Drew Mahalic
Episode 319
10 MAR 2025
He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the NFL Draft and went on to play four seasons in the pros, first with the San Diego Chargers and then three with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a linebacker who had played collegiately for four years at the University of Notre Dame, with the Fighting Irish being AP Poll national champions his third season with the team. After his senior year he played in the Coaches All-America Game. He even appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. During his days as an athlete, he even played two football games in Mexico City. He later received his degree from Harvard Law School.
Notable guest quotes:
“My parents were members of a Cana group where they had visitors, I think it was weekly. They came over to discuss Catholic issues. The big day in my life as a child was … the day I received first Holy Communion.”
“At age 11 as a member of the Cub Scouts, I got … something called the Parvuli Dei Award. That’s going to Mass for 21 consecutive days.”
“I didn’t go to Catholic school and neither did my brother and he wound up a Catholic priest. The public school was literally in our backyard, and so that was just a little bit too good to pass up.”
“Mary was the manifestation of God’s daughter herself. And I don’t think that’s a stretch given how many Hail Mary’s we say, but I think her place is actually more special than we even give her credit for. I maintain that belief even today.”
“We went to Mexico City and played… that was special to me because that’s where Our lady of Guadalupe, the image that really converted the entire country of Mexico from Juan Diego. And that image is on my phone. That’s my screen because I think that’s the most phenomenal thing that nobody has figured out… It’s a miracle.”
“My original ambition was to be a New York Yankee. I was a good left-handed pitcher… I went to high school…. And they had a great football program. And so, I wound up being the all-state quarterback and player of the year in the state of Michigan.”
“We won the national championship in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama in 1973. I did appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated that year… We beat Alabama in the most exciting game I’ve ever played in my life. At the end of the game, we were the undefeated national champions.”
“My very first game that I played at San Diego I attended one of these FCA meetings in Houston and the speaker – it wasn’t Joel Osteen, but it might have been his dad – it was the most inspiring speech I think I’ve heard, about how we were all in blood covenant with God.”
“The Philadelphia Eagles, for what it’s worth, were the equivalent of the Catholic team in the NFL. A monsignor traveled with us and held Mass before the games and the whole administrative staff was Catholic and it wasn’t that much different than Notre Dame.”
“A visit I made with my daughter … we just traveled … specifically to go to Medjugorje … I’m a believer that those apparitions that still occur monthly are legitimate… it was very meaningful to be there.”
