Hail Mary, Full of Grace--A Football Reflection.

As the time for the Superbowl approaches, I am reminded of a football story you probably don't know.  (And after you read this, you still won't.)

Christians are familiar with the passage in Luke where Mary is told she will bear the Messiah.  In the passage, the angel begins with "Hail, Mary, full of grace."  Of course, many Christian churches, particularly Catholic, interpret the phrase "full of grace" as having theological meaning.  However, it is a little known fact that the phrase "full of grace" was applied to Mary before she was addressed by the angel.

What is known now as American style football was played in ancient times, and teams had both men and women on them.  Mary was a star wide receiver for the Jerusalem Giants, and was quite famous for her ability to evade defenders.  Hence, the nickname "full of grace", as she gracefully zigged and zagged down the gridiron, rolling off tackles with ease.  The Giants' colors were blue and white, which is why we often see her depicted in those colors in works of art. 

Of course, knowling that marriage and motherhood would put too many demands of her time, Mary retired from football at the peak of her game.  But the phrase "full of grace" lives on. 

Some people think that she played for the Cairo Camels while she was living in Egypt, but there is absolutely no historical evidince for that.