Friday, October 28, 2005

On the Death of Pro-Life Champion Wellington Mara

Clicking on the title of the above post will take you to the brief Wellington Mara obituary from the New York Giants official web site.

In addition, I thought you would like to read the comments from Life Athletes, including those from Chris Godfrey, former New York Giant player and founder of LA:


Good bye, dear friend

We lost a good friend with the passing of Wellington Mara. He is best known for his role as co-owner of the New York Giants, and his pioneering efforts in establishing the National Football League. But his most important role was fathering eleven children and at last count, 40 grandchildren. But he was a spiritual father to countless more, if it weren't for his careful "fathering" we simply would not be who we are today.

Chris Godfrey had this to say, "In a cynical world that seems to know the cost of everything, and the value of nothing, Wellington Mara helped us appreciate the important things, namely faith, family, friends, and life itself."

This is the timeless lesson that we, in turn, pass on to the next generation. We will miss him deeply... Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

Here too are comments from Family Research Council:

Known affectionately as "The Duke," Pro-Football Hall of Famer Wellington Mara died this week of cancer at age 89. Co- owner of the New York Giants, Mara was also a giant pro-lifer. He not only generously contributed to pro-life groups, he also encouraged his football players to join Athletes for Life and many did.

"My father still knew every player on the team and his time in the 40-yard dash," said John Mara, Wellington's son and the team's chief operating officer. Wellington Mara may have gotten practice managing the Giants' dining table by presiding over family dinners. His son John was the oldest of eleven Mara children.

It was especially notable that Wellington Mara stood up for the right to life in New York, New York. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. We honor his memory and we pray that God will comfort the Mara family.