Football season doesn’t kick off until September 6, but NFL fans can get into the spirit early with four new faith-based sports titles being published this summer. Three of the new books are based on Super Bowl LII’s reigning champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, who won their first ever Super Bowl on February 4, 2018, and the fourth is a memoir by quarterback Case Keenum, who helped lead the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-3 record and a NFC North title last year.
Believe It: My Journey of Success, Failure, and Overcoming the Odds
Foles, the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl victory, recounts events that shaped his life, including physical injuries that nearly prevented him from reaching the field. The book describes how Foles and his wife Tori relied on their faith for strength during the hardships, and the pair is donating all the money from the book to charities and ministries around the world.
Fearless: How an Underdog Becomes a Champion
This memoir by Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach Doug Pederson delves into his 23 years in the NFL, including the 14 years he spent as a player. Pederson, who is a Christian, describes his coaching style and what shaped it, while also sharing stories about the Eagles’ 2017 season and Super Bowl victory.
Birds of Pray: The Story of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Faith, Brotherhood, and Super Bowl Victory
In another book on the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2017 season, Philly native and Associated Press sportswriter Rob Maaddi examines how several team members practice their Christian faith and the role it played on and off the field. Maaddi draws on interviews, photos, and insider accounts to recapture the season, including pre-game prayers and even a spur-of-the-moment baptism in the team’s locker room.
Playing for More: Trust Beyond What You Can See
Keenum, who will go down in Vikings' lore for his fourth-quarter pass against the New Orleans Saints known as the “Minneapolis Miracle,” starts with childhood in this account of his life. Referring to Christianity as his calling and his defining characteristic, Keenum explains why he plays football and what the game means for his faith.