James Kok, a former college basketball player who is executive pastor of the care ministry at Robert Schuller's famed Crystal
Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., says that most player-proselytizers are earnest believers whose religious lives involve "the most simple expression of faith. They take the
Bible very literally. They think of God in an almost physical way. He's their friend, their force, their power."
They certainly need Him on the field, given the brutal nature of their game and the unnatural contours of the ball. "The physics
of the way a football bounces is just endlessly complicated, "says Wood. "It's so complicated, in fact, that it's unpredictable. God does not control that."
Come Super Bowl Sunday, says Kok, the Lord will not be out there throwing or deflecting passes. Nor opening holes in the line.
Nor kicking field goals. "The outcome is dependent on human beings, not on God," Kok says. "He'll inspire players to do their best, but the outcome is up to them. They should ask for
guidance, wisdom, courage. Hopefully, He will be giving the players what they need to deal with adversity. Ask God to use your talent to the utmost. Be the best person out there. And, no, don't pray to win."
