Background
Armstrong was born in San Francisco, California. His father was a banker and his mother was a teacher.
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Peter Armstrong
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Education
Armstrong attended Saint Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park.
Career
The Pigskin Priest, was an American Roman Catholic priest incardinated in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. He served as the chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers for all five of their Super Bowl victories. He served in active ministry as a priest for 55 years before retiring in 2001 and held many civic and ministerial positions related to youth, sports, and social justice.
He said that he knew from a young age that he was called to be a priest.
When he was in high school, he went on a religious retreat where he felt the call to the priesthood. After being ordained in 1954, he was assigned to Saint Pius Parish where he started a Teen Club.
In 1959, he moved to Washington, District of Columbia, to attend The Catholic University of America, where he earned a Master"s Degree in social work. After graduating he returned to San Francisco where he eventually became the head of the Catholic Youth Organization (1965).
He served as the head of the Catholic Youth Organization until 1979.
In 1969 he was appointed as Director of Youth Activities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. In 1971 he became the President of the San Francisco Comprehensive Health Planning Council. In 1975 he became the Director of Saint Vincent’s School for Boys in San Rafael.
Armstrong grew up with San Franscico"s mayor George Moscone.
In 1976, Moscone asked Armstrong to serve on the city"s Park and Recreation Commission. Armstrong also served as the chairman of the Social Justice Commission of the Archdiocese and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Commission.
In 1977, Armstrong became the chaplain for the 49ers. Two years later, he returned to Saint Pius where he served for the next 22 years until retiring in 2001.
As both the chaplain for the 49ers and pastor for Saint Pius, Armstrong had busy Sundays.
If the 49ers were playing at home, he would officiate Mass at 8 am for the team and at 9:30 and 5:30 at his church. If the 49"ers had an away game, he traveled with the team Armstrong met the owner of the 49ers when he was serving on San Francisco"s Commission on Parks and Recreation.
The owner hired Armstrong to serve as the team"s chaplain.
From 1977 to at least 2001, Armstrong led Mass before every game the 49ers played. Armstrong flew on the corporate jet and sat in the owner"s box for every game.
Bill Walsh said that Armstrong served the 49ers as more than just a priest, but as an adviser and counselor for the whole team regardless of one"s religious beliefs. Walsh credits Armstrong with helping the team succeed.
He baptized Jerry Rice"s children and officiated Joe Montana"s, Dwight Clark"s, and Ronnie Lott"s marriages.
As the team"s official chaplain, the 49ers presented him with Super Bowl rings for each of their five championships.
Membership
As a member of the Commission, Armstrong convinced the 49ers owner, Eddie DeBartolo, to remove the artificial turf from Candlestick Park.
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Born
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Died
November 17, 2009 (aged 80) -
Nationality
United States -
Religion
Catholic