Pray Like a Champion Today takes you inside the heart of Notre Dame football--where faith, tradition, and teamwork collide. Before every game, as the Fighting Irish take a knee shoulder to shoulder praying the Our Father, their chaplain, Fr. Nate Wills, CSC, leads them in a rallying cry: "Our Lady, Queen of Victory!" The thunderous response--"Pray for us!"--echoes through Notre Dame Stadium, setting the tone for more than just the game.
Now, Fr. Nate invites you beyond the sidelines for an exclusive look at the faith-filled moments that make Notre Dame football truly special. With vivid storytelling, full-color photos, and links to highlight videos, he shares behind-the-scenes experiences that have deepened his faith--and offers inspiration for you to grow as a Christian too.
Winner of a 2026 CMA Book Award from the Catholic Media Association: First-Time Author of Theological Subject Matters (Honorable Mention).
As both a football chaplain and a professor, Fr. Nate does far more than pray before kickoff--he supports the players, coaches, and staff in their personal and spiritual journeys. Whether he's continuing the century-old tradition of handing out holy medals, praying with injured athletes, or officiating weddings for former players, he embodies what it means to be a champion of faith.
Through these pages, you'll:
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Join the players' walk to the stadium, where a roaring crowd and the Notre Dame band create an electrifying atmosphere.
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Step inside practices and the training facility, where the team embraces the motto: "Choose hard" and pursues "team glory."
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Discover how faith is embedded in every aspect of the program, from game-day rituals to personal moments of reflection.
For die-hard Irish fans and casual football followers alike, this book is more than a sports story--it's an invitation to see how God moves in unexpected places. Whether on the field or in our personal lives, we're all called to pray, persevere, and play like champions today.
