David Malino Speaks about Being Jewish and Playing Football
Joanna Bernstein
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Features
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Most Jews haven't worked on a kibbutz (a commune), served in the Israeli Army, and played professional football. David Malino has. But then again, David Malino isn't most Jews. On Aug. 28, 2007, he spoke about his experiences as a professional Jewish football player.
During his professional career, Malino played quarterback for two Division II Arena teams, the Greensboro Revolution and the Raleigh Rebels, as well as for NFL Italy.
Playing football began to interfere with his faith after Malino made his high school team. Malino had always spent Shabbat with his family and although his parents were supportive of his football career, it wasn't always easy for them.
"I felt like God was laughing at me when my son made varsity and started playing on Friday nights," said Sarah Malino, professor of history.
"During high school, my teammates didn't understand exactly why I had to miss games on high-holidays," said David.
Despite missing games, Malino wasn't harassed about his religious obligations. The majority of his teammates were Christians. Although they were quite intrigued by Judaism, Malino's faith didn't come between him and his fellow players.
At all levels of play, "there was always prayer before the games and I would get in the prayer circle with my teammates," said Malino. At the same time, "I wouldn't bow my head or close my eyes."
Joseph Fox, a Jewish first-year on Guilford's football team, can relate to Malino's experiences in the locker-room.
"In high school I had a Catholic coach. He made it a point to say 'Jesus Christ' in the prayers before the game," said Fox. "As a religious person, not being able to say 'Amen' at the end of the team prayer seemed kind of ridiculous."
Like Malino, Fox has also had many positive experiences concerning his religion in the locker-room. Fox's high school teammates accepted his Judaism.
"It was kind of surprising [how accepting they were] since I grew up in a small, rural area outside of Charleston, South Carolina," said Fox. "Besides my brother, I was the only Jewish football player in my high school's history."
During his professional career, Malino played quarterback for two Division II Arena teams, the Greensboro Revolution and the Raleigh Rebels, as well as for NFL Italy.
Playing football began to interfere with his faith after Malino made his high school team. Malino had always spent Shabbat with his family and although his parents were supportive of his football career, it wasn't always easy for them.
"I felt like God was laughing at me when my son made varsity and started playing on Friday nights," said Sarah Malino, professor of history.
"During high school, my teammates didn't understand exactly why I had to miss games on high-holidays," said David.
Despite missing games, Malino wasn't harassed about his religious obligations. The majority of his teammates were Christians. Although they were quite intrigued by Judaism, Malino's faith didn't come between him and his fellow players.
At all levels of play, "there was always prayer before the games and I would get in the prayer circle with my teammates," said Malino. At the same time, "I wouldn't bow my head or close my eyes."
Joseph Fox, a Jewish first-year on Guilford's football team, can relate to Malino's experiences in the locker-room.
"In high school I had a Catholic coach. He made it a point to say 'Jesus Christ' in the prayers before the game," said Fox. "As a religious person, not being able to say 'Amen' at the end of the team prayer seemed kind of ridiculous."
Like Malino, Fox has also had many positive experiences concerning his religion in the locker-room. Fox's high school teammates accepted his Judaism.
"It was kind of surprising [how accepting they were] since I grew up in a small, rural area outside of Charleston, South Carolina," said Fox. "Besides my brother, I was the only Jewish football player in my high school's history."
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