Is "faith" a requirement under McD?

[eball]

If there is one non-football thing I've noticed about McD it is the emphasis he places on faith when discussing the makeup of the team.  I believe he uses the phrase "family, faith, football" frequently which begs the question -- is there a place for a player on this roster who isn't a devout Christian or (perish the thought) is agnostic or an atheist?  An aspect unique to sports is the open practice of religion before, during, and after games.

 

Obviously McD can't come out and openly discriminate on the basis of religion but that's not what I'm asking.  I don't think this is a silly question and I'm not making fun of anyone -- I'm curious to hear others' thoughts and I wonder if a media member would ever ask him that question (i.e., can a player who doesn't claim religious faith as a cornerstone of his life fit into "the process" with the Buffalo Bills)?

[KD in CA]

I don't know what context he uses the word in, but the concept of faith is hardly exclusive to devout Christians, or even religion.

 

I certainly hope he's only interested in players who have faith in his execution of the team's long term plan.

[aceman_16]

I am sure any player that is a good player and a good teammate is welcome on this team.  He mentions his "faith" a lot.  There is nothing wrong with that as much as other players talking about their faith (or political views or musical tastes etc).

[Royale with Cheese]

I don't think that McDermott wants or needs to field a team of 53 devout Christians.  I would be surprised if the locker room is more than 10% devout Christians.

[4_kidd_4]

Don’t care if these guys hail Satan in their spare time, just win football games.

[Kelly the Dog]

Not sure about faith being a prerequisite but he clearly hates Jews. Passed over Rosen and not one Himmelfarb or Finklestein on the entire 90 man roster. 

[Soda Popinski]

Just now, Royale with Cheese said:

I don't think that McDermott wants or needs to field a team of 53 devout Christians.  I would be surprised if the locker room is more than 10% devout Christians.

you may find some devout George Michael fans though...

 

FAITH

[Royale with Cheese]

Just now, Soda Popinski said:

you may find some devout George Michael fans though...

 

FAITH

 

[Happy]

I would guess faith refers to faith in team, coaches, and system (trust the process).  Doubt McD and Beane draft only Christians.  They just don't want locker room cancers; I think they're right in this position.

[Domdab99]

faith - a belief in a something you can't prove. 

 

Yeah, there's a virtue worth having. 

 

[Chandler#81]

I’ve wondered too, eball. He’s pretty emphatic about it. So much so, it bothers me, as I’m not. He/the Bills will never say agnostics aren’t going to be Bills, but his openness about it would make it difficult for a player who isn’t.

[ddaryl]

 

If this type of religous discrimination is being practiced then it will come out and the price paid wil be heavy. 

 

You cannot hire people based upon their personal faith... unless that institution is religion based. The NFL is clearly not religion based, therefore it would be career suicide for McDermott/Beane in the NFL and even team suicide to do so.

 

https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/practices/inquiries_religious.cfm

 

Quote

Pre-Employment Inquiries and Religious Affiliation or Beliefs

Questions about an applicant's religious affiliation or beliefs (unless the religion is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)), are generally viewed as non job-related and problematic under federal law.

Religious corporations, associations, educational institutions, or societies are exempt from the federal laws that EEOC enforces when it comes to the employment of individuals based on their particular religion. In other words, an employer whose purpose and character is primarily religious is permitted to lean towards hiring persons of the same religion. This exception relieves religious organizations only from the ban on employment discrimination based on religion. It does not exempt such organizations from employing individuals due to their race, gender, national origin, disability, color, and/or age. Other employers should avoid questions about an applicant's religious affiliation, such as place of worship, days of worship, and religious holidays and should not ask for references from religious leaders, e.g., minister, rabbi, priest, imam, or pastor.

 

[TigerJ]

I would be shocked if I learned that a Christian belief system was a requirement for the Bills in the minds of McDermott and Beane.  However, I think that McBeane does find that Christian values are conducive to hard work and dedication in practice and on the field.  I know several draft picks referenced their Christian faith regarding the whole pre-draft process, including Edmunds, Harrison Phillips and Austin Proehl.  

[Woodman19]

Just faith in the process.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Look out. Evil Christians are out to get EVERYONE!
 

