Pray Like a Champion Today: Sacred Stories from the Sidelines of Notre Dame Football

Pray Like a Champion Today takes you inside the heart of Notre Dame football, where faith, tradition, and teamwork unite. Before every game, as the Fighting Irish kneel together praying the Our Father, their chaplain Fr. Nate Wills, CSC, leads the rallying cry: “Our Lady, Queen of Victory!” followed by the thunderous response, “Pray for us!” Now Fr. Nate invites you beyond the sidelines for an exclusive look at the faith-filled moments that make Notre Dame football extraordinary. Through vivid storytelling, full-color photos, and links to highlight videos, he shares behind-the-scenes experiences that have strengthened his faith and offer inspiration for your own spiritual growth. As chaplain and professor, Fr. Nate guides players, coaches, and staff in their personal and spiritual journeys—handing out holy medals, praying with injured athletes, and even officiating weddings for former players. Walk with the team to the stadium amid roaring crowds, step inside intense practices where they embrace the motto “Choose hard,” and discover how faith shapes every part of the program from rituals to quiet reflection. Whether you're a die-hard Irish fan or a casual football follower, this book reveals how God moves in surprising places and invites all of us to pray, persevere, and play like champions today.