Birds of Pray: The Story of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Faith, Brotherhood, and Super Bowl Victory

PRAISE FOR BIRDS OF PRAY

If you’re a football fan you likely know the story of the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles on the field. Winning the Super Bowl was a tremendous accomplishment, but it is only half the story. Birds of Pray will give you a look at what really made the Eagles special—the tremendous spiritual bond they developed through Jesus Christ.

TONY DUNGY, Head Coach of Super Bowl XLI champion Indianapolis Colts

In Birds of Pray, Rob Maaddi captures the story of our brotherhood and the special bond we have in Christ that helped us become Super Bowl champions.

CARSON WENTZ, Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl quarterback

We wanted to win the Super Bowl. But we also knew making disciples of Jesus is our number one priority. Rob was there to see and hear that. From the pre-game huddles to baptisms in the cold tub and all the moments in between, this book tells you those stories.

ZACH ERTZ, Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl tight end

As a Bible ministry based in Philadelphia, we were thrilled to watch our courageous Eagles live out their faith and overcome the odds during an unforgettable run to the Super Bowl. Birds of Pray will inspire football fans and followers of Jesus to stand on the promises of God’s Word when facing challenges and adversity in their own lives.

DR. ROY L. PETERSON, President and CEO, American Bible Society

Rob Maaddi has been covering the Philadelphia Eagles for longer than I’ve been on the team. He has been on a faith journey with us and has witnessed our exploits both on and off the field. No one can tell the story better.

COREY CLEMENT, Philadelphia Eagles running back

Inspiring, bold, and unforgettable—get to know the Philly spirit and Eagles’ pride like never before in this book that details the faith of the Super Bowl champions.

BRANDON BROOKS, Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl left guard

Looking for proof that faith and classic underdog grit can power you forward to victory? Look no further. Birds of Pray is exactly that.

LANE JOHNSON, Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro right tackle

Our team faced tremendous odds last year, and yet we overcame and went on to capture the Super Bowl title. The world knows the headline, but this book tells the inside story from someone—a fellow brother in Christ—who was with us the whole time. Don’t miss it.

JORDAN HICKS, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker

As a member of the Eagles for some time, I was drawn to this team for their faith in the Lord and the support for one another. Rob has covered the Eagles for eighteen years. He was there nearly my entire career in Philadelphia. He knows the team, he understands their faith journey, and I know he knows the Lord. Birds of Pray is a unique look at what made the Eagles Super Bowl champs.

DAVID AKERS, Six-time Pro Bowl kicker

I cannot wait to get my hands on Birds of Pray. As a guy who has been part of those locker rooms and Bible studies and gameday morning church sessions, even I can say that this team was special and a little different in its approach. For all the great things they would individually and collectively accomplish, they made it very clear Jesus was going to be the beginning, middle, and end to every single thing they did. He would set the rhythm and heartbeat of all they did as players and everything would flow from that. Win or lose. Success or failure. As we all go through our own trials and difficulties, I’m excited to read how this Eagles team led by its quarterback with his own story of tribulation kept pointing to Jesus, no matter what.

DAN ORLOVSKY, Former NFL quarterback

ALSO BY ROB MAADDI

Baseball Faith:

52 MLB Stars Reflect on Their Faith

Football Faith:

52 NFL Stars Reflect on Their Faith

Mike Schmidt:

The Phillies’ Legendary Slugger

ZONDERVAN

Birds of Pray

Copyright © 2018 by Rob Maaddi

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Epub Edition July 2018 9780310355861

ISBN 978-0-310-35585-4 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-35587-8 (audio)

ISBN 978-0-310-35586-1 (ebook)

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

Any internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

This book is not authorized, endorsed, or licensed by the National Football League or any of its affiliates, which own or control the Super Bowl and Eagles trademarks.

Published in association with the literary agency of WordServe Literary Group, Ltd., www.wordserveliterary.com.

Cover design: Curt Diepenhorst

Cover photo: Michael Perez / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

Photo insert background: istock/courtneyk

First printing June 2018 / Printed in the United States of America

Thank you, Jesus, for making the ultimate sacrifice for

me and everyone. Thank you to my beautiful wife, Remy,

for your love, support, encouragement, and inspiring me to

be the best version of me. Thank you to my gorgeous daughters,

Alexia and Melina, for being the best daddy’s girls. Thank you to

my parents, Issa and Hayat, for your unconditional love. Special

thanks to all the Philadelphia Eagles who openly and boldly

shared their faith with me. Congratulations to the team,

the entire organization, and all the passionate fans.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

ROMANS 5:8

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction: Fan, Follower, Disciple

1. Super Bowl Morning

2. The Rejected Stone

3. Take Me to the Water

4. Audience of One

5. Making Disciples

6. Iron Sharpens Iron

7. A Firm Foundation

8. Faith without Works Is Dead

9. Thankful through the Storm

10. Unanswered Prayer

11. We All We Got, We All We Need

12. Humility That Wins

13. Carson’s Team

14. The Underdogs

15. Silencing Doubters

16. Unfinished Business

17. Respect, Not Fear

18. Super Sunday

19. Parade of Champions

20. No QB Controversy

21. Always an Eagle

22. The New Norm

FOREWORD

Getting injured last season was extremely challenging. Ever since I was a kid, I had envisioned myself holding that Lombardi Trophy up on that stage in my uniform. Obviously, my season was cut short. I still believed we would do that as a team, but now I wouldn’t be the guy up there. I had to swallow my pride and walk through that with God and really trust Him and his faithfulness. I truly believed that God was writing a different story and my reach would be so much more effective because of the hardships I was going through. My favorite thing about it was that at the end of the day, Jesus Christ took all of the glory through Nick Foles and Coach Doug Pederson on that stage.

