Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and other Hall of Famers had a brush with religious royalty on Wednesday.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame had a contingent that included seven "Gold Jacket" members meet with Pope Francis on Wednesday morning at the Vatican.
"What a magnificent thing for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and to have him recognize pro football," Jones said in a news release. "When I think of the millions who know our Spiritual leader, it is very special to think that we had his audience on behalf of the game."
The Pope blessed the entire group, including the Hall of Famers and their wives.
"I am pleased to greet you, the members and directors of the American Pro Football Hall of Fame and welcome you to the Vatican. Teamwork, fair play and the pursuit of personal excellence are the values _ in the religious sense, we can say virtues that have guided your commitment, on and off the field," the Pope said.
"These values meet the needs of our brothers and sisters and combat the exaggerated individualism, indifference and injustice that hold us back from living as one human family."
The group went on to a viewing of the Sistine Chapel and had a scheduled visit of the American Embassy later in the day.
"It has been a magical day," said Gene Jones, Jerry's wife. "Pope Francis has blessed the entire NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame."
