Ex-Rams long snapper Jake McQuaide disrupts church by demanding answers in porn scandal
It's not easy for NFL long snappers to stand out, their exacting trade hinging exclusively on repeating the same action without fail or fanfare. Yet Jake McQuaide, the former Rams two-time Pro Bowl long snapper and veteran of 14 NFL seasons, drew attention Saturday when he stood up.
McQuaide rose during Mass at an Ohio Catholic church and snapped at Jason Williams, chancellor of the Cincinnati Archdiocese, demanding answers about rumors that two priests had viewed pornography on a parish computer.
Shortly thereafter, McQuaide was removed from the sanctuary by police officers.
During the outburst, McQuaide seemed to channel Sister Aloysius — Meryl Streep's character in the 2008 film 'Doubt,' — when he loudly questioned Williams, saying 'We want to put these rumors to rest. Can you answer this for me, fact or fiction?'
According to video from Cincinnati news station WCPO, when someone at the alter told McQuaide, 'this is not the time for this,' McQuaide responded by shouting, 'I'm sorry, sir, this is the time and the place. I will stand up. Did the priest use our parish computer to look at pornography? …True or false? True or false?'
McQuaide's challenge occurred while Williams was reading a letter from Archbishop Robert Casey to the Our Lady of Visitation congregation that said the rumors were investigated and 'no wrongdoing — either criminally or ecclesiastically — has been substantiated.' The letter also said that one of the priests was taking a 'previously planned sabbatical.'
'Like gossip, the spreading of rumors is sinful, and we should all work to overcome this tendency of our fallen human nature,' the letter said.
Two Green Township police officers escorted McQuaide from the church. McQuaide was not charged, according to the police.
McQuaide grew up near Green Township and attended Cincinnati Elder High, an all-male Catholic diocesan school within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati founded in 1912.
After attending Ohio State, McQuaide served as the Rams long snapper for 10 years, beginning in 2011 when the franchise was in St. Louis and ending after the 2021 season. Since then he has played for the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins, having appeared in 197 career games.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
3 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Catholic board updated on Inspiring Success journey
Trustees discussed the connection between Catholic education and Indigenous spirituality during the Prince Albert Catholic School Division board of education's regular meeting on May 26. The Inspiring Success Journey explored Truth and Reconciliation with the Catholic faith. Father Harry Shalahub, Coordinator of Religious Instruction, and Gwen Clyke, Coordinator of Student Achievement and Assessment, gave a presentation about what the division does to connect the two subjects. 'There's certainly a lot in common with Indigenous spirituality and our faith and the dignity of each person is the first thing that comes to mind, that all nations really respect the dignity of all people,' director of education Lorel Trumier said. The division's three-year Strategic Plan outlines both Inspiring Success and Catholic Faith as priorities. Inspiring Success is a Ministry of Education policy that has the intent to support First Nations students in a way that supports their knowledge. The school division goal is to provide educational opportunities to further the knowledge of Indigenous ways and understanding of Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action with guidance by the Inspiring Success framework. 'There are many things occurring throughout our curriculum and our faith-based opportunities that can support our work on Truth and Reconciliation, and we're being intentional about the aspects of this work,' she explained. It also connects to the faith-based aspect of Catholic education by creating opportunities to make connections to the Catholic faith. The two work hand-in-hand to create opportunities for students and staff to learn about both of the priority areas. The Inspiring Success journey answers two Calls to Action, Call 63 on Indigenous Education and Call 14 on Aboriginal Languages. The Division began the year with a Staff Retreat which included workshops with Elder Liz Settee, Knowledge Keeper Mike Relland and Kevin Phillip as Catholic faith speaker. The retreat was divided into three stations with Indigenous Ways of Knowing with Settee and Relland and Catholic faith with Phillip. Clyke and Shalahub led a Saint Walk where staff learned about the saints represented by each of the schools. 'We take our opportunities for not only faith development, but professional development and reflection on these matters,' Trumier said. This Year's spiritual theme was Living Christ's Mission which connected to the three tipi teachings for the year on Respect, Obedience and Humility. There were presentations, classroom lessons and activities in schools to support them on the Inspiring Success journey. More tipi teaching will be done in upcoming years. 'They're spiritual themes that we journey on each year, and it is a Jubilee Year this year, which heightens our responsibility and the joy that we get from journeying and pilgrimaging together through these processes,' Trumier said. The division also has an Invitational Shared Services Initiative (ISSI) with Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation that supports work in Inspiring Success The provincial government has earmarked $92,300 to support the partnership between 2024 and 2028. The funds will go towards land-based learning consultations, elders and knowledge keeper honorariums, and Indigenous education consultants. The division is partnering with PBCN for the application because 70 per cent of Prince Albert Catholic students who live on reserve while attending Catholic schools are PBCN members. The ISSI proposal was initially submitted on April 14, 2023 and the division was notified in late May that the maximum application limit was reduced from $100,000 to $80,000. They resubmitted the application on June 2 to reflect the updated ministry financial criteria and received approval on June 11, 2023. 'There are really some great community partners and people that we come to discuss and to work with, including our Bishop and our clergy as well,' Trumier said. 