• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Matt Birk of the Baltimore Ravens joins pro-life supporters in the Maryland March for Life in Annapolis March 14. (Owen Sweeny III/CR Staff)

Ravens’ Matt Birk speaks up for life

March 17, 2011
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Local News, News, Respect Life, Sports

ANNAPOLIS – Planned Parenthood almost seemed like a permanent fixture in the Minnesota community where Baltimore Raven Matt Birk grew up. Located just two miles from his home in St. Paul, the abortion clinic operated for three straight decades.

Then, the godfather of one of Birk’s five children opened a pro-life pregnancy resource center across the street from the clinic. People of faith began praying regularly for women and their unborn children – participating in sidewalk counseling and providing help for women to bring their children to term. Adrianna, Birk’s wife, volunteered at the center.

Thanks to their efforts, the abortion clinic closed.

For Birk, a six-time Pro Bowl center who has not missed a game during his two seasons in Baltimore, the episode demonstrated the power of prayer and pro-life outreach. It confirmed his longtime support for the pro-life cause.

Birk was a featured speaker at the Maryland March for Life, held March 14 in Annapolis. In his talk and in an interview with The Catholic Review, the 34-year-old Harvard alum said his Catholic faith and his own fatherhood are two main reasons he is pro-life. He remembered being overwhelmed when he held his first newborn child in his arms.

“It was unbelievable the love that I felt for her,” he said, “and any parent knows exactly what I’m talking about. At that point, you know it’s not a choice. Life is a gift that’s given to us. We are supposed to accept it. It’s not our choice whether we decide a baby lives or not.”

Birk, who attends Mass at Sacred Heart in Glyndon and the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier in Hunt Valley, said he has “done a lot of cool things” in his life, but participating in the March for Life is “one of the coolest things I’ve done.” It even beats running onto the field at M&T Bank Stadium, he said.

While he has walked in many pro-life marches in Minnesota when he attended Catholic school, the Maryland march was a first for the former Viking.

“It seems like our society and media want to push pro-lifers to the side and hope that we would shut our mouths and go away quietly,” said Birk, whose 6’4’’, 310-pound frame struck a distinct figure among the hundreds of marchers who filed through downtown streets. “Let’s not do that.”

Birk urged marchers to pray not only for women who are seeking abortions or who have undergone the procedure, but for the people who work in clinics where abortions are performed.

“We all need saving,” he said, “and there’s one thing that can save us all, and that’s prayer.”

The professional athlete, who established Matt Birk’s HIKE Foundation to provide educational opportunities for at-risk Baltimore students, told The Catholic Review he was impressed by the passion pro-lifers bring to their cause. He was “uplifted” to be a part of the march, he said.

“I don’t think I’m a superstar by any means,” Birk said, “but I’m glad (for) the platform that football allows me. I’m glad to use it to support causes that I passionately believe in and this is one of them. For me, it comes down to what’s right and what’s wrong – what’s God’s will and what’s not.”

Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org

Also see

Pope Leo XIV champions media literacy

July 20, 2025

Whatever the genre, Dion’s music still focuses on life’s larger questions

July 20, 2025

A sower of light in the shadows

July 19, 2025

When it comes to serving students with disabilities, how are Catholic schools doing?

July 19, 2025

Tolton ambassadors renew goal to promote, pray for famed Black priest’s canonization

July 18, 2025

Creation, human and divine

July 18, 2025

Copyright © 2011 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

George P. Matysek Jr.

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Hunt Valley parishioner recalls her former student – a future pope

  • Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

  • Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

  • Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

  • NBC’s Tom Llamas says Catholic education deepened his faith, pushed him to always do his best

| Latest Local News |

Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

Lay associates journey with the Oblate Sisters of Providence

Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

Scopes Monkey Trial ignited century-long debate on evolution and belief 

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

| Latest World News |

Whatever the genre, Dion’s music still focuses on life’s larger questions

When it comes to serving students with disabilities, how are Catholic schools doing?

Tolton ambassadors renew goal to promote, pray for famed Black priest’s canonization

NBC’s Tom Llamas says Catholic education deepened his faith, pushed him to always do his best

Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Pope Leo XIV champions media literacy
  • Whatever the genre, Dion’s music still focuses on life’s larger questions
  • A sower of light in the shadows
  • When it comes to serving students with disabilities, how are Catholic schools doing?
  • Tolton ambassadors renew goal to promote, pray for famed Black priest’s canonization
  • Creation, human and divine
  • NBC’s Tom Llamas says Catholic education deepened his faith, pushed him to always do his best
  • Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith
  • Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED