The Holy Trinity of The NFL

There is no doubt, there is something very special about the Eagles organization. What is it? Well, they’ve employed [the] Holy Trinity. In the name of Coach Reid: the Father, Donavan: the Son, and Brian Dawkins: the Holy Spirit; we will win, Amen.

The Father
Andy Reid is father and coach to his Philadelphia Eagles just as God The Father is our Father and mentor. He guides his team to make good decisions and thus carry out his mission. So too, does God the Father guide His children to follow Him in His mission. One may argue that the mission of God the Father is much more religious than the aims of Andy Reid. In reality, their goals are quite similar. Each desires victory for his children: God the Father strives for victory over evil in life; Coach Reid desires victory, too, over the opposition on game day.

As mentor to his team, Reid is all loving and forgiving of his children, just as God the Father is to His own. Recently, Terrell Owens lashed out at Coach Reid over his contract. Though Reid the Father was distraught at his son’s greediness, he was forgiving of his son. In the midst of all this, Reid was found saying that Owens is a pleasure to coach. This instance is similar to The Parable of the Lost Son. In the story, a son leaves his father, quits their farm and goes out getting drunk and wasting his father’s money. The father-[-]symbolic of God-[-]is very saddened by his son’s actions. After wasting all his father’s money, the son returns home, where his father is waiting with open arms. In this parable we see God as merciful, just as Reid is merciful to his own son.

Similarly, each has his own set of disciples. Reid’s consists of a slew of offensive and defensive coaches, as well as player-specific coaches, and special teams coaches. These “disciples” of Reid are similar to the Communion of Saints of the Catholic Church. While[Where] Brad Childress is the “patron saint” of offense, so too, is Saint Jude the Patron Saint of hospitals.

The Son
As Coach Reid’s son, Donovan carries out his father’s mission just as Jesus carried out God's mission. As quarterback, he preaches his father’s word to his team, helping and encouraging his teammates to carry out Reid the father’s mission. In the same way, Jesus speaks to His followers. In fact, in the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, Jesus was found preaching God’s word to His friends.

One may argue that as son to Reid the Father, Donovan does not physically resemble his father. Though, how can one determine the similarities of God the Son to his Father? We have not seen God’s face, so we do not know whether Jesus and His Father resemble one another. One may say it is written that Jesus was indeed made in the likeness of His Father. Though this merely means Jesus and His Father were similar of spirit. His likeness to His Father is not necessarily physical; in actuality, Their resemblance is found in Their heart and compassion.

The Holy Spirit
As the Holy Spirit, Dawkins is the third person of the Trinity. In the Catholic Church, the Holy Spirit is known as a Ghost who gives us inspiration. Like the Holy Spirit, Dawkins is a prominent person in the Trinity and similarly has ghost-like qualities. Though he is a sort of “defensive quarterback” Dawkins is less recognized than offense players, giving him a ghost-like sense. He is a main contributor but frequently is unseen due to his defensive position. He is the true spirit of the team and brings with him passion and emotion that he spreads to his teammates. Like the Holy Spirit, he interjects belief into his teammates to carry out the will of the Father.

In addition, while the dispute between Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb was going on, Dawkins was indeed the Holy Spirit of the two. He was the peacemaker, just as the Holy Spirit is symbolic of peace. In fact, in many instances, the Holy Spirit is pictured as a dove, a symbol of peace.

Their Followers
As believers, our fan community must show undying love and support for the Eagles. We must believe that Reid the Father will guide His children to make good decisions and ultimately lead us into our afterlife: the playoffs. Here, our performance in life, or the season, determines whether or not we will be accepted into Heaven, otherwise known as the Super Bowl. We trust that the Father ultimately has Philadelphia's best interests at hand, and though his children have freedom to make their own decisions, we hope that they will take the right path, leading their team to victory. We believe in Donovan the son, who was brought to his team to carry out his father's will. And, we believe in the Holy Spirit, who gives us with undying faith that the Eagles will win in this battle over evil. In Donovan's name we pray, Amen.

[So ... I'm not sure if this is serious or meant as satire, but it works either way. This is an excellent essay. Some minor word choice issues, but, overall, excellent work.]