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| Don Davis (courtesy photo) |
By Katie Thompson
Gordon College News Service
January 31, 2012
(This story appeared January 31, 2012, online at The Salem News.)
Denver Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow’s openly
religious behavior in the National Football League this season captured the
attention of the nation. But this week Patriots’ chapel coordinator Don Davis
is interested in getting the attention of his players the night before they
face the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5.
Davis, 39, is responsible for organizing non-denominational
chapel services and setting up speakers for home and away games. Though he
currently lives in Leesburg, VA., he often speaks himself, as he will this
weekend in Indianapolis. He also serves as the Director of NFL Programs for Pro
Athlete Outreach and is the Regional Director of the National Football League
Players Association.
The optional chapel services, which are held for
players the night before every home and away game and every Sunday morning for
players’ families, typically last for 20 to 30 minutes. Davis said chapel
topics vary on a needs basis, but that it’s common for speakers to select
topics such as why players should strive to be the best they can be on—and
off—the field, motivated by serving their team and God.
“It’s typical for a speaker to try to tie the
message into football,” Davis said. “I’m going to take a different approach [in
the message the night before the Super Bowl].”
Not a newcomer to the NFL, Davis spent eleven
years a defensive player in the league, including four seasons with the
Patriots that earned him two Super Bowl rings. Davis led regular Bible study
discussions for his teammates while with the Patriots from 2003-2006. After
retiring in 2007, he was hired as the Patriots’ assistant strength training
coach and team chaplain for the next season. He was the official chaplain of
the team from 2007-2009, a position that no longer exists within the
organization.
Davis also refers players to Paul Friesen, 61, of
Bedford, Mass., who leads a weekly couples Bible study with his wife Virginia
for Patriots’ players and their wives. The couple has led the study for twelve
years. Friesen said the group meets every Thursday nigh during the season at
different locations including homes, churches or Gillette Stadium for a meal
and a discussion around particular passages of scripture.
“The focus is always on marriage,” said Friesen.
“Not football.”
Friesen said that the number of players and their
wives in the group varies from season to season, but this season there are six
couples who consistently attend.
Though the couples study didn’t meet this last
week, Friesen said he and his wife have been sending emails of encouragement to
the players as they prepare for the Super Bowl game.
The Patriots last appearance in the Super Bowl
was in 2008 when the team suffered a 17-14 loss to the New York Giants, and
Davis said he knows the Patriots players are prepared for the game.
“When you’re a player all the X’s and O’s are
done by Thursday,” he said.
That’s why he hopes to inspire team members this
Saturday night with a talk that goes beyond football.
“My message is about regardless of outcome, what
will your legacy be?” he said. “Winning a Super Bowl championship is great, but
what will you be known for outside of football?”
Davis said that on average 15 to 20 players
attend chapel services, though he anticipates attendance could be higher for
this week’s pre-game gathering. The chapel service will take place at the
Patriots’ team hotel in Indianapolis the night before the game.
Davis, who was in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl this
past week, will be in the stands watching Super Bowl XLVI. When asked if he’ll
have access to Patriots’ locker room after the game for what he hopes will be a
celebration, he laughed.
“I
certainly hope so.”
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