, I get particularly alarmed by their less-than
exemplary life as revealed by the media and photographed by the paparazzi.
However, once in a while, an
athlete does something admirable. Such
is the case with former NFL center Matt Birk … who has
never been afraid to share his political views.
He recently made a stand by declining a trip to the White House.
Birk, who played 10-years with the Minnesota Vikings and won a Super Bowl this past season with the Baltimore Ravens, skipped the customary White House invitation and meeting with President Barack Obama when the rest of his former Baltimore Ravens teammates went to the White House.
Birk said he made a stand because of recent comments made by Obama. “I wasn't there,” Birk told KFAN radio in Minneapolis, MN. “I would say this … I have great respect for the office of the presidency but about five or six weeks ago, our president made a comment in a speech and he said, ‘God bless Planned Parenthood.’”
Birk, a devout Christian, has taken public stances before, especially recently when it has come to gay rights issues. Birk notably clashed publicly with former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, who has been vocal in his support for gay rights.
Birk, who played 10-years with the Minnesota Vikings and won a Super Bowl this past season with the Baltimore Ravens, skipped the customary White House invitation and meeting with President Barack Obama when the rest of his former Baltimore Ravens teammates went to the White House.
Birk said he made a stand because of recent comments made by Obama. “I wasn't there,” Birk told KFAN radio in Minneapolis, MN. “I would say this … I have great respect for the office of the presidency but about five or six weeks ago, our president made a comment in a speech and he said, ‘God bless Planned Parenthood.’”
Birk, a devout Christian, has taken public stances before, especially recently when it has come to gay rights issues. Birk notably clashed publicly with former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, who has been vocal in his support for gay rights.
So, when Obama made his remarks about Planned Parenthood, Birk decided to
protest the issue by missing out on his chance to visit the White House with
the rest of the champion Ravens. “Planned Parenthood performs about
330,000 abortions a year,” Birk told the radio station. “I am Catholic, I am
active in the Pro-Life movement and I just felt like I couldn't deal with that.
I couldn't endorse that in any way.”
Birk added: “I'm very confused by the statement. For God to bless a place where they're ending
330,000 lives a year? I just chose not
to attend.”
Birk, a Harvard graduate who is well respected, retired this off-season after spending 14-years in the NFL with Minnesota and Baltimore.
Birk, a Harvard graduate who is well respected, retired this off-season after spending 14-years in the NFL with Minnesota and Baltimore.
I’m impressed with Matt Birk. I just might purchase his jersey!
Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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