Rob Maaddi - Birds of Pray: The Story of the Philadelphia Eagles Faith, Brotherhood, and Super Bowl Victory

CONTENTS

ZONDERVAN

Birds of Pray

Copyright 2018 by Rob Maaddi

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Epub Edition July 2018 9780310355861

ISBN 978-0-310-35585-4 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-35587-8 (audio)

ISBN 978-0-310-35586-1 (ebook)

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

This book is not authorized, endorsed, or licensed by the National Football League or any of its affiliates, which own or control the Super Bowl and Eagles trademarks.

Published in association with the literary agency of WordServe Literary Group, Ltd., www.wordserveliterary.com.

Cover design: Curt Diepenhorst

Cover photo: Michael Perez / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

Photo insert background: istock/courtneyk

First printing June 2018 / Printed in the United States of America

Thank you, Jesus, for making the ultimate sacrifice for

me and everyone. Thank you to my beautiful wife, Remy,

for your love, support, encouragement, and inspiring me to

be the best version of me. Thank you to my gorgeous daughters,

Alexia and Melina, for being the best daddys girls. Thank you to

my parents, Issa and Hayat, for your unconditional love. Special

thanks to all the Philadelphia Eagles who openly and boldly

shared their faith with me. Congratulations to the team,

the entire organization, and all the passionate fans.

PRAISE FOR BIRDS OF PRAY

If youre a football fan you likely know the story of the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles on the field. Winning the Super Bowl was a tremendous accomplishment, but it is only half the story. Birds of Pray will give you a look at what really made the Eagles specialthe tremendous spiritual bond they developed through Jesus Christ.

TONY DUNGY, Head Coach of Super Bowl XLI champion Indianapolis Colts

In Birds of Pray, Rob Maaddi captures the story of our brotherhood and the special bond we have in Christ that helped us become Super Bowl champions.

CARSON WENTZ, Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl quarterback

We wanted to win the Super Bowl. But we also knew making disciples of Jesus is our number one priority. Rob was there to see and hear that. From the pre-game huddles to baptisms in the cold tub and all the moments in between, this book tells you those stories.

ZACH ERTZ, Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl tight end

As a Bible ministry based in Philadelphia, we were thrilled to watch our courageous Eagles live out their faith and overcome the odds during an unforgettable run to the Super Bowl. Birds of Pray will inspire football fans and followers of Jesus to stand on the promises of Gods Word when facing challenges and adversity in their own lives.

DR. ROY L. PETERSON, President and CEO, American Bible Society

Rob Maaddi has been covering the Philadelphia Eagles for longer than Ive been on the team. He has been on a faith journey with us and has witnessed our exploits both on and off the field. No one can tell the story better.

COREY CLEMENT, Philadelphia Eagles running back

Inspiring, bold, and unforgettableget to know the Philly spirit and Eagles pride like never before in this book that details the faith of the Super Bowl champions.

BRANDON BROOKS, Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl left guard

Looking for proof that faith and classic underdog grit can power you forward to victory? Look no further. Birds of Pray is exactly that.

LANE JOHNSON, Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro right tackle

Our team faced tremendous odds last year, and yet we overcame and went on to capture the Super Bowl title. The world knows the headline, but this book tells the inside story from someonea fellow brother in Christwho was with us the whole time. Dont miss it.

JORDAN HICKS, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker

As a member of the Eagles for some time, I was drawn to this team for their faith in the Lord and the support for one another. Rob has covered the Eagles for eighteen years. He was there nearly my entire career in Philadelphia. He knows the team, he understands their faith journey, and I know he knows the Lord. Birds of Pray is a unique look at what made the Eagles Super Bowl champs.

DAVID AKERS, Six-time Pro Bowl kicker

I cannot wait to get my hands on Birds of Pray. As a guy who has been part of those locker rooms and Bible studies and gameday morning church sessions, even I can say that this team was special and a little different in its approach. For all the great things they would individually and collectively accomplish, they made it very clear Jesus was going to be the beginning, middle, and end to every single thing they did. He would set the rhythm and heartbeat of all they did as players and everything would flow from that. Win or lose. Success or failure. As we all go through our own trials and difficulties, Im excited to read how this Eagles team led by its quarterback with his own story of tribulation kept pointing to Jesus, no matter what.

DAN ORLOVSKY, Former NFL quarterback

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

ROMANS 5:8

ALSO BY ROB MAADDI

Baseball Faith:

52 MLB Stars Reflect on Their Faith

Football Faith:

52 NFL Stars Reflect on Their Faith

Mike Schmidt:

The Phillies Legendary Slugger

I used to party with professional athletes. Now, I pray with them.

I began covering Philadelphia sports teams full-time in 2000. It was a dream job for a kid who grew up a few miles from the stadium complex in South Philly.

Since I was a kid, Ive always been a diehard sports fan. Loved to watch and loved to play even more. Still do, though years of throwing my body around on baseball and football fields have taken a toll. I tore my left ACL after intercepting a pass in a touch football game. I tore thumb ligaments diving headfirst into second base in a college baseball game. The list is long.

I was reckless on the field, and for years I was even more reckless off it.

Partying with athletes in bars and nightclubs led me down the wrong path. I couldnt compete with pros at their sport. So I tried to compete with them where I could. It was all about hooking up with the most beautiful girls. I went from one unfaithful relationship to another, beginning with my first marriage. I was the ultimate womanizer and proud of it. I even justified my behavior, convincing myself that socializing with players would allow me to earn their trust and get big scoops. It takes hard work to break news, and I was willing to go above and beyond the job description. But while we were out, I spent more time chasing women than chasing stories.