Saints' coaches: Don't shove God, family to side

From July through January, the life of an NFL assistant coach exists in a  hermetically sealed vacuum: 12- to 16-hour days poring over videos and pushing players to improve, all the while trying to remember they have a family life outside of football.

Joe Lombardi, the quarterbacks coach of the New Orleans Saints, and Terry Malone, who coaches the Saints’ tight ends, recognize the skewed nature of their daily work schedule and how it might get their spiritual and family priorities out of whack.

That’s why they agreed to be the featured presenters March 10 at the Catholic Men’s Fellowship’s Morning of Spirituality for Men, based on the theme “Called to be Saints.” Their presentation, along with the opportunity for confession and Mass, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Rita Church, 2729 Lowerline St., New Orleans. Donuts and coffee will be served beginning at 8:15 a.m.

Faith, family and football

Lombardi, 40, is the grandson of Vince Lombardi, the Hall of Fame coach of the Green Bay Packers. Lombardi and his wife Molly, who are members of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Mandeville, have six children ranging in age from 10 years to 6 months. He takes to heart one of the philosophies often espoused by his grandfather.

“My grandfather said, ‘There should be only three things in life: faith, family and the Green Bay Packers,’” Lombardi said. “I’ve got six kids, so certainly during the season it becomes very exhausting for my wife and the kids start missing you.”

His grandfather’s advice has become even more important to Lombardi with the growth of his family.

“I don’t golf, I don’t hunt, I don’t fish,” Lombardi said, “so those are the only three things I have in my life, too. I think it’s good advice, especially if you’re going to be a football coach. With that time commitment, you shouldn’t be picking up a whole bunch of other hobbies and things in your life. You’ve got your job and your family, and that’s all tied together with your faith.”

Enjoys reading about Vince

Lombardi was born in 1971, nearly a year after his grandfather died of cancer. But he enjoys reading the biographies that delve into the rich details of his life.

Not many people realize that Vince Lombardi attended daily Mass and as a teenager attended a minor seminary in Queens, N.Y.

“I think he felt he had a quick temper, and he felt like it was vital for him to keep himself in check, so he participated in that daily Mass,” Lombardi said. “There are some funny stories about Bart Starr saying, ‘He went to daily Mass, and if you were ever around him, you understood he had to.’”

Set your priorities

Malone, a parishioner at Most Holy Trinity Church in Covington, said even those whose jobs are not as pressure-packed as coaching in the NFL need to realize their priorities are critically important.

“We do have busy schedules, and there’s a lot going on in our lives, but the most important message is to have your priorities and keep things in order,” Malone said. “What we really need to do is make sure that our Catholic Church is at the center of what we do and the foundation for our families.”

Malone and his wife Ann have four children. The Malones volunteer at the Covington Food Bank.

“Most of the audiences I’ve spoken to are high school kids, and I think I’ve always encouraged them to be men of action,” Malone said. “We need men who are willing to step up and make a difference.”

Former Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes will be the principal celebrant of the Mass. Vincentian Father Jeff Harvey will deliver the homily. The sacrament of reconciliation will be available.

Peter Finney Jr. can be reached at pfinney@clarionherald.org.