 

[Fadingpain]

45 minutes ago, eball said:

If there is one non-football thing I've noticed about McD it is the emphasis he places on faith when discussing the makeup of the team.  I believe he uses the phrase "family, faith, football" frequently which begs the question -- is there a place for a player on this roster who isn't a devout Christian or (perish the thought) is agnostic or an atheist?  An aspect unique to sports is the open practice of religion before, during, and after games.

 

Obviously McD can't come out and openly discriminate on the basis of religion but that's not what I'm asking.  I don't think this is a silly question and I'm not making fun of anyone -- I'm curious to hear others' thoughts and I wonder if a media member would ever ask him that question (i.e., can a player who doesn't claim religious faith as a cornerstone of his life fit into "the process" with the Buffalo Bills)?

I have considered this very point a few times and thought of starting a thread on it myself.

 

I noticed right away when Josh Allen did his first interviews with WNY media outlets, he was working Jesus into his first few comments.  Did that play a role in the team wanting him over someone else, like Josh Rosen? 

 

I believe it is highly likely that McDermott allows his Christian faith to influence his decision making, even if he is not consciously aware of it.

 

 

26 minutes ago, Happy Gilmore said:

I would guess faith refers to faith in team, coaches, and system (trust the process).  Doubt McD and Beane draft only Christians.  They just don't want locker room cancers; I think they're right in this position.

No, McDermott has made it clear many times in how he speaks that he is devoutly religious. 

 

His use of "faith" is the religious meaning, not other more abstract meanings.

 

 

Edited May 14, 2018 by Fadingpain

[Lfod]

I've seen only a few people with a deep understanding of the word. Most people it's just a shiny badge to make them feel better. So I wouldn't be concerned about the Christians because you probably never met a real one. 

 

I didn't even care about the Bible until I had my mind blown by a few people with interpretation I never seen at a church.

Edited May 14, 2018 by Lfod

[GG]

33 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

Not sure about faith being a prerequisite but he clearly hates Jews. Passed over Rosen and not one Himmelfarb or Finklestein on the entire 90 man roster. 

 

But there is a Benjamin & a Levi.  

[John from Riverside]

Is Faith in regards to religion

 

Or is Faith buy in to what the bills are trying to put together

 

 

[Fadingpain]

1 minute ago, Lfod said:

I've seen only a few people with a deep understanding of the word. Most people it's just a shiny badge to make them feel better. So I wouldn't be concerned about the Christians because you probably never met a real one. 

I know what you mean here, but this is entirely off topic and not really relevant to the OP's suggestion.

 

The issue is not whether McD is a "true Christian".  The issue is whether or not he allows his religious beliefs to interfere in otherwise objective/clear headed decision making.  I bet he does.

 

 

[Gugny]

For what it's worth, this is Sean McDermott's high school senior portrait:

 

[John from Riverside]

1 minute ago, Fadingpain said:

I know what you mean here, but this is entirely off topic and not really relevant to the OP's suggestion.

 

The issue is not whether McD is a "true Christian".  The issue is whether or not he allows his religious beliefs to interfere in otherwise objective/clear headed decision making.  I bet he does.

 

 

Of course you do

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

1 minute ago, Fadingpain said:

I know what you mean here, but this is entirely off topic and not really relevant to the OP's suggestion.

 

The issue is not whether McD is a "true Christian".  The issue is whether or not he allows his religious beliefs to interfere in otherwise objective/clear headed decision making.  I bet he does.

 

 

 

And where are you coming up with that assumption?

 

My guess: Bitterness over the decision to take Allen over Rosen.

My secondary guess: bitterness over cutting Sammy Watkins.

 

Am I close?

 

[hondo in seattle]

I don't think McD considers faith a requirement.

I do think though that if two FAs were available with identical skill sets but only one was a committed church-goer, McD would choose him.   

 

Faith bring bonus points.  

[Kelly the Dog]

1 minute ago, GG said:

 

But there is a Benjamin & a Levi.  

True. But those are first names. If they were last names you may have a point. I would feel a lot better if we had a Schlomo or a Feivish or Mordachai somewhere in there. 

[Augie]

Hopefully faith in the process is enough. 

[TheElectricCompany]

Geezus, the offseason is really hitting us hard, huh? 

Talk about taking a crumb and running with it. 

