A few nights ago, I found time to watch the Christian biopic Big George Foreman. This movie showed the incredible journey of Foreman as he overcame incredible odds to become the world heavyweight boxing champion not once but twice, the second time occurring when Foreman was 45 years of age. In a few ways, I could see our Jubilee motto, “Pilgrims of Hope,” in his story.
A definition of hope is “To desire with expectation of fulfillment; to expect with confidence.” This hope and expectation survives even in the face of extremely difficult circumstances. For us as Catholics, we know that our life on earth is a journey, a pilgrimage in which we may have many things we hope for in this life, but our ultimate desire and hope is heaven with our Lord Jesus. The challenges, setbacks, temptations, and adversities that we face in our earthly lives must be met with hope, courage, determination, faith, and prayer. Here are a few examples of athletes who have overcome major roadblocks in their lives, maintaining hope in their journey to the top.
Let’s begin with Foreman, who named all of his five male children George (“Since we have a common name, all of us will rise together or struggle together”). He first faced extreme poverty during his youth, which contributed to anger issues and legal troubles. After dropping out of high school, he joined the Job Corps, where he faced bullying. When he took up boxing, he very quickly experienced great success, winning the 1968 gold medal at the Mexico Olympics. Five years later, his dream of being world champion came true when he beat Joe Frazier. After losing to Muhammad Ali one year later, Foreman had a near-death experience in which he saw God bringing him back to life in order to serve him. Foreman became an ordained minister and started a gym for at-risk youth. He ultimately lost all his money due to poor investments, bringing him and his family close to homelessness and temporarily losing his gym.
Through prayer, faith, and hope, he felt that he needed to return to boxing after 10 years of retirement. Within a few years, he had won his way back to a world heavyweight championship, and at the age of 45, became the oldest belt holder, defeating the much younger, previously undefeated Michael Moorer. Not long after, Foreman retired for good to become a preacher and businessman. The money he made in his return allowed the family to thrive and the gym to reopen. He felt that God wanted him on top in order to better exclaim the name of Jesus and to help souls. Twice he had hope and went on a pilgrimage.
American Simone Biles, who is Catholic, is considered one of, if not the, best gymnasts of all time. Her record number of Olympic gold medals supports that fact. Biles was born to a woman who was addicted to drugs and could not support her children. She had to give them up for adoption. Living in foster care, Biles continued to live in poverty for a few years until her adoption. During competition, Biles would carry a white rosary and regularly prayed the Hail Mary. She has lived in hope and always shows joy. “Biles exudes utter delight when competing” (Liz Clarke, Washington Post). Joy often goes hand in hand with hope, and this is how we should live as Catholics.
Bethany Hamilton wrote a book entitled Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, in which she describes how her Christian faith gave her hope and courage to become a professional surfer losing her arm to a shark at the age of 13. She was not going to be deterred from her dream. She won numerous national and international championships and is now married with four children. She also mentors youth on faith and healing.
These are just a few examples of athletes who have kept hope, in great part due to their faith. All champions face adversity, but they remain hopeful in fulfilling their goal: reaching their dreams. During the difficult periods of your pilgrimage, try to remain hopeful and prayerful, and remember that Jesus is our hope.
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