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| The genesis: US college gridiron prayer |
Football players aren’t the brightest people in the world. Unlike with other sports, football coaches are like little gods who warp sculpt their wards, guiding not just decisions but shaping a player’s morality from an early age.
Football teams often become like religions to these young men, evolving into a brainwashed way of life in their adult life. The individual is soon lost, replaced by a cookie cutter mentality that robs all imagination and free will. Thinking for oneself is tantamount to failure, or worse a kind of perverse treason against one’s team – and god.
The CFL, despite being the product of a Canadian non-denominational, non-religious country, hosts a majority of American players, usually from the southern part of that country. It is a part that is deeply religious. That religiosity is brought up to Canada and displayed openly on gridirons across the country.
I admit I find it a little uncomfortable sitting in the stands anticipating a CFL game when I witness the players trotting into the end zones, praying and pointing to the sky. That’s nothing compared to after the game, when these players are joined by others in ‘prayer circles’. This is not sport. It is a church and it is creepy.
Religion and football coexist comfortably, and many CFL players speak freely about faith and its role in their preparation.“We want to get things off our chest and not be judged as weak, and confiding helps us play freer,” Argos defensive end Ricky Foley said. “I pray for strength and guidance. ”
You know Rick, why don’t you be an adult and dig deep down inside into your own belief system and think for yourself? Strength is within you; you don’t have to be guided there. Think for yourself! You’d probably be a better player and certainly a better man.
