Sense and Nonsense: PRAYER AND FOOTBALL

Let me start off by saying I believe in the power of prayer. I also believe that prayer in the NFL is not a bad thing. I have seen a lot of things happening in sports that are far, far worse than praying. I therefore have no problem with Tim Tebow or any other athlete praying. After all, there is even an athlete's prayer:

God, let me play well but fairly.
Help me to learn something that matters
once the game is over.
Let competition make me strong but never hostile.
Always let me help my opponent up.
Never catch me rejoicing in the adversity of others.
If I know victory, allow me to be happy; if I am denied, keep me from envy.
Remind me that sports are just games.
If through athletics I set an example,
let it be a good one.

What I do have a problem with is Tim Tebow being singled out by the media as being the inventor of prayer on the playing field. Professional football players have been praying long before Tebow was born. The first recorded prayer in the end zone was by Herb Lusk in 1977:

And yes, Tim Tebow prays

But so do many others. Michael Vick often gives thanks.

As did Deion Sanders during his playing days:

High school football players pray.

This cornerback was actually penalized for his praise. It was deemed to be "an illegal celebration."

There are almost 1700 National Football League players, and many of them prayer. They pray individually and as a team. They follow what Matthew 6:5-6 says, however, so we often don't see them.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."