[GG]

2 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

True. But those are first names. If they were last names you may have a point. I would feel a lot better if we had a Schlomo or a Feivish or Mordachai somewhere in there. 

 

Peterman should count for the conversion points

[Lfod]

14 minutes ago, Fadingpain said:

I know what you mean here, but this is entirely off topic and not really relevant to the OP's suggestion.

 

The issue is not whether McD is a "true Christian".  The issue is whether or not he allows his religious beliefs to interfere in otherwise objective/clear headed decision making.  I bet he does.

 

 

I never seen him pushing any religious agenda onto the team. I've never heard any complaints from players about him. I never seen him in any pictures even wearing a cross. I've never seen any pictures of him with his family or in a church. 

 

If he want to preach religion he can go be a Pastor. He is a professional NFL HC and I think he knows the difference between the two jobs. 

 

If anything AJMcCarron is the guy to watch out for with the religious chest piece. 

Edited May 14, 2018 by Lfod

[eball]

43 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

Not sure about faith being a prerequisite but he clearly hates Jews. Passed over Rosen and not one Himmelfarb or Finklestein on the entire 90 man roster. 

 

Rumor has it that when Rosen was discussed as a potential pick McD burst into the room shouting, "that's meshuggeneh!"

[fansince88]

As a man of faith I enjoy seeing men on the team that are showing Faith in their God. That said I dont believe they are pushing this nor is it a requirement for me. 

 That said I find it interesting that this topic would come up in the wall. Not wholely a "Bills Football" post. 

That said, I am impressed more so with the ability to articulate sentences and players that already have their education they played college ball to aquire. Listening to the interviews of many of them I see a good family life and moral character in their conversation. Those things they are looking for are more often found in that type of environment rather than a ganster or white power environment per se

Edited May 14, 2018 by fansince88

[Kelly the Dog]

Just now, TheElectricCompany said:

Geezus, the offseason is really hitting us hard, huh? 

Talk about taking a crumb and running with it. 

I think it’s a fair question and interesting topic for discussion. Several of us have questioned the same concept in a different manner, wondering whether it’s possible a team of all Eagle Scouts can win it all, or whether McDermott and Beane are passing over star players who have had some questionable pasts. 

[CommonCents]

I don’t know the majority of the players beliefs nor do I care. I would hope having “faith” isn’t much more than a familiarity between the coach and player. 

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

faith in themselves, the coach and his process, all good. the other faith some speak of, you see what direction that's going. it should always be a personal deal.

 

 

[Kelly the Dog]

4 minutes ago, GG said:

 

Peterman should count for the conversion points

Peterman is like Springsteen. Sounds Jew right off the bat but in seconds you find out it’s !@#$ing Dutch. 

[Perry Turtle]

Shady is one of McDermott's favorite players.  Shady is no choir boy, but he is a dedicated and fierce competitor on the field.  I think that's more of what McDermott is looking for.

[CommonCents]

1 minute ago, Kelly the Dog said:

Peterman is like Springsteen. Sounds Jew right off the bat but in seconds you find out it’s !@#$ing Dutch. 

Hah.

 

for years a friend of the family talked up Romo because he thought he was an Italian. 

[DriveFor1Outta5]

12 minutes ago, Kelly the Dog said:

Peterman is like Springsteen. Sounds Jew right off the bat but in seconds you find out it’s !@#$ing Dutch. 

Why do I not understand what this means? PS took me a minute. I get it now, you were referring to the name Springsteen ? . I understand that, but Peterman never sounded that way to me. Maybe it’s because growing up I knew quite a few people with that name. 

Edited May 14, 2018 by DriveFor1Outta5

[Mickey]

10 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

I don't think McD considers faith a requirement.

I do think though that if two FAs were available with identical skill sets but only one was a committed church-goer, McD would choose him.   

 

Faith bring bonus points.  

 

If you are giving someone "bonus points" for being religious, you are disadvantaging those who have a different view because they aren't getting those "bonus points" and that is pretty much the definition of discrimination. It would be no different if you said that when the candidates have an equal skill set, I always hire the man. It is illegal in this state to make employment decisions based on sex, race, creed or sexual orientation, not even as a "tie-breaker".

 

[CommonCents]

What about the new guys?

 

Murphy

Star

Davis

 

Where do these guy stand?