Massillon Tigers Prayer Service

Tigers Prayer Service
10/25/2025
Hebrews 12:1

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

This is the tenth time I’ve had the honor of leading this annual prayer service for the Rivalry Game.  But the tradition has gone on much longer than my short time here.  And it all goes back to Paul Brown.  Whenever I tell other priests that I am the rector of St. Timothy’s in Massillon, I always add, “Where the football comes from.”  And that’s because of Paul Brown.  And because of this team.

When Paul Brown started coaching the Tigers in 1932, he was a member of St. Timothy’s Church.  That’s why this prayer service has been held at St. Tim’s since . . . well since at least the 1950’s.  Plus, of course, the high school was right down Oak Street at the time, so it was pretty convenient.

Paul Brown left Massillon to become the coach of Ohio State.  From there he went on to become the first coach of the Cleveland Browns—which some people say are named after him.  After falling out with management, he moved to Cincinatti and started the Bengals, whose colors are orange and black (which is not a coincidence), because Paul Brown knew that orange and black is everything.  When he died in 1991, Coach Brown’s funeral was held right here at St. Timothy’s, and he is buried in Rose Hill cemetery up on Wales Road.

Paul Brown and the Tigers and St. Timothy’s all go together.  And so far this season, you have played every game in Paul Brown stadium, and now you are here, sitting in St. Timothy’s.  Paul Brown left Massillon to go do even more great things.  And after 9 games in Paul Brown stadium, you all are leaving Massillon, to play in one of the most anticipated high school games in Ohio football.  

But enough of all that.  The thing I really want to remind you of is the scripture reading we heard from Hebrews:  You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.  You really are.

All those people who keep coming out to cheer you on, they are your cloud of witnesses.  In the good years and in the not so good years, the people of Massillon stand behind this team.  They support you as athletes, they support you as students, and they support you as people who will go on to support the ones who come behind you.  Massillon has always had a strong and faithful football program, because Massillon has always had strong and faithful people.  You are not the first to play the game here, and you won’t be the last.

Which brings us to today.  Everyone in town feels like this is their game, like this is their day to beat McKinley.  And—in a way—sure, it is.  But for each of you sitting in this room today, there’s something more.  Because this is literally your game and your day, in a way that no one else will ever know.

Whether you are throwing a ball, or blocking a tackle, or carrying water to the players, or calling the plays from the sideline, this game is your game.  You are the ones who will play this game, in front of—and on behalf of—that great cloud of witnesses who are supporting you, and who will always support you.

Massillon is a unique place, and I am proud and honored to host this prayer service with you each year.  Whether or not we share the same faith tradition, we are all made in the image of God.  The God who creates, redeems, and strengthens us this day, and all the days to come.  May God bless you all, and may God keep you safe this day, and every day.

Amen.  And go Tigers!