Pray Like a Champion Today

Faith, football, and everyday life come together in Fr. Nate Wills’ book Pray Like a Champion Today. This book blends Fr. Nate’s unique experiences as the chaplain for the Notre Dame football team with practical spiritual reflections for anyone, whether football fan or not! Each lively chapter begins with an engaging story from Fr. Nate’s time with the team—moments of humor, challenge, or inspiration—and then he ties that moment into a reflection on faith. Each chapter ends with a “Pray Like a Champion” challenge that we can each act on in our daily lives, helping us apply the book’s lessons in a specific and actionable way! This approachable style makes Pray Like a Champion Today enjoyable for both sports fans and anyone else seeking a deeper connection with God in the midst of their daily routine.

The authenticity of Fr. Nate’s stories make them immediately relatable and compelling! He shares moments of personal doubt, excitement, confusion, and triumph in his presence with the team, but also in his encounters with friends, students, family, and others. Fr. Nate shares anecdotes of chatting with referees before games, joining top-tier players in the weight room, and recounting the nervous energy before kickoff, and in these experiences he explores how the role of a chaplain extends far beyond simply offering prayers for athletes. These moments highlight his commitment to walking with the athletes as both a spiritual guide and a companion who understands the many…

Fr. Nate has captured the spirit and culture of Notre Dame in this inspiring and entertaining book. He walks side by side with the players, coaches, students, and fans, celebrating victories and supporting each other through difficulties and disappointments-not just game wins and losses, but also injuries and personal challenges. St. Francis said, "Preach always, use words only if you must." There is no preaching in this book, although he weaves in some wonderful stories of saints honored with the holy medals he distributes.. Through his storytelling, Fr. Nate shows us clearly that love, trust, and faith triumph over all, and demonstrates that choosing hard and focusing on team achievement paradoxically leads to the greatest level of personal fulfillment. This book is about much more than football, although there are some great football stories. It is about life.

Pray Like a Champion Today is an essential read for Notre Dame fans and college football enthusiasts, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. Fr. Nate’s engaging stories from both on and off the field will connect with everyone and highlight the impact faith and spirituality can have on lives. For Notre Dame alumni and supporters, this book provides an inside look at how deeply the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross has influenced the people featured, including the author himself in his own spiritual path. Alongside other works by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Fr. Nate captures the Holy Cross motto of Ave Crux, Spes Unica: Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope, and shows its relevance to all parts of life. And as always, Go Irish!

Fr. Nate’s Fire for Christ — On and Off the Field at Notre Dame

It’s not every day a friend writes a book that captures something truly sacred.

Fr. Nate — Chaplain to the Notre Dame Football Team — is one of the most genuine, Spirit-filled men I’ve ever met. I remember turning to my wife during freshman move-in and saying, “This dude is absolutely on fire with the Holy Spirit.” Now, that same fire is pouring out through the release of his new book.

Pray Like a Champion Today, isn’t just another book on Notre Dame football or Catholic spirituality. It’s 18 powerful, soul-shaping moments pulled straight from the heart of his experience on the Notre Dame sidelines and in the locker room— written by someone who’s lived it day in and day out. The faith. The mission. The discipleship. Not from a pulpit, but from within the brotherhood of the players, coaches and staff.

You don’t have to wear a gold helmet to connect with this book. Fr. Nate brings together faith, football, and brotherhood in a way that reminds you what really matters — showing up for others, staying rooted in prayer, and living with purpose no matter the pressure.

What hit me especially hard from the very first time hearing about it from him, seeing it on social media and then reading more about it in his book is his tradition of handing out saints medals during game week.. Fr. Nate has a practice of handing out saints medals during game weeks. It might seem like a small gesture. But it’s not. It’s legacy…