While it might be a bit of a stretch to declare football the religion of males, there are certainly a lot of guys who follow their favorite team with a religious fervor.

The New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange, N.J., attempts to tap into this energy one Sunday a year when they hold a service in which the congregation is encouraged to wear football jerseys, football-style banners and posters adorn the chapel walls and the faithful do the wave between songs of worships. Following the festivities there is a tailgate party of hot dogs and chips. (But no thermoses of vodka-spiked fruit punch, we're assuming.)

The Rev. Dwight Gill started the tradition as way to draw men into his church, which is 75 percent female. This November, the service drew almost 2,000 worshipers overall, and the church picked up 10 new male members in its aftermath.

We couldn't help noticing the one thing missing from the whole production is any actual football. Which is why we'd probably tell the Reverend, "Nice try, but we're going to catch the pre-game show on ESPN instead."

From the Web:
The 10 Fattest Coaches in Football
Anyone arriving late to practice will be sat on. (Bleacher Report)
5 Horrific Ways You Brain Turns on You
My brain is going to explode! (Cracked)