Religion Specialist Carole Mikita recently interviewed San Francisco 49'ers quarterback Steve Young, about his faith. This is the transcript of the interview.
Carole Mikita:
I guess there is, being in the spotlight, a sense of responsibility that
you carry your faith with you, as well as your talent.
Steve Young:
I think that your faith is fundamental. It's the foundation of who you are. So
you carry it regardless. I think it's how you carry it, is the important thing.
I'm somebody that doesn't necessarily want to wear a sign. I clearly, by my
behavior-- hopefully it makes a difference. Religion and spirituality and those
things are very sacred to me, and I tend to give equal respect to other people.
So I find it really is who you are, but you don't necessarily have to
differentiate it from anything else you do. I am who I am, on the field and off
the field, and wherever I go. It seems pretty simple to me.
Carole:
You are sought after as a speaker to church groups. How much pressure does
that bring?
Steve Young:
It's not pressure. I try to speak a lot and I enjoy it. There're things I can
say, that parents could say a thousand times. Maybe I say the same thing, but
they (youth) say, 'That's new, because Steve Young said it.' I find that's kind
of interesting, and it puts a real responsibility.
I'm not going to say anything too profound. In the end, I'm no expert in
anything other than my own life. So I share my own experiences. I think I try
to say, when I do speak, my theme really is 'You're not as weird as I am.'
Because I want kids to have a sense of self esteem and good feelings about
themselves. And that it's okay to be a little different.
Spirituality is different in the world. It's uniqueness, and you have to be
willing to kind of say, 'It's okay,' and embrace it. Give them a -- I don't
know about role model. I have a tough time saying it. But probably a sense of
role modeling that people can follow. I do a lot of it, and I do enjoy it.
Carole:
You were hinting that you obviously come together with a lot of people of
other faiths in your profession... and in your life, have had some interesting
discussions and learned some things about other people's cultures?
Steve Young:
People have stereotypes of football and what it would be like. But really, it
is the greatest laboratory for human behavior. We've got guys from every race,
really every religion that I know of-- there are probably some that are not
represented, but most are. Geography-- from all over the country. And really,
mostly, some poor backgrounds socio-economically. Most football players come
from blue collar, and some really tough neighborhoods.
So, when we have to get together and play together, we need to understand each
other. As the quarterback, it's kind of my job to be the minor psychologist and
understand not only where they're coming from, but their spirituality as well.
So we obviously get into some discussions. But I never get into discussions of
who's right or wrong. I really get into discussions of just, 'How are you
feeling about your spirituality?' and encourage people to think about it and
encourage them to follow whatever they feel in their own spirituality. I enjoy
learning about other people, I really do.
Carole:
Do you ever find yourself saying, 'I'll pray for you, for your
health...'
Steve Young:
Yeah, sure. But to me those things are very sacred in a sense that I'm not
going to be in the middle of the locker room having these discussions. I'm not
going to be on the field (saying) 'Hey-- so I prayed for you..' you know.
These are very tender moments where every once in awhile you'll get into
discussions on plane rides home from away games or away from the field. Our old
coach Bill Walsh, used to say, 'Don't bring your religion into the
locker room.' What he meant was don't bring it outwardly. You're going to bring
it--who you are-- regardless. He's very careful about making sure that everyone respects each other.
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