'There is a committee of all of the Catholic School boards doing this work and helping each other through the process of understanding the best ways to do that.' The presentation was also done at the beginning of Catholic Education Week, which ran from May 25 to June 1. Trumier saluted the work done by everyone in the division. 'We are lucky that we have a team here within our school division that includes not only Superintendent (Wade Mourot), (but) religious coordinators and curriculum coordinators,' Trumier said. 'We have teachers and Administration that are of Indigenous and Metis decent that are supporting our understanding and moving that forward along with the Elders and the community members that are assisting us,' she added. The presentation concluded with a video produced by the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association (SCSBA) entitled 'Lighting the Path to Truth and Reconciliation.' The video included several people from the division including Shalahub and others. The video highlights all eight Catholic Divisions and their journey in Truth and Reconciliation. 'Kudos to my team of teachers and administrators and coordinators who really make it come alive in our schools, I think, we can't do it with all without all our teachers and the people that are organizing and supporting us,' she said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Florida attorney general loses appeal to overturn order blocking immigration law
A judicial appeals panel has upheld a temporary injunction blocking the enforcement of a new state law criminalizing undocumented immigrants when they arrive in Florida — notching another victory for immigration advocates in a case that has drawn Florida's attorney general into conflict with a Miami federal judge. The Friday afternoon ruling by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta keeps in place a lower court order temporarily preventing police and prosecutors from making arrests and pursuing charges under Florida's SB-4, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in February. The law makes it a crime for immigrants to enter the state of Florida if they have been deported or denied entry into the country, or eluded immigration officers when coming into the United States. 'This is a difficult case, and this order does not finally resolve the issues,' states the order, issued by judges Jill Pryor, Kevin Newsom and Embry Kidd. The unsuccessful appeal at the heart of Friday's ruling was brought by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who sought to stay the temporary injunction. Uthmeier has argued that District Court Judge Kathleen Williams overstepped in April when, responding to a lawsuit brought by several undocumented Florida residents who said the law was unconstitutional, she blocked the enforcement of the law. Williams initially issued a restraining order preventing the enforcement of SB-4, and then ordered a broader temporary injunction after learning that state police had continued to make arrests — including an American citizen. Uthmeier's attorneys argued that while Williams' order had bound them from enforcing the law, it didn't apply to 'independent' law enforcement agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol. The attorney general was so adamant in his position that, days later, he wrote a letter to law enforcement agencies telling them he didn't think Williams' order was legitimate — leading the judge to initiate contempt proceedings. In their Friday ruling, the judges waded into the legal skirmish, writing that Uthmeier 'may well be right that the district court's order is impermissibly broad. But that does not warrant what seems to have been at least a veiled threat not to obey it.' A spokesman for Uthmeier's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The American Civil Liberties Union, whose attorneys have worked on the case, celebrated the ruling as a significant victory, not just in Florida but around the country as red states move to implement strict immigration laws. 'This ruling is not just a legal victory — it's a resounding rejection of cruelty masquerading as policy,' said Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the ACLU of Florida. The case, brought by the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Farmworker Association of Florida, will continue on before Judge Williams, who has yet to issue her ruling on whether Uthmeier will be held in contempt of court.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bishop Miege president on leave pending investigation, new KCK archbishop says
The president of Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park has been placed on leave while an investigation is conducted into recent reports regarding his ability to manage a safe school environment, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announced Friday. 'The executive committee of Bishop Miege High School's (BMHS) Board of Trustees has placed Phil Baniewicz on administrative leave, effective June 5, 2025,' newly installed Archbishop Shawn McKnight said in a statement posted on the archdiocese's website Friday morning. 'I support this action of the executive committee for the well-being of the school. Due to recent reports concerning his ability to oversee a safe environment for BMHS, a thorough investigation has been initiated.' The executive committee of the BMHS board has appointed Joe Schramp as interim president, the statement said. Schramp, the school's associate principal and athletic director, did not respond to a request for comment. Baniewicz could not be reached for comment. The archbishop's statement provided no details about the 'recent reports' that led to the action. Baniewicz, who was appointed in June 2023 as president of Bishop Miege, had come under criticism after it was learned that he was a defendant along with two Catholic priests in a 2005 sexual abuse lawsuit in Arizona. 'As this is a confidential personnel matter, no further information will be provided until the investigation is concluded,' McKnight's statement said. 'Our commitment is to make our schools and parishes places where every child feels safe, supported, and valued. This necessitates not only immediate action when concerns arise but also a continuous evaluation of our policies to ensure we are doing everything possible to prevent harm. Through our efforts of accountability and transparency, we aim to foster trust and to respect the dignity of every person.' McKnight, former bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City, was installed May 27 as the 12th bishop and fifth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas after being appointed by Pope Francis on April 8 to replace retiring Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. 