Being a quarterback in professional football requires leadership like no other single position in professional sports. It is no surprise then that Catholic quarterbacks during and after their playing days also are often more outspoken about their faith.

In fact they take on leadership roles in transmitting the faith through public speaking or even ministry.

Currently Philip Rivers of the Los Angeles Chargers is a great example and witness to the pro-life and pro-family message. Kellen Clemens, a devout Catholic who has played for five NFL teams, is also very involved in the pro-life movement and helps try to get pro-life candidates elected.

The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most storied and successful franchises in all of sports around the globe. They have been referred to as “America’s team” and have a huge following. During one of their most successful periods they had a Hall of Fame Catholic quarterback named Roger Staubach (1971-79). He led the team to two Super Bowls. When he speaks to crowds he tells all who will listen that in life and faith they need to have fortitude and to work hard with “unspectacular (looking) preparation for spectacular results.”

During challenging times, “You must have a perseverance within your Catholic faith to do the right thing when facing obstacles.”

He encourages all to consider the good of everyone they deal with, thinking always of others rather than self.

Staubach entered football lore when interviewed after throwing a desperation last-second game-winning touchdown pass in the playoffs, referring to it as a “Hail Mary” throw. That term has now become part of football language. “The blessed Virgin is proud of me for that; we have a great relationship.”

He addresses the idea of never giving up on yourself or on God. Another dominant theme Staubach refers to is family, especially respect for parents. “Your parents’ lives have been wrapped around you; always remind them that you love them.”

While Elvis Grbac is not in the Hall of Fame, he was on one Super Bowl Championship team while playing with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994. He also set club records while with the Kansas City Chiefs in the late 1990s and played in the Pro Bowl.

Though raised as a Catholic, Grbac’s faith (like many athletes) did not play a central role in his life during the early part of his career. Now Grbac is a Catholic inspirational speaker who is pursuing a master’s degree in theology while progressing through the permanent diaconate program. He especially works in men’s ministry.

He said that as he approached his 20s, “My faith had lost its saltiness and Jesus said that this salt is no good except to be trampled underfoot.”

He says he now stares at the cross like he did when he was 10 and contemplates what Jesus did for him (and all of us). He emphasizes that “Sin is about self and the short term, while virtue is about God and the long term. Sin wears an appearance of happiness despite containing misery, while virtue is about getting past appearances and seeing things in light of death, judgment, hell and heaven.”

He loves his (and our) divine filiation, being a son of God. He answers the age-old question of the meaning of life by saying “We are meant to spend eternity with God so the only thing that will matter is how well we lived out God’s plan for us.”

Grbac believes every activity or task during one’s day must be seen as an interaction with God. He feels blessed not only in having the sports career that he did but also in now having the opportunity to use his fame to reach people.

The Catholic Church is getting better at utilizing the fame of athletes in apostolate work, but we need to keep expanding this initiative given the immense influence that sports has on North American society today. Both of these men were leaders on the field and now off the field. As NFL quarterbacks they have led men to victory in Super Bowls and now they have the task of leading men and families to the ultimate victory of heaven.