In Birds of Pray, Rob Maaddi captures the story of our brotherhood and the special bond we have in Christ that helped us become Super Bowl champions.

There are things the world idolizes, like money and fame, but that’s not what it’s all about. I see a lot of guys who have so-called everything but truly have nothing. I believe everyone, inside of themselves, is longing for something. Money, fame, sports, and so many things can be an idol and fill that void, but they won’t last. That void can only be permanently filled by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I challenge you to go to Him and to seek Him. The Bible says: When you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. He will not only change your life here on earth, but He’ll give you eternal rest with Him forever.

Carson Wentz

INTRODUCTION: FAN, FOLLOWER, DISCIPLE

I used to party with professional athletes. Now, I pray with them.

I began covering Philadelphia sports teams full-time in 2000. It was a dream job for a kid who grew up a few miles from the stadium complex in South Philly.

Since I was a kid, I’ve always been a diehard sports fan. Loved to watch and loved to play even more. Still do, though years of throwing my body around on baseball and football fields have taken a toll. I tore my left ACL after intercepting a pass in a touch football game. I tore thumb ligaments diving headfirst into second base in a college baseball game. The list is long.

I was reckless on the field, and for years I was even more reckless off it.

Partying with athletes in bars and nightclubs led me down the wrong path. I couldn’t compete with pros at their sport. So I tried to compete with them where I could. It was all about hooking up with the most beautiful girls. I went from one unfaithful relationship to another, beginning with my first marriage. I was the ultimate womanizer and proud of it. I even justified my behavior, convincing myself that socializing with players would allow me to earn their trust and get big scoops. It takes hard work to break news, and I was willing to go above and beyond the job description. But while we were out, I spent more time chasing women than chasing stories.

I played wing man one night for a star player going into his free agency offseason after he promised I would get the first call the second he signed with a new team only to have his agent give the news to another reporter.

My partying paid off the time I was the only reporter celebrating future Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens’s thirty-second birthday at Jay Z’s 40/40 club in Atlantic City just a few weeks after T.O. was kicked off the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005. I got an exclusive that night thanks to the two girls who led me past security for the invitation-only event.

I saw things that would’ve filled a celebrity gossip column but never said a word. I honored the guy code and worked harder to preserve my relationships with athletes than saving my marriage.

I thought my wild lifestyle was under control. I didn’t really drink alcohol. I never smoked anything or tried any drugs. I didn’t go to strip clubs. Womanizing was my vice. And the whole time running around, I was a very religious guy. I prayed. I went to Mass. I sinned. I went to confession. I started over. The cycle repeated.

I even got four religious tattoos as if I could ink my way to heaven. The third one is a dove, the symbol for the Holy Spirit. It’s inked on my right outer thigh surrounded by these words: Holy Spirit Guide Me. Looking back, I admit it was a cry for help. I got it a year after my divorce. My ex-wife said, The Holy Spirit won’t guide you if you don’t let him. I’ve never forgotten those words. But I ignored that wisdom a little while longer.

I grew up in the church and went to Catholic schools for twelve years, so I knew all about Jesus. I was a big fan. But I didn’t know Him personally.

I had a great life on the outside. Nice cars. Fantastic job. Beautiful house in New Jersey in a suburban neighborhood. Surrounded by gorgeous girls. I worked out religiously and invested a ton of time on my outward appearance because I was ugly inside. Deep down, my behavior bothered me. I was unfulfilled, never satisfied, always searching and seeking something else or someone new.

Finally, my life changed dramatically when I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior on my third trip to Times Square Church in New York City on August 29, 2010. I heard the powerful testimony of a former drug dealer who said a cop took his stash during a raid, threw it out, and told him he was giving him a second chance. He ran off and never looked back, turned his life around, and became a minister.

The Holy Spirit had been tugging at my heart, and God had been placing people in my life who were planting seeds. That was the last push I needed. I answered the altar call that Sunday evening. I put my ego aside, walked down from the rafters of the amphitheater, and stood in the front of the church. With tears in my eyes and years of guilt in my heart, I invited Jesus into my life. I asked Him to help me overcome my problem and promised to take Him everywhere I went. I left that church with an overwhelming sense of peace that has never left me.

I went from being a fan of Jesus to being a follower that day. It was the best decision I ever made. I didn’t leave Jesus at church anymore. I made Him Lord of all. I realized a relationship with Christ is more fulfilling than all the rules and rituals of religion that I had followed faithfully but left me broken.

My life didn’t instantly become easier or better. Christianity isn’t a magic pill. Problems don’t disappear, and there are consequences for past actions, but Christ equips us with the armor to fight our inner and outer battles. I no longer had to fight on my own. I turned to Jesus to help me whenever temptation came, whenever the enemy attacked me, whenever I felt weak. I learned to avoid putting myself in situations that could lead me to fail. I started to surround myself with like-minded Christians who would encourage me in my walk rather than enablers who were bringing me down. I began to gravitate toward Christian players in the Eagles locker room to discuss Scripture instead of making plans to party.

A few years later, I joined the Deacons Prison Ministry softball team. We travel across several states to share the gospel with inmates. After sharing my testimony for the first time on a rainy afternoon at a prison in West Virginia on July 27, 2015, I knew God’s plan for me. He turned my mess into His message. I was called to be a disciple. Spreading the gospel became my passion, and I’ve been on a mission to do everything I can to increase the kingdom, to inspire and enlighten nonbelievers, and encourage and challenge believers to dig deeper in their faith and move them toward action. I even took the unconventional road of starring in a reality television series with my wife, Remy, so we could use that platform to share Christ.

I met Remy six months after I came to Christ. She’s the most beautiful