College football athletes have always displayed their religious affinities. In their best moments, at their worst after losing the natty final—what remains constant and perhaps what keeps the players humble is that superpower. Of course, it’s not a homogeneous phenomenon. Everyone has their own ways of displaying their religion. For some, it’s kneeling down and praying; for others, it’s touching their locket or chain. That’s not just players. We have seen Deion Sanders’ public posts and media interviews about how God saved his life.

Seeing young athletes flexing their relationship with God in front of thousands of flashlights and unprecedented media attention speaks volumes about the values of the players. It’s truly inspiring to see the divine aura surrounding the chaos of the gridiron and the hectic life choices of the kids. It is even more tantalizing to see them participate in religious activities. The latest one to follow this trend is Bear Alexander, the new Ducks defensive bayonet.

Defensive lineman Bear Alexander’s portal recruitment pandemonium finally came to a decisive halt as the standout former USC player found his new home in Eugene. A few months back, the redshirt DL announced that he would play for the Ducks next season, utilizing one more year of his collegiate eligibility. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Alexander can be a huge asset on the interior; however, his track record still weighed in on some problems. But it’s safe to say coach Lanning and the defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi (a big part of Alexander’s recruitment) have a nose for smelling potential and excellence. The Florida native is again turning the heads of the college football community, but this time for an outright different reason.

The former USC player shared a video of his attending the baptism rituals (immersing in water) and convincingly reaching a bit closer to God. The video captured the attention of the fans big time, with many of them congratulating the kid for his new journey to salvation, far beyond the rat race of the scoreboard and the competitive aura prevailing under his jersey. Most notably, the video garnered a digital endorsement from Deion Sanders Jr, Coach Prime’s son, and former USC player Caleb Williams. They both liked the post, showcasing their admiration of Alexander’s act.

Williams has been a staunch advocate of Jesus’ education and practice amidst football, and back in 2023, when he stood up at the podium, winning a Heisman trophy, the Chicago Bears QB1 announced that Catholic education made him a man for others. He expressed his gratitude for his time at the Jesuit-run all-boys Catholic school (Gonzaga College High School), where he graduated. Supporting his junior at South California in his distinctive religious event of life once again reaffirmed his stern faith in the supreme.

On the other hand, Deion Sanders Jr. has seen his father being vocal and upfront about his religious beliefs and pursuits and the attempt to make it a culture in Boulder, no matter how many flakes it brought him to the table.

Coach Prime remains steadfast in his religious belief amidst the growing pressure 

Finding himself in the middle of a religious conundrum is never new for Deion Sanders. This time, things got too far to be resolved in the air as Sanders allowed Pastor Dewey Smith to lead a post-game prayer after a victory against Baylor University.

Nurturing and cultivating one’s personal religious faith is never a crime. But injecting it into an institutional mass might be. According to the FFRF (Freedom From Religion Foundation), if a spiritual advisor conducts prayers at a public institution pertaining to certain religious coercion, it might potentially make players and staff members of other religions feel left out, affecting the team’s integrity and harmony. The governing body issued a four-page warning letter to the Colorado coach, condemning his actions with reasons.

However, rather than getting embroiled in the controversy, Sanders, as always, looked past the debate with minimal yet sharp response from his side. “Hold on, everything will be ok. God got this. #CoachPrime”, the Colorado architect wrote on his X handle.

For Sanders, faith is not just a personal belief; rather, it’s the very essence of the culture he’s building in Colorado. He believes that infusing values, ethics, and discipline through Christianity can help the kids become the best version of themselves both as athletes and as human beings in their lives, promoting a holistic good vibe inside the program. The debate of faith vs influence is likely to stretch longer than the horizon, but players and coaches continue to walk in their path, with or without the nod from the higher-ups.