The Godsend: Looking at Some of the Best Roman Catholic Athletes

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Throughout the years, there come several players that have been blessed with extraordinary talents.

This slide show will take a look at some of the best Roman Catholic athletes in several sports who embody their faith's values.

Through their everyday actions, most of these players see God in all things.

Soccer's Holiest: Ronaldinho

The soccer prodigy is close to his faith, according to the people close to him.

As Ronaldinho is Brazilian, this revelation should come as no surprise. Catholicism is very popular in the South American country.

There have been photos snapped of him praying before a game, and he has said in interviews that he prays before most games and asks God for help.

Soccer's Holiest: Pele

Pele speaks about his Catholic faith in his autobiography.

According to his book, his baptism is one of his fondest memories. And when he was young, he was able to meet several popes.

Just like Ronaldinho, his family's presence in Brazil had an impact on how strong Catholicism was in his life.

Notable Catholics:
Christiano Ronaldo
98 percent of the Argentina, Portugal, and Mexico's national soccer team

Basketball's Holiest: Reggie Miller

Miller lays near the top of the list of Top 10 Greatest Catholic Athletes.

His brother and him were very close to Catholicism growing up, and Reggie Miller was always one hell of a basketball player.

It may stir up debate whether he deserves a spot on this slide show, because he might have been breaking one of the 10 Commandments.

Miller was known to have been a flirt to married women. "Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife," C'mon Reggie!

Notable Catholics:
Patrick Ewing
John Stockton
Vince Carter

Football/Baseball/Track & Field /Basketball's Holiest: Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe was the best all-around great American athlete. He had skills for just about any sport.

Thorpe was an Olympian who grew up in a Catholic family and was baptized when he was very young. He definitely deserves to top the list of Greatest Catholic Athlete Ever.

Football's Holiest: Brett Favre

He has been called one of the NFL's most devout followers.

When he made his first retirement from the NFL, he accredited his strong Catholic faith as the root of his success and his wife's road to beating cancer.

He also went against abortion due to his faith and saved a baby, but also strengthened his marriage.

Catholic.org admires Favre and his work with the Catholic community.

Notable Catholics:
*Joe Montana would have made this list, if it wasn't for his three marriages. Too much of a party boy.
Dan Marino
Don Shula
Vince Lombardi
Knute Rockne
Mike Shannahan
Bob and Brian Greise

Tennis' Holiest: Roger Federer

Roger Federer is tennis' best player since Roger Federer. The guy is out to shatter tons of records.

In an interview, he spoke about his faith and how important Catholicism is to his success.

He has met Pope Benedict XVI and has said, on meeting the Pope that, "It was great an honor."

He has also said, regarding religion, "I guess I am in the spiritual way not in practicing way, but I used to go to mass when I was younger."

Notable Catholics:
Rafael Nadal would make the list of one of the best Catholic athletes except for the fact that he says he doesn't practice it.
John McEnroe

Baseball's Holiest: Mike Piazza

He met the Pope. He goes to mass. He was married in a Catholic Church. He was blessed with great talent. He is considered a champion of his faith. Simply put, Mike Piazza is a saint.

The guy is the perfect role model for kids and serves as an excellent example to Catholicism at its finest.

Notable Baseball Catholics:
Mike Sweeney
David Eckstein
Jeff Suppan
Rich Donnelly
Roger Maris
Sammy Sosa
Mark McGwire
Nomar Garciaparra
Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez
Sean Casey
Whitey Ford
Jason Giambi
Mariano Rivera
Derek Jeter
Jack McKeon
Tommy Lasorda
Barry Bonds
Babe Ruth