Teams That Pray Together, Play Together

An Instagram account run by the Alabama football staff posted a picture of the team praying together following their 49-10 win over Tennessee. The picture (see below) shows Alabama head coach Nick Saban and his players on one knee with their heads bowed in prayer. The picture received high praise from the Alabama faithful and many college football fans, including thousands of "likes" and comments.

As a former D-1 college basketball player, the picture of Alabama football praying together was very powerful to me. In college, we always prayed together and it showed on the court. We bonded and we had great team chemistry. I'm not suggesting that's the only reason Alabama football is dominating every game, but I think prayer off the field helps lead to success on the field.

This also reminds me of the prayer that Coach Bear Bryant carried around with him everyday. Steve and I always play this prayer to open our show at 5a.m.: “This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss — good, not evil. Success, not failure in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it.”