Last year Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker spent the days after winning the Super Bowl in silent prayer.
This year, he’s encouraging believers to use an app for that.
Butker has joined Mark Wahlberg, Mario Lopez, “The Passion of the Christ” star Jim Caviezel and other Catholic celebrities to promote a 40-day prayer challenge on Hallow, which claims to be the No. 1 prayer app in the world.
They kicked off the campaign last week, posting social media images of themselves wearing ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. The 40 days of prayer, fasting and abstinence prepare Christians for the celebration of Easter.
It was also the day of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade and rally in Kansas City, which ended in a mass shooting that left a Chiefs fan dead and dozens injured.
“Today is Ash Wednesday the start of Lent,” Butker said in an Instagram post made at Union Station before the shooting. “I had to keep Christ number one by going to Mass this morning. I got my ashes as you can see.
“I want to encourage everyone to grow closer to Christ this Lenten season. Mark (Wahlberg) might say, ‘stay prayed up,’ but I’m saying ‘Christus Regnat’ — ‘Christ is King’!”
The Catholic prayer app aired its first commercial during the Super Bowl and saw the biggest spike in downloads in its history, CEO and Hallow co-founder Alex Jones told the Catholic News Agency. The 30-second ad starred Wahlberg encouraging football fans to pray during Lent.
Butker has worked with Hallow for at least a couple of years now, one of several athletes who lead listeners in prayer on the app.
This Lent, subscribers can pray with Butker, NBA star Jrue Holiday, Olympic gymnast Grace McCallum, MLB pitcher Trevor Williams, Hall of Fame college coach Lou Holtz and others.
Butker leads listeners through three prayers about growing faith under pressure, something he knows well.
He sealed the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win last year with a 27-yard field goal in the last seconds of the game and set two Super Bowl records in this year’s win.
In an August 2020 interview after the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl in 50 years, Butker described how his “faith is the most important thing to me. From there, it goes to being a great husband and a great father, and then I look to football and trying to be the best football player I can be.
“But it definitely helps keep perspective on the fact that God’s got me in this arena playing football for a reason.”
He was handed another reason last week.
The lone death in the shooting at Union Station, Johnson County mom and disc jockey Lisa Lopez-Galvan, had worn a white Butker jersey to the rally.
Her family put out a call on social media looking for another Butker jersey to place with her.
Through a series of connections, the request reached the kicker — her favorite Chiefs player — who provided the jersey.
“Hearing that she was a fan of my outspokenness for our shared Catholic Faith makes this even more personal,” Butker said in a statement.
“While the family is mourning their loss and grappling with their numerous injuries, I will continue to pray for their healing and the repose of Lisa’s soul.”
News
Boxing God Vasiliy Lomachenko ‘Knocked Out’ George Kambosos Jr. in Less Than 5 Seconds
In a stunning display of skill and power, Vasiliy Lomachenko showcased his exceptional abilities in the ring by knocking out George Kambosos Jr. in less than 5 seconds. The quick victory highlighted Lomachenko’s status as a “boxing god” and one…
“One of us has to die!” Jake Paul says stakes are high for Mike Tyson boxing match
Jake Paul cautions violent intentions now that his fight against Mike Tyson is a professional boxing match. Jake Paul forewarns his idol Mike Tyson (Source: Instagram/IMAGO) Jake Paυl faciпg Mike Tysoп iп a boxiпg match was a coпsiderable aberratioп for sports faпs. ‘Iroп…
Canelo Kept His Promise After The Match Ended He Donated 70 Million Dollars To Help The People In Gazza
In a remarkable act of generosity and solidarity, Canelo Alvarez fulfilled his promise after his recent boxing match by donating $70 million to help the people of Gaza. The donation, made shortly after the fight ended, showcases Alvarez’s commitment to…
Jaime Munguia Did Not Mind Speaking Out On His Social Networking Site About Losing When He Was “Played Dirty” In The Fight With Canelo Alvarez.
In a surprising and candid move, Jaime Munguía took to his social networking site to speak openly about his recent loss to Canelo Alvarez. Munguía expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the fight and accused Alvarez of “playing dirty”…
Floyd Mayweather Declares He Could Defeat Bruce Lee With Just Five Punches If They Were Born In The Same Era
In a bold statement that has sent shockwaves through the world of combat sports, boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has declared that he could defeat martial arts icon Bruce Lee with only two punches if they were born in the same…
Tyson Fury looked gutted at ringside when Daniel Dubois KO’d his cousin with thunderous right hand
Tyson Fury was stone-faced when he watched his cousin Nathan Gorman get knocked out by Daniel Dubois. In 2019, the two undefeated young heavyweights were matched together in a clash for the British title – a belt the Gypsy King…
End of content
No more pages to load