Within Catholic church communities most people know what a contribution Knights of Columbus members make within the parish and throughout communities worldwide.
These men and their supporting families come from all backgrounds and careers. So it should be no surprise that many Knights over the years have been prominent athletes who have not only impacted the sports they play but have spread and lived the Gospel message.
Some very significant sports stars over the last century who have been Knights include Major League Baseball’s larger than life Babe Ruth (home run leader for many years) and the National Football League’s legendary coach Vince Lombardi (after whom the championship trophy is named).
In recent years, numerous Knights have had an impact on North American sports both on and off the field of play.
For many years during the 1950s and ’60s Floyd Patterson was the greatest heavyweight boxer in the world. He had grown up in poverty and illiterate, but he ended up building a career that saw him win 55 fights and an Olympic gold medal.
At the age of 21 he became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, and he is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In retirement he trained his son Tracy to world champion status, making them the only father and son to accomplish this feat.
There are many other dimensions to this incredible man that even boxing fans are not aware of. He was considered a very sportsmanlike boxer, often helping opponents up off the mat. At the age of 22, he converted to Catholicism, and his faith ultimately become a driving force in his life.
When Patterson was once asked about being a Catholic in a violent sport, he responded, “If the Church forbade boxing I would stop boxing” (Knights of Columbus: An Illustrated History).
Soon after his conversion he joined the Knights of Columbus and helped bring the Eucharist to seniors’ homes. He walked with Martin Luther King in his civil rights march and as a result was once confronted by an angry crowd when going to a match. He was helped by a Catholic priest who brought him back to his rectory. Patterson was a leader in getting racially integrated boxing venues.
Jackie Robinson was the first black player in Major League Baseball. While his career was a painful journey at times due to the abuse he put up with, he did have a couple of Knights of Columbus teammates and friends who supported him and had his back.
Eddie Stanky and Gil Hodges, both well-known players at the time, helped Robinson through tough times, especially Hodges, who became a bit of a mentor. Hodges was considered the best first baseman of the 1950s and remains “one of the most beloved and admired players in Dodger team history” (New York Daily News). “He was a great player but even a greater man” (Duke Snider). He was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame and was also a Knight of Columbus.
There are two retired NFL football players who are Knights and have similar backgrounds. Matt Birk was an all-star offensive tackle who played 15 years in the NFL. He won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. He was a winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. He is a devout Catholic and a member of the Knights Council 4184. He and his wife Adrianna have eight children and are very active in the pro-life movement. Birk has spoken at the U.S. March for Life several times. He is also involved with several other charitable organizations including pregnancy centres in Minnesota, the concussion care program After the Impact, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s immersive theatre production A Game for Life.
Chris Godfrey also had a very successful career as an offensive lineman with the New York Giants, where he won a Super Bowl in 1987. He was a member of the Knights, with whose assistance he made a pro-life video. Soon after retirement he founded Life Athlete, which was a group of professional athletes who were dedicated to pro-life. He and the other members do speaking engagements. Godfrey himself has visited numerous schools promoting the Catholic faith and family values.
There have been Knights of Columbus members who have impacted every walk of life, and certainly the sports world has been one of the biggest recipients of their faith, love, and charity.
