Reminding and Inviting Players to Pray for Coaches

Prayer is a priority in Sports and Spirituality. I am always considering best practices around teaching It. On a regular basis I re-examine how to pray, why it matters, and who we pray for. It’s a task that is both challenging and exciting, rewarding and revelatory. 

Prayer is our effort to reach out to God, and I continue to be amazed at the many ways God reaches us—quietly, kindly, and lovingly. There is always a surprise, and this week was no exception: an insight came from an unexpected person in an unexpected place. A comment from sports pundit Stephen A. Smith—about Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon striking one of his players—led me to genuine, searching questions about prayer. God continues to write straight on crooked lines. Here’s the story.

The bell rings, students are in their desk and before I reach the agenda, we have time for prayer and a sports thought of the day. I hope this daily ritual offers students a sacred pause—a meaningful moment in their day. For the first three weeks, I lead and model different forms of prayer, introducing a variety of styles and practices that students might later choose to use when it’s their turn to lead.

I resist the idea of “evaluating” prayer; instead, I see my role as guiding and supporting students in this shared practice. Each semester, I look for ways to deepen and improve the experience—for them and for our community as a whole. At times the responsibility of leading prayer can be uncomfortable and impersonal. On other occasions it is beautiful, joyful and inspiring. It is always dynamic— a privilege, an opportunity, and an invitation to encounter the Lord.

An important part of leading prayer is talking about prayer and why its important. Our text book "On the Eighth Day: A Catholic Theology of Sport" speaks of prayer as an important routine and ritual for coaches and athletes. 

Prayer is more than simply asking God for things. According to Ward, prayer is an open stance to and experience of God. It is an act of faith, where one maintains a fundamental disposition of reception because “God gives continually, without abatement.” Instead of being concerned with whether God will give the gift we ask for, a more authentic stance focuses on opening ourselves to God by asking for assistance. At a fundamental level, humans have been gifted with life from the Creator; in prayer, we are willing to receive other gifts as a sign of our acceptance of this original gift.

I love the framing of prayer as a stance—ideally an open one! 

The text also takes on the question of praying for the win. We discussed why we do this, even when we know we ought to pray not for the outcome of a game, but rather that we play our best, stay healthy and have fun.

I asked students to reflect on their own experiences of praying with their teammates and coaches. I asked them if they think their coaches pray for them. I don't think they had ever considered this question before. I didn't get a lot of responses so I asked my class, "Do you pray for your coaches?" Again, silence. I followed up with another question. I asked, "Why do you think it might be important that you do pray for them?"

Rather than return to the notion of alignment or a disposition of reception, I said "well the events in Arizona with Coach Jonathan Gannon certainly speak to why you might." While a few students knew the reference, most did not. I said "this is a good reason for ChatGPT, but I can explain this fairly quickly."

During a game against the Tennessee Titans,Cardinals WR Demercado appeared to drop the football before crossing the goal line on what would have been a 72-yard touchdown. The play was ruled a fumble/touchback instead. This proved to be a costly error in a game the Cardinals ultimately lost 22-21. 

It's hard to understand how Demercado let this happen. I can't and won't answer that. However, for the purpose of this post, it's important to know that in response to what occurred, Gannon went onto the sideline, confronted Demercado, and made physical contact (a swing at his arm) during the confrontation. He snapped in a big way. In short, he hit his own player. 

The next day, Gannon apologized in a team meeting and in a press conference. He admitted that he “let the moment get the better of me,” and said the behavior did not reflect who he wants to be as a leader. 

The Cardinals internal review led them to fine Gannon $100,000. The NFL decided not to impose any additional discipline. 

Demercado accepted responsibility for his mistake, stating there was “no excuse” for letting go of the ball. 

Although football is an emotional game and a physical one—confrontation in this way is not acceptable or to be tolerated. It is also rare. 

Sports talk radio and TV were asked their opinion on this event. I personally heard Stephen A. Smith's take. He made it VERY clear that Coach Gannon was wrong in taking physical action. Very clear. But he noted, this speaks to the pressure that these coaches are under. You lose but three games and you are fired. I asked my students if they think their coaches feel pressure to win. They nodded in understanding. I said "pray for them." They got it. We got it. I get it. 

Through prayer, I learn more about my students and about God and even myself. And this past week, I came to realize that it's important to remind one another to pray, to pray for each other and to know that others are praying for us. Through prayer, God can help us grow in love, empathy and compassion. Prayer, after all, is a privilege, an opportunity, and an invitation to encounter the Lord.

There is much more to write about prayer...

1. Why I have shied away from asking students for petitions (sad)
2. What my students have learned through our study of the Supreme Court Case of Kennedy vs. Bremerton (2022). 
3. One best practice in prayer: A.C.T.S (learned a lot through this one!)
   
4. Why we continue to pray for the win. Go Irish ;-) 
5. Why there's no better goal than helping students to pray and yet, why it's so tough.

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