Time to Think a Little Harder About the Redskins, Gibbs, Religion and Death

But there was Gibbs, shouting -- really shouting -- that Taylor had found Jesus Christ before his death and, as a result of his death, many other Redskins had also come around. This was, according to Gibbs, a blessing brought on by Taylor.

With all due respect, Gibbs's evangelical rant was totally out of line. If his claim is true, name the players and then let them talk about how Taylor's death did or did not affect their feelings about religion. If Gibbs wanted to say (for the 900th time) that the players missed Taylor and mourned Taylor and played as hard as they could to honor Taylor -- that's fine. But for him to try to turn Taylor's death into a religious revival meeting of some kind just isn't right. Especially when Taylor isn't around to discuss how he feels on the subject.

Religion is a very touchy and controversial subject in the world, in sports and in football. Because the sport is so violent and serious injury is always potentially one play away, I have found that many players find comfort in believing that a higher power has a plan or is protecting them in some way. I understand that.

But I also remember a conversation I had while researching my book on the Baltimore Ravens three years ago. Ray Lewis, the Ravens unquestioned team leader, is also a devout Christian, much like Gibbs. Before every game, even though the team said the Lord's Prayer after then-coach Brian Billick's pregame talk, he insisted on gathering the players in a circle following pregame warmups and delivering a lengthy prayer, complete with thanks for the ability to play football and requests for the strength to do what had to be done to win the game -- and keep everyone healthy.

One Ravens player who participated in the prayer told me it made him terribly uncomfortable. "It was just too much," he said. "The notion that because we prayed we were better or more deserving people always bothered me."

Why then, I asked, didn't he leave the room during the prayer. "Because if I did, Ray and the other really religious guys would notice and it would upset them. Ray's the leader of our team. I couldn't possibly go against him."

Do you think it is any easier to go against your coach? To disagree with him when he says his way is The Way?

No. Anytime you disagree with someone who invokes God, you are going to be in trouble. I'm sure I'm about to learn that lesson again. But some things need to be said, even when staying away from the topic is far easier. If Gibbs wants to say, "Hail to the Redskins," that's more than fine. But that's where the public "hails" should end.