On this day, February
9th 2025, may we pray
to the patron saint of football
players, Luigi Scrosoppi,
(1804-1884) chosen as
‘a good fit’ for the sport
given his love of children,
his joyful spirit and his
extraordinary virtues
of charity and patience
(the choice made by
a search team assembled
by an Austrian businessman,
in case you are wondering
how these things are decided.)
Although he predates modern
league play Scrosoppi’s patronage
was announced in 2010—
the Italian national team
was presented with a statue
of him holding a ball. A
soccer ball. (Oh dear.
It’s that football. Not American.
Eagles, we’ll have to fall
back on Saint Sebastian,
patron of athletes in general
for the slings and arrows
of the superbowl.
