Give thanks and watch football
Despite the team's very rough start to the season and a pretty disappointing two decades, Lorne Korol still has a warm spot in his heart for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
After all, when the Toronto Argonauts arrive at Investors Group Field on October 19, the new stadium on the campus of the University of Manitoba will be filled with people of people of faith. Maybe, just maybe, that's what it will take to turn the Bombers' game around.
Korol is the Blue Bombers Athletes in Action chapel leader. He's the guy who leads the team in prayer and Bible study during the season and for "the 10th or 11th year," the Bombers will provide Athletes in Action with an opportunity to fundraise for three of its most important sports ministries: Lorne's AIA Ministry for the Bombers, Jets and Goldeyes here in Winnipeg; David Johns' international AIA ministry and Dallas Williams' AIA summer camps.
For their part, the Bombers offer Korol and his ministry a chance to sell as many tickets as possible to church youth groups at discounted prices. This year, a $42 ticket will be sold to the AIA groups for just $31.20 (taxes included).
"It's an outstanding opportunity for our youth groups to take in a Blue Bombers game at discounted prices," said Korol. "And part of the fun is the opportunity to hear a number of the Christian football players speak after the game. It's called 'Athletes in Action Manitoba Church Night at the Stadium' and we've been doing it for quite a while now."
Korol never likes to promote the players who will speak after the game. He always worries about losses and who might take a loss too seriously, but one can almost bet that middle linebacker Henoc Muamba, his brother, the team's safety Cauchy Muamba, and punter Mike Renaud will make themselves available. For the past three seasons, they've always stepped up, win or lose.
"This evening—I guess its Church Afternoon this year—is a great way to bring church groups together at a Blue Bombers game," Korol said. "And it also allows the players to use their platform as professional athletes to honor and glorify God. Over the years, I've watched as the players give their testimonies, and you can hear a pin drop. People are glued to every word."
Because of that, Korol is extremely thankful for the things the Blue Bombers do for Athletes in Action.
"We're so blessed," Korol said. "The Bombers have been tremendous partners with us. And it's not just this year. For more than a decade now, the Bombers have been so gracious. They've provided us with discounted tickets, an entire evening at a game and the players after the game. We couldn't ask for a better partnership."
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