Conversations

Doug Greengard, 41, recently completed his second season as chaplain for the New Orleans Saints. As a chaplain, author, speaker, director of Greengard Ministries and host of the syndicated radio show Christian Sports Minute (christiansportsminute.com), Greengard spends many of his days ministering to and with professional athletes. Recently, Greengard spoke with Kirk Noonan, associate editor, about the realities of life for NFL players.

PE: What is one of the biggest struggles players face?

GREENGARD: Many professional athletes find their identity in what they do, which means their identity can change depending on how well they played in their last practice or game. That life has no peace or joy. It’s like being on a roller coaster. I tell players that God does not change the way He looks at us based on our performance. If we accept Him as Savior, we are His children and in the hands of a loving Father.

PE: Do a lot of non-Christians attend team chapels?

GREENGARD: Not as many as I would like. We are seeing a lot of players come who are committed to their walk, but we’re not seeing a lot of seekers. Jesus came to seek those who are lost, and that is my heart. I want to see guys who are walking with the Lord grow in Him, but I also want to share God’s Word with those who are searching.

PE: What are your primary responsibilities as an NFL chaplain?

GREENGARD: During the football season we are church for many of the players. But it is also my job to encourage and disciple them throughout the week. Chaplains feed the players spiritually, encourage them, pray with and for them and impart God’s Word to them.

PE: What are some of the biggest obstacles keeping players from Christ?

GREENGARD: There is a lot of pride in the NFL. These players have beaten the odds; they are the cream of the crop. They are involved in a physical sport and they have accomplished something great, so the world tells them they are the best things ever to walk the earth. It’s easy to get caught up in that. Yet being great at football only brings a temporary sense of accomplishment; it can never bring lasting peace or joy.

PE: What’s your take on a Christian football player when he does something unbecoming during a game?

GREENGARD: We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Living the Christian life is a growing and maturing process. Christians should not look for Christian football players to be perfect. We are all growing in our walk and the only true model of what we should be striving for is Christ.

PE: Dispel a few myths about the NFL.

GREENGARD: Some people think that once a player gets to the NFL he has it all and will lead a perfect life. But success, if you are not prepared for it, can be a huge problem.

Playing in the NFL is not the ultimate answer to happiness; only Jesus is. According to one study, within two years of an NFL player’s last game, 78 percent are bankrupt, divorced or unemployed. That tells me that all the stuff that comes with playing in the NFL is only temporary.

PE: How should Christians be praying for NFL players?

GREENGARD: The same way they would pray for anyone they come in contact with who does not have a relationship with the Lord. Also pray that Christian players will continue to grow and glorify the Lord in all they say and do. Let us, the Christian fans, serve through prayer and encouragement. When we pray, our prayers have power.

E-mail your comments to pe@ag.org.