Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr.
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged
NORMAN, Okla. — George Schroeder loves college football.
He just loves Jesus more.
Our paths first crossed when we both worked at The Oklahoman — me getting my start on the religion beat and Schroeder covering the Oklahoma Sooners’ 2000 national title run.
Schroeder, previously with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, took over the Sooners football beat at the beginning of Bob Stoops’ second season as head coach in Norman. Oklahoma finished 13-0 that year.
“In fact, I covered 20 wins before I covered a loss, which is kind of crazy,” Schroeder recalled.
As a longtime Sooners fan, I have to ask: Is there any chance Schroeder — now the senior pastor for the First Baptist Church of Fairfield, Texas, about 80 miles south of Dallas — could return and work his magic again?
I kid. I kid. Mostly.
For over a quarter-century, Schroeder thrived as a sportswriter — and loved most every minute of it — culminating with a seven-year stint as one of USA Today’s two national college football writers.
But ultimately, he found his true calling outside the press box, even though he still hosts a weekly podcast called “Gridiron & The Gospel.”
This column appears in the online magazine Religion Unplugged.
Photo provided by George Schroeder
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 