Packers' Pickett Appears in Video for Church Porn Event
Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Ryan Pickett, who will be playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, will appear that same day in a video message showing his support for a nationwide church event dealing with porn.
Pickett and his wife Jennifer, who sits on the board of directors for XXXchurch.com – a ministry which helps people struggling with porn and sexual addictions – are shown in a welcome video for National Porn Sunday that will be played in over 300 churches on five continents on Feb. 6.
"We just hope the day is a blessing to you as much as the ministry has been a blessing to us," says Ryan Pickett in the video message.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Porn Sunday, organized by XXXchurch founder Craig Gross, is aimed at confronting the widespread problem of pornography and sexual addictions among Christians everywhere. The annual event helps churches and pastors openly talk about what Gross calls "the elephant in the pew."
"It is estimated that 95 million will watch the Super Bowl, but research shows that 40 million Americans visit porn sites every day. The porn revenue is larger than the revenues of the professional football, baseball or basketball leagues in this country," says Gross.
Pickett, who lost in the Super Bowl against the St. Louis Rams in 2002, is one of two players on the 53-man Packers team that have played in a NFL title game. He will face the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In the video, Pickett offers his regrets for not being able to attend.
"I would love to have been with you guys today, but fortunately, I'm a little busy. Go Packers," says the No. 79 defensive tackle.
"Go Pack, go," Jennifer chimes in.
Other NFL players are also featured in the video message that will be part of Porn Sunday services. The 35-minute video includes testimonies and confessions of current and former professional football players, including quarterbacks Matt Hasselbeck of the Seattle Seahawks and Jon Kitna of the Dallas Cowboys.
"You really don't want to walk with God in this area of pornography. You want to just leave that door open. You want to have that there for your moments of weakness," shares Kitna in teaser video for Porn Sunday.
Megachurch pastor Miles McPherson of The Rock Church in San Diego, Calif., also speaks in the clip.
"It's so hard for guys to fess up and deal with it because guys are prideful," says McPherson, a former defensive back for the Chargers.
The video message line-up also includes former NFL player Josh McCown, who is now a quarterback for Hartford Colonials of the United Football League, and Eric Boles, a retired wide receiver with the New York Jets and Packers.
Gross will speak live at a service hosted by Presence Church in Dallas on Feb. 6.
"This is a problem in the church that cannot be hidden any longer," he says.
