| Sports activities are the number one extracurricular activity among today's young people. The industry of sports attracts millions of viewers each year and has become a multi-billion dollar business. The once innocent and heroic form of leisure activity is now marked by the scandals of talented athletes who fall short of heroic accolades. In many instances, our favorite sports have been hijacked by steroid abuse, sexual immorality, and illegal activity and in the seediest of cases, murder. This is why we need Champions of Faith.
See the Champions of Faith Trailer
Listen to our interview with Tom Allen, producer of Champions of Faith, at CatholicSpotlight.com.
Champions of Faith : Baseball Edition on DVD is a groundbreaking film that showcases the intersection of sports and faith in Major League Baseball by profiling many of the most accomplished and devout figures in the game both on and off the field. Major League baseball champions Mike Piazza, David Eckstein, Jeff Suppan, Mike Sweeney, Jack McKeon and Rich Donnelly lead an All-Star line-up in this moving and uplifting sports special that tells the story of champions of faith in baseball like no other film ever made.
Shot in breath-taking Hi-def video and set to a rousing musical score and soundtrack featuring Grammy Award-winning Third Day and legendary recording artist Bob Dylan, Champions of Faith : Baseball Edition serves to humanize some of the most celebrated and accomplished ballplayers of our time and restore the “sports hero” to its proper place in the American culture. You will laugh, cry, stand, cheer and be awed by the captivating personal stories captured in these interviews and the thrilling game highlights provided by Major League Baseball Productions. Champions of Faith is the inaugural production of Catholic Exchange's new film & video division and provides some of the biggest names in our national pastime with a unique forum to discuss faith, family, teamwork, sacrifice, leadership, humility and the many virtues and spiritual lessons they have learned from the game.
The players, coaches, and managers interviewed for this project and featured in this film include Mike Piazza, David Eckstein, Mike Sweeney, Jeff Suppan, Jack McKeon, Tom Glavine, Craig Biggio, Sean Casey, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Jim Leyland, Mike Scioscia, Lance Berkman, Tim Salmon, Juan Pierre, Mark Prior, Carlos Beltran, Ozzie Guillen, A.J. Pierzynski, Chris Speier, Rich Donnelly, Sandy Alomar, Sr., Sandy Alomar Jr., Mark Teahen, and former players Darrell Miller and Sal Bando. Champions of Faith : Baseball Edition provides an emotionally powerful, action-packed glimpse into what makes a baseball player – and a human being – great.
See the Champions of Faith World Premiere
Tom Allen, president and editor-in-chief of Catholic Exchange, distribution executive of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ , and co-author of the million-selling A Guide to the Passion, is the Executive Producer of Champions of Faith. Veteran Chicago television and radio sportscaster and Host of Catholic Exchange Today, John Morales, narrates this powerful film. The production team of Emmy-winning producer Lino Rulli and photojournalist Dean Krueger bring over 20 years of television experience to Champions of Faith. They have won some of the nation's top awards in journalism working for NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, CBS Television, and network stations and affiliates across the country.
See also the sequel: Champions of Faith DVD - The Bases of Life and Champions of Faith DVD Set.
Endorsements:
"Champions of Faith is a unique intersection of Catholicism and culture that highlights the importance of discussions of faith in the public arena. I was very impressed that these men who are so successful in the world of sports not only attribute their achievements to their faith but also make clear that without faith in God their success would be hollow. This entertaining and moving film breaks new ground in giving cultural icons an opportunity to be part of a high quality film and at the same time to speak lovingly of Jesus Christ and how their spiritual lives have enriched their professional careers. This is a prime example of what the Church needs to be doing to reach people where they are. It is a beautiful
expression of evangelization through media."
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia
Champions of Faith succeeds in uplifting young people with the stories of authentic and admirable baseball heroes who are totally open in revealing the role religious faith plays in their lives as Christians. This engaging production ought to be shared and discussed with youths in schools, religious education
classes and team meetings. To me, it's a nine-inning faith classic!
Bishop Ignatius Catanello, Auxiliary Bishop , Diocese of Brooklyn
I thought CHAMPIONS OF FAITH was terrific. The witness to Christ of these baseball stars and their unapologetic love of the Catholic Church was truly inspiring. I hope many of our youth will get to see this wonderful film. I am happy to offer my endorsement.
Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix
"The superb quality of the Champions of Faith film will significantly benefit the Christian media movement in general. It is very powerful when such iconic figures like Mike Sweeney, Mike Piazza and Jeff Suppan step out and speak publicly about their faith. Hopefully this film will bring even more momentum to the growing trend of bringing uplifting and encouraging messages about faith to our culture."
Chuck Colson Founder of Prison Fellowship and BreakPoint
"Repeatedly, the Vatican has called for the aggressive use of the media to promote the Faith. Unfortunately, in the midst of so many noble media efforts, there has been a huge gap in materials that really communicate to men. It appears that the tide may be turning. The new DVD, Champions of Faith, is just the kind of media tool that will reach men ? even those men who seem uninterested in the Faith. Athletes who have trained and disciplined their bodies and developed their athletic talent to reach the majors automatically earn the respect of other men. When such athletes exhibit virtue and encourage faithfulness to Christ and His Church, other men sit up and listen. This DVD is a perfect gift for any man, a great resource for youth groups, and an ideal tool for fathers and sons to watch together. Highly recommended!"
Steve Wood Founder, St. Joseph's Covenant Keepers Author, Christian Fatherhood Host of The Carpenter Shop and Faith & Family
"My congratulations to all involved in this creative evangelization tool! I believe this will be a powerful tool for the youth to grow in their appreciation of the faith as well as the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I was very impressed with the testimony of Jack McKeon and the other athletes."
Fr. Kevin Lixey, LC Vatican Sports Office
There has never been anything quite like Champions of Faith. It is as inspiring as it is professionally crafted. Guaranteed to touch to all Catholics, the film demonstrates the role that Catholicism plays in the life of some of today's greatest baseball players and managers. As such it acts as a perfect soundboard for discussions at home and in the classroom. I highly recommend it!
William A. Donohue, Ph.D., President, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
Champions of Faith is filled with power packed testimonies from some faithful men of God - who just happen to be famous athletes. Mike Sweeney of the Kansas City Royals is one of the men featured in the film, and is the Life Teen National Spokesperson. After watching the video you wonder if these guys are real - from what I know of Mike Sweeney - this story is true and inspiring. A must have for families, sports teams and anyone who works with young people. A great film for your family!
Randy Raus, President / CEO Life Teen
"The story just unfolded so velvety and every piece was great and very inspiring . There's many times I was in tears just from the emotion of it - from everybody's story. I've had some great moments in my life but being part of this and being able to tell people about my story is one of my proudest moments."
Mike Piazza, Designated Hitter for the Oakland A's, 12-time All-Star
"It was very exciting and very inspirational to see the other players share their faith. I think it's going to be a great tool of evangelization . I think that if you have influence in the Catholic world, I think you should tell people to buy this film because I think it's going to spread the Word of God. I give it two thumbs up and it's very, very inspirational."
Jeff Suppan, Pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, MVP for 2006 NCLS
"To me it felt like Christmas, New Year's Eve, my birthday and Easter morning all wrapped into one, seeing this film Champions of Faith. I've never been more proud of anything in my life. More proud than anything that I've done on the baseball field. This is something that I can hang my hat on . This is something that I can show to my kids and grandkids someday. It truly is a treasure . I'm so blessed to be a part of it. I think that every person in America needs to watch this film."
Mike Sweeney, Captain of the Kansas City Royals, 5-time All Star
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