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U.S. Navy Chaplain Zachary Parker of Merritt Island Will Serve Families at Arlington National Cemetery

By  //  June 22, 2025

tried out for Jacksonville Sharks football team

United States Navy Chaplain Zachary Parker is currently stationed in Jacksonville but will soon be stationed at the Washington Navy Yard, in our nation’s capital, serving families at Arlington National Cemetery. Earlier this year, he did something rather unique in that he tried out for a professional indoor football team, the Jacksonville Sharks.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – I first met United States Navy Chaplain Zachary Parker approximately one year ago when he spoke at an event at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center. 

Parker is a graduate of Merritt Island High School and is currently stationed in Jacksonville.

Parker told me recently that, “My family and I will be taking our next set of orders where I will be the chaplain for the Washington Navy Yard. Part of my duties will be to serve the families of the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery.

We are beyond honored, humbled, and excited to move to D.C. for at least three years.”

What an amazing honor this is for Chaplain Parker. It gives me a good feeling to call him a friend.

But, first things first. Parker recently did something that I assume most Navy Chaplains do not do: he tried out for a professional football team, the Jacksonville Sharks of the Indoor Football League, which is the longest-running indoor football league in the country.

U.S. Navy Chaplain Zachary Parker, above center, with the Jacksonville Sharks professional football team. After Parker’s tryout for the team, one of the team owners said, “You’re in the Navy? I’m telling Coach—we’ve got to sign you to the inactive roster. We’ve got to keep you close. Parker said, “Since then, I’ve had the chance to lead a beach workout for the team and offer a pregame locker room prayer—both moments of deep gratitude and purpose.”
U.S. Navy Chaplain  Zachary Parker is with the Jacksonville Sharks professional football team. Parker is a graduate of Merritt Island High School and is currently stationed in Jacksonville.

Parker can tell the story better than I. So, below is a note I received from him talking about his tryout for the Sharks:

Growing up, I was never allowed to play football. After a childhood injury to my spleen, my mom shut that door for good reason.

Still, the love for the game never left me. I managed to sneak into one spring game going into my senior year at Merritt Island High School. That was it. Just one taste.

It always felt like unfinished business.

So, when a tryout opportunity came around with the Jacksonville Sharks in the Indoor Football League, I went for it. Not because I planned to play—my commitment to the Navy remains my priority—but because I owed it to myself to step on the field, give my all, and close that chapter with honor.

Thankful to my wife for supporting! I competed hard and made it to the final round, even going head-to-head with a former Division I quarterback in a 7v7 drill to conclude the day.

Afterward, one of the team owners approached me and said, “You’re in the Navy? I’m telling Coach—we’ve got to sign you to the inactive roster. We’ve got to keep you close.

That meant a lot.

Since then, I’ve had the chance to lead a beach workout for the team and offer a pregame locker room prayer—both moments of deep gratitude and purpose.

I’m thankful for the Sharks organization for honoring both the athlete and the chaplain in me.

Zachary C. Parker, United States Navy Chaplain, is a true American hero. He is guided by his faith in everything that he does. He is a credit to his community and his country. We need more people in this world like Zack Parker.

For more information on Parker’s tryout with the Jacksonville Sharks, courtesy of JAXSHARKS, CLICK HERE.

U.S. Navy Chaplain Zachary Parker, above center, with the Jacksonville Sharks professional football team. After Parker’s tryout for the team, one of the team owners said, “You’re in the Navy? I’m telling Coach—we’ve got to sign you to the inactive roster. We’ve got to keep you close. Parker said, “Since then, I’ve had the chance to lead a beach workout for the team and offer a pregame locker room prayer—both moments of deep gratitude and purpose.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events significant to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.