- Eugene Robinson, 35-year-old team leader of the Atlanta Falcons, played in the January 31 Super Bowl despite his arrest the night before on a charge of soliciting an undercover Miami police officer for oral sex. Earlier on the day of his arrest, Robinson, an outspoken Christian, had received the Bart Starr Award from Athletes in Action based on a vote by his National Football League peers. The AIA award is given to the player who “exemplifies leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community.” Robinson apologized to “my Lord, Jesus Christ,” his wife, and two children, but said he would be “found innocent in this deal.” In early February, Robinson returned the award. AIA President Dave Bratton expressed “regret” over the incident and his “unconditional love to Robinson.”
- Pioneer religious freedom lawyer William Bentley Ball, 82, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, died January 10. Ball, a Roman Catholic, argued nine cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including the precedent-setting Wisconsin v. Yoder in 1973, which granted Amish parents the right to take their children out of public schools after eighth grade.
- The Church of the Nazarene launched its new publication Holiness Today in January. The monthly periodical is a merger of Herald of Holiness and World Mission magazines, which both began more than 85 years ago.
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