'I ask you to join me in prayers for all involved in this situation: our students, their families, Mr. Baniewicz, our school community and our archdiocesan community,' McKnight said in his statement. 'Thank you for your prayers and for your witness of faith. May Mary, Mother of Church, protect us and guide us as we strive to follow her son, Jesus.' In the 2005 lawsuit, Baniewicz was accused of sexually abusing a teen in 1985. The other defendants were the Rev. Mark Lehman and Monsignor Dale Fushek. The three were associated with St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Mesa, Arizona, at the time. Baniewicz and Fushek also were co-founders of Life Teen, a Catholic youth program that was used in hundreds of parishes worldwide. The suit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, alleged that Life Teen participant William Cesolini was abused by Baniewicz 'on more than one occasion' at St. Timothy's and by Lehman 'on several occasions.' It also alleged that Fushek, the church pastor, failed to stop or prevent the abuse, provided alcohol to Cesolini and watched Lehman sexually abuse the teen. It said the three threatened Cesolini if he reported them. The lawsuit was based on repressed memories that Cesolini — who later became a seminary student — said he recovered in 2003 while undergoing counseling at a parish in Gilbert, Arizona. After the case was filed, the Life Teen board placed Baniewicz on administrative leave while it investigated. He was reinstated a few months later, but resigned in May 2006. The Diocese of Phoenix and church officials were named as co-defendants in the suit for allegedly being negligent in overseeing the priests. The diocese agreed to pay Cesolini $100,000 in December 2006 to settle the suit. In 1992, Lehman was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the sexual abuse of a minor girl in a Phoenix parish and sentenced to lifetime parole for the sexual abuse of three other minor girls and one boy. He was defrocked in 2006 and died in 2018. Fushek, a onetime second-in-command of the Phoenix diocese, was charged in 2005 with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, indecent exposure and assault — all misdemeanors — stemming from incidents involving other youth in the Life Teen program. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault and was sentenced to 364 days' probation and a $250 fine. He was defrocked in 2009. Baniewicz was not charged with any crimes and started working at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, in the summer of 2006, where he was vice president of college relations for more than 3 1⁄2 years. After that, Baniewicz served for nearly 14 years as president of Maur Hill-Mount Academy, a college preparatory boarding school in Atchison. The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas told The Star in 2023 that Bishop Miege and church officials knew about the 2005 Arizona lawsuit when Baniewicz was hired. Benedictine College and Maur Hill-Mount Academy also knew of the allegations, the archdiocese said, and in each hiring process, 'the matter was resolved to the satisfaction of the hiring entities.' 'The allegations were made known not only to Bishop Miege's board, but were discussed openly by Mr. Baniewicz during the hiring process,' the archdiocese said in 2023. The archdiocese said that Baniewicz had emphatically denied any allegations of wrongdoing throughout. Early last year, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) demanded that Baniewicz be removed from his position at Bishop Miege and called on then-Archbishop Naumann to publicly address concerns about him. On Friday, David Clohessy, volunteer director of Missouri SNAP, criticized the archdiocese for releasing little information about the investigation. 'It's pathetic that Catholic officials continue to be so secretive about this man, his recent behavior and the (previous) child sex abuse report against him …' Clohessy said in a statement. 'While his suspension is welcome, he should never have been hired in the first place two years ago. 'Kids are safest when abuse allegations and concerns are reported to secular authorities like police and prosecutors, not to church officials. We hope every person who may have seen, suspected or suffered any misconduct by Phil Baniewicz or anyone at Bishop Miege High School will contact law enforcement as soon as possible. We also hope Archbishop Shawn McKnight will be more forthcoming soon and will use church resources to aggressively prod anyone with suspicions or knowledge of wrongdoing to contact law enforcement.' Hal VonWyl, then-chairman of Bishop Miege's board of trustees, announced Baniewicz's appointment as the school's president in a June 30, 2023, note on the school's website. 'Mr. Baniewicz has a wealth of experience and a passion for Catholic education, with an extensive background in fundraising and community engagement,' VonWyl said. The announcement included a statement from Naumann. 'Phil Baniewicz has been an exceptional leader for Maur Hill-Mount Academy,' Naumann said. 'Mr. Baniewicz is a man with a deep love for Jesus and His church. I am delighted that he will continue to use those leadership skills to serve Catholic schools as he begins his new responsibilities as the President of Bishop Miege High School.' Baniewicz was quoted in the announcement, saying he 'can't wait to be a part of the Miege family.' 'I have been blessed to watch the Lord do amazing things at MH-MA, and I now look forward to being a part of a great Catholic community at Bishop Miege and seeing what God has in store,' he said. In the note, VonWyl said the primary focus of the school's leadership team remained unchanged. 'The experience and expertise Mr. Baniewicz brings will undoubtedly contribute to this mission ensuring that our students continue to receive the highest quality education,' he said. In his statement Friday, McKnight said that 'In keeping with our protocols, our Office for Protection and Care is prepared and eager to listen to you, using a trauma-informed approach. Please call or text our hotline number at 913-276-8703 or visit
