Peter Armstrong (priest)

Peter Armstrong (April 9, 1929 – November 17, 2009), a.k.a. The Pigskin Priest, was an American Roman Catholic

In 1971, he became the President of the San Francisco Comprehensive Health Planning Council.[1] In 1975, he became the Director of St. Vincent's School for Boys in San Rafael.^[1]

Armstrong grew up with San Francisco's mayor

Armstrong also served as the chairman of the Social Justice Commission of the Archdiocese and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Commission.[1]

NFL career

In 1977, Armstrong became the chaplain for the 49ers. Two years later, he returned to St. Pius where he served for the next 22 years until retiring in 2001. As both the chaplain for the 49ers and pastor for St. Pius, Armstrong had busy Sundays. If the 49ers were playing at home, he would officiate Mass at 8 am for the team and at 9:30 and 5:30 at his church.^[2] If the 49ers had an away game, he traveled with the team.

Armstrong met the owner of the 49ers when he was serving on San Francisco's Commission on Parks and Recreation. The owner hired Armstrong to serve as the team's chaplain. From 1977 to at least 2001, Armstrong led Mass before every game the 49ers played.^[3] Armstrong flew on the corporate jet and sat in the owner's box for every game. Bill Walsh said that Armstrong served the 49ers as more than just a priest, but as an adviser and counselor for the whole team regardless of one's religious beliefs. Walsh credits Armstrong with helping the team succeed.^[3]

As the chaplain for the 49ers, Armstrong played a key role in Walsh's conversion to Catholicism. He baptized Jerry Rice's children and officiated Joe Montana's, Dwight Clark's, and Ronnie Lott's marriages.^[3] As the team's official chaplain, the 49ers presented him with Super Bowl rings for each of their five championships.^[4]

References