In a recent opinion piece for The Huffington Post, Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, addressed the controversy surrounding the action of Kansas City Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots. After scoring, Abdullah got down on his knees and touched his head to the ground before a flag came out. “Celebrating on the ground is against NFL rules. But Husain Abdullah was praying,” explains Schmalz, who continues to discuss the theological questions raised by the players action.
“Of course, the referees didn't recognize that Husain Abdullah was praying because he was praying in Muslim fashion--his prostration in the end zone symbolized his submission to God,” writes Schmalz. “The NFL does have an exception clause for end zone celebrations that permit prayer. In backtracking on the penalty flag, the NFL is belatedly recognizing that Muslims aren't just religious: they're actually Americans--Americans who play football, among other things.”
This is a “Holy Cross in the News” item by Evangelia Stefanakos.
