Two NFL Hall of Famers and former Kansas City Chiefs teammates recently concluded a trip to Israel, advocating for the release of Hamas hostages. The five-day trip, sponsored by Athletes for Israel, saw Nick Lowery and Tony Richardson actively engaging in diplomatic efforts. Their visit coincided with a diplomatic breakthrough resulting in the release of some hostages, with more expected.
Lowery, the Chiefs’ all-time leading scorer, emphasized the significance of off-field contributions, stating that his community work holds more weight than his football accomplishments. He highlights the importance of community impact as a lasting legacy.
Lowery, actively combats antisemitism and racism, focusing on the plight of hostages like 20-year-old Naama Levy, who was captured from her surveillance post near Gaza. Reports indicate numerous casualties and hostages taken that day.
Footage depicting Levy’s abduction, showing her injured and bound, prompted Lowery’s social media plea: “Naama can’t speak. But we, athletes of the world, must speak for her now.”
Lowery participates in the #SportSpeaksUp campaign, spearheaded by Project Max, an organization combating intolerance through sports. The initiative receives support from Athletes for Israel.
In Israel, Lowery met with President Isaac Herzog, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and IDF soldiers. He visited the Nova music festival massacre site, describing the scene as profoundly impactful, emphasizing the loss of life and the tributes to the victims.
Lowery underwent a re-baptism at the Sea of Galilee and visited the Western Wall, describing a deeply moving spiritual experience.
“As a Christian, simply touching the wall, it feels like you’re connecting to God,” Lowery shared.
Lowery and Richardson visited Hostage Square, viewing a commemorative dinner table representing each hostage. Levy’s chair was adorned with flowers.
They met with Levy’s father, Yoni, and brother, Amit, who shared details about Levy’s personality, aspirations, and strong will.
Amit Levy confirmed Lowery’s engagement with their family’s story, adding that Levy’s resilience inspires those who hear her story.
Amit described Levy as a fun-loving teenager with a strong family bond, including her mother (the Israeli national soccer team doctor), and siblings Michal and Omri. He described her as a caring and moral individual dedicated to peace and helping others.
Levy’s background includes a high school diplomacy major and volunteer work at a kindergarten for African refugees. She also participated in a “Hands of Peace” delegation fostering Israeli-Palestinian youth collaboration.
Amit acknowledged Levy’s idealism, mentioning that he sometimes cautioned her about the world’s complexities.
He also recalled Levy’s childhood passion for triathlons.
The last confirmed sighting of Levy was in December 2023, when released hostages described seeing her injured in Gaza tunnels.
Nearly 500 days have passed since Levy’s abduction, with no further updates. Her family holds onto hope, emphasizing her mental and physical strength and her determination to survive.
Lowery also visited the soccer field in Majdal Shams, Golan Heights, where a Hezbollah rocket attack resulted in numerous child casualties. He comforted a grieving 13-year-old boy.
Rubin recounted how the group played soccer with the children, momentarily alleviating their grief, creating a positive atmosphere within the community.
Lowery noted the resilience of Israelis, observing their spirit of perseverance even in the face of adversity.
Lowery’s commitment stems from his grandmother’s documentation of atrocities at Dachau. He aims to unite Jews and Christians, vowing continued support for affected families.
“I feel so honored to know these people. They’re in my heart now,” Lowery said. “Maybe football is a tough sport, but this is the most important work we’ve ever done…. We’re bonded for life.”