Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Faith and football collide

During holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to fast from sunrise to sunset. This fasting, which includes absence of water, can make those hours particularly challenging.

That includes center Moe Petrus. But as Petrus explained, the Qur’an makes exceptions for physically demanding situations.

“I’m not fasting now, but if you can’t -- if you have obligations -- you can make it up later,” he said.

It isn’t as simple as forgoing the fast. In its place, Petrus will have to either fast at another time or provide charitable services beyond what he already does through the football program.

Petrus has fasted through a few in-season practices, but never through a game or on game day. This year, he said, is the first time Ramadan has fallen during training camp.

He recalled former Carolina Panther wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad used to fast during the preseason. Still, fasting during the hot summer days, especially with the team enduring two-a-days, would make for a hazardous environment.

“At this level, it would be really strenuous, really hard to not drink water, to not eat while practicing,” Petrus said. “We’re losing four, five pounds at practice as it is.”

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