FanHouse JesusChrist

And just who else is this morning's Dugout supposed to be about?

The hype hasn't even started yet. Jay Bruce digs in and puts some mother[hubbard]s in their place, after the jump.

I really dig it when reporters explore religion in sports, not only because it usually produces a provocative reaction but because it can provide valuable insight to an athlete's motivations, personality and integrity (or hypocrisy, depending on the scandal). Looking back at when I interviewed Brian Pothier of the Capitals for a feature story last season, I regret not exploring his spiritual side: He is, or at least was, involved with a sports ministry called Champions for Christ, started by former Bruins sieve John Blue.

Today, Joanne C. Gerstner of The Detroit News has an interesting look at religion in the NHL, using the Red Wings as a case study. Pavel Datsyuk, for example, has a small religious shrine in his locker. But the interesting news come from Newark's unofficial crime czar, Barry Melrose, regarding hockey's private nature and one of the most feared brawlers in recent memory who's actually a Jesus freak:

"One of the most religious guys you could ever meet was Stu Grimson," Melrose said of the former feared enforcer, who played for the Wings and six other teams. "He didn't run around telling people about it, but he's one of the deepest Christians you can meet. The thing is, hockey's tradition is all about maintaining your privacy. Guys don't go around talking about religion, or a fight they had with their wife, in the locker room. It's like a zone that you respect that way.

"So I just don't think hockey's made it so a guy like Reggie White or a (Jon) Kitna would just show up declaring their love for Christ. But maybe that's why hockey doesn't get the attention like other sports. Maybe we are too private about everything."

H/T to George James Malik and his Snapshots blog.

Here's the eternal question: do nine rings make you bigger than John Lennon? If you recall, the late rocker got in hot water for declaring that his Beatles were bigger than Jesus. Now, Phil Jackson has a flippant remark of his own about the Savior of Mankind. From the Los Angeles Times:

"The way they are playing now, it doesn't matter who comes back," said Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, obviously upset. "Jesus Christ could come back and we still wouldn't have a chance because we've ruined the mix by not playing together."

As has been well-documented on the FanHouse, Jackson has a knack for making uncomfortable quips. But with this one, he might have finally crossed the line. Granted, he's not placing him or his Lakers above Jesus; if anything, he's praising the man's superior basketball skills. Still, insinuating that the Messiah has nothing better to do than join up with a floundering NBA team (six losses in a row) certainly smacks of disrespect. And wait, isn't it out of line to tell Jesus that he absolutely, positively could not turn the Lakers around?

Incidentally, the Times also reports that Lamar Odom-responsible for his own line of J.C.-themed t-shirts-should return to practice this week. Maybe that's what Jackson was thinking of.

Colts tight end Ben Utecht wishes to (finally!) merge the worlds of professional football and Christian music. Utecht is heading to Nashville this off-season to chase his dream of becoming a Christian recording artist.

I've never heard Ben Utecht sing, and my Christian music collection isn't quite as extensive as it could be (does God's Son count?), so I don't know what kinds of songs he sings. But I hope there are songs in his catalog entitled "Beelzebub, Much Like Todd Pinkston, Won't Go Over the Middle," and "Jesus Makes John Henderson Look Like a Sissified Punk."

Between Utecht and Tony Dungy, the Colts are the Godliest team in the NFL ... and given that the NFL is such a copycat league, it would not surprise me to see Mike Holmgren and Marvin Lewis become ordained ministers this off-season. I also think you'll see Ray Lewis become the champion of this league.