I don't know if Peter Smith, the all-star religion writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is a hockey fan.
If he is — and even if he is not — I'd like to request his help on a story.
Here's what I'm curious about: A Pittsburgh Penguins player had his son baptized in the Stanley Cup.
The Stanley Cup — for those not familiar with it — is the championship trophy awarded annually to the team that wins the National Hockey League playoffs. Traditionally, each player on the winning team get a private day with the cup.
The Sporting News notes that the Cup "has held lots of babies, but it has rarely hosted a baptism."
USA Today points out:
The Cup has been partaking in a wide variety of activities this summer. It visited a children’s hospital, enjoyed some spaghetti, briefly went to college, practiced water safety and has spent a lot of time on the golf course.
And oh, there was a pedobaptism!
From a Post-Gazette sports writer, the brief story that sparked my interest:
Josh Archibald is taking the spiritual experience of winning the Stanley Cup to a new level.
The Penguins winger had his son, Brecken, baptized in the NHL’s championship trophy during his day with it Wednesday in Brainerd, Minn. The Hockey Hall of Fame’s Philip Pritchard captured the moment on Twitter.
Alrighty! You definitely grabbed my attention.
But that's about all there is to the story. I want to know more.
For example, what is Archibald's religious affiliation? Roman Catholic appears to be a safe guess, based on the photo and an article I found online that mentioned his wife, Bailey, attended a Catholic high school.
Also, why did Archibald and his wife choose the Stanley Cup for the baptism?
What role does faith play in their lives? Are they active in a church? Do they believe God played any role in the Penguins' successful season?
These are the kind of questions that an MVP Godbeat pro such as Smith could ask on behalf of inquiring minds such as myself. Please!?