Baltimore Ravens Chaplain Talks ‘Blessing’ of Faith and Football
By Movieguide® Contributor
The Baltimore Ravens locker room is focused on faith.
Movieguide® previously reported:
“It is amazing to see this happening in the Ravens locker room. I’m not sure how many NFL teams are doing this, but this is absolutely special,” Christhete wrote on Instagram along with a video of Harbaugh and the Ravens.
The video shows the team take a knee before praying from Matthew 6:9-13: “Thank you, Lord. Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
The team’s full-time chaplain, Johnny Shelton, opened up about what it’s like to serve the Ravens in that capacity.
“The blessing is being able to be in the building full-time,” he told TODAY.com. “Things that come up where people need to talk, or they want advice.”
The players most often come to Shelton to talk about “football, pressure, family pressure, relationship issues, etc.”
“Life is hard enough,” he continued. “And at the flip side of that, football is hard enough. So when you put those two together it’s just crazy.”
The chaplain also prays for the players.
“I pray for the safety, for their minds and their hearts to be clear,” Shelton expressed. “To be able to focus on the task at hand, and they will literally come up, and some of them will ask f0r prayer personally.”
Players like Marvin Humphrey sometimes come to Shelton to talk about football, but for the most part, it’s “just life.”
“Even sometimes when it is football, it is more so just how could I have more of a leadership role,” Humprey said.
Anthony Weaver added, “We’re football players. We assume we’re alphas. We can solve and figure out everything. And it’s not natural to turn to somebody for help and for guidance. [Shelton] makes that easy.”
On his social media, Shelton rarely remains quiet about his faith.
The chaplain is vocal about his faith on social media, too.
“It’s GAMEDAY!!! Lord Thank You for allowing us to see another day!!!” he wrote ahead of the Raven’s game against the Miami Dolphins. “On this last day of 2023 May we FINISH with PURPOSE!!! I pray that men will steward the gifts that You have blessed them with for Your Glory!!! In Jesus Name we play!! Amen #LordsSupper #HolyCommunion#GuardYourHeart.”
On Christmas, Shelton posted, “It’s Christmas & Gameday and we give honor and wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST!!! Thx to You for allowing us to see another Day!! Thank You for sending Your servant @pastordanvera to remind us to say ‘YES’ to You and that You know the plans that You have for us!!! Now Lord have Your way in the hearts of these men as they prepare their hearts and minds to compete in this game!! Let Your will be done on that field tonight as it is in heaven!! I pray that they will be great stewards of the gifts that You have given them!!! In the matchless name of Jesus Christ we pray!!! Amen!!!”
Movieguide® previously reported on the Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh:
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is heading into his 16th season with the team, knowing that his success comes from God.
Harbaugh frequently discusses when he gave his life to Christ at Miami (OH) University.
“Two teammates invited me to a Bible study. I was intrigued by the Bible’s logic. Things started clicking about God, the universe, sin and Christ’s death on the cross. Before long, I surrendered myself to Christ,” he shared. “I remember walking home thinking, ‘If I fall on the ground and die right now, I’m right with God.’ I felt a real freedom,” the Gospel Light Society reported his saying.
“Really, it comes down to trust, I do believe,” he stated on the SportsSpectrum podcast. “I trust providence. I trust God’s will, His plan. As much as anything, try to put it in His hands because when you look back, you can see where He’s brought you.”
