“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate this thing called life.” I don’t know if Prince was aware of the controversy surrounding this years Super Bowl, but when he spoke these words—words reminiscent of a Church service—to open the halftime show, it certainly set the stage for a huge debate. Just what kind of ‘life” is the National Football League (NFL) interested in promoting.

Two short hours before our February 4th Super Bowl party, I got an email from a friend asking if we were still able to show the game here in Orting. The internet was ablaze with stories of how NFL lawyers had sent letters to several churches across the country demanding they cease and desist from all “Super Bowl” related activities. Despite intense criticism from the public, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello was firm in the league’s decision to crack down on community events hosted by churches. Some lawyers, like Mike Johnson of the Alliance Defense Fund, believe the NFL’s decision is based on a religious discrimination. From my perspective, to reduce this decision from the NFL to one of religion is far too short-sighted. I think this decision to stop all community Super Bowl events is less about religious bigotry and more about making a profit at the expense of strong families.

The NFL is clear; they do not want any unapproved message connected with their game. When asked why they targeted churches that show a halftime Gospel presentation, NFL attorney Rachel Margolies wrote, “While this may be a noble message, we are consistent in refusing the use of our game broadcasts in connection with events that promote a message, no matter the content.” But is this accurate? Does the NFL want to shut down all messages or just ones that don’t generate direct profit? The NFL is interested in promoting a message, but their message is not one that is beneficial to a healthy family or a strong community. As the artist Prince gathered his “congregation” to celebrate life, I think it is only fair to examine closely the message NFL wants us to celebrate.

This football season was filled with stories of players hooked on drugs, arrested for criminal acts, and who demonstrated the worst kind of sportsmanship. The NFL continues to allow these men to play, not because they reflect a responsible message, but because they generate profit. Is this the message you, as a parent, teacher or coach, teach your kids? Is this the message we, as a community, want to promote in our school athletics? Our kids learn by our example, not our words, and the message sent out this past year from professional football has been clear.

The approved commercials for the Super Bowl were filled with many messages which the NFL is pleased to promote in connection with their game. Aside from the traditional selection of beer ads, families were treated to a Go Daddy commercial featuring a busty brunette dancing on a table being sprayed with alcohol to wet down her white t-shirt, another one showed a grocery store clerk getting turned on by all the Doritos flavors and then having sex at her check stand with a customer, Chevy thought the best way to promote their vehicle was to feature half-naked men writhing around on top of a car full of women, GM was proud to sell their cars by showing an out of work and depressed assembly-line machine committing suicide, and Snickers featured two male mechanics accidentally kissing while eating a candy bar. Each of these commercials reflects the kind of message endorsed by the NFL and the kind of life they want their viewers to celebrate. Does anyone else see a conflict between these messages and the ones promoted by local parties hosted by church families?

The NFL has tried to conceal their goal of profit at any cost by hiding behind some specific copyright laws they selectively enforce. They have expressed concern that churches are skewing their Nielson ratings, using screens over 52” or multiple screens in the same room, and that some were charging a fee to get in. Yet the obvious exception to every single one of these rules is the numerous sports-bars and pubs that show the game each year. It is clear the kind of message the NFL does want to promote, but what kind of message offends them so much that they are willing to threaten legal action?

According to Yahoo News, a number of Nashville churches planned to host the homeless, feeding them, washing their clothes, letting them watch the game on big-screen TVs and giving them a bed to sleep in on Super Bowl Sunday. Apparently the NFL does not approve of people using their game to serve the homeless community.

Our own Reunion Church-sponsored Super Bowl party here in Orting featured inflatables, games, a food drive for needy families, an effort to raise support for some low-income high school kids, a halftime message of faith featuring several Seattle Seahawks, and a place where families could watch together in a fun party atmosphere. Apparently the NFL does not approve of people using their game to create family-friendly communities. I can not help but think if we would have served alcohol and featured half naked table dancers, the NFL would be proud to stand by us and support our message.

Let me be clear, the issue facing us is not religious bigotry. The issue is not about hurt feelings or finding reason for offense in the NFL’s approved message. For Reunion Church, this issue is not even a legal one because if showing the game as a benefit to our community violates the NFL’s selective enforcement of the law then we will not host another Super Bowl event. In the end, the issue brought out by the NFL threatening to sue churches for showing is the Super Bowl is about making a profit at any cost. Prince’s opening words make the contrast very clear. When the NFL gathers their “congregation” they only want one message coming out; “make a profit at any cost.” That is why the NFL is proud to take a stand against local churches who seek to make a difference rather than make a buck.

Fans can contact the NFL’s New York office at 212-450-2000 and share your thoughts on this issue. The commissioner is Roger Goodell.

This article was published in Feb. 13, 2007 issue of our local paper, The Gazette.

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