Pray Like a Champion Today
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Description
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.
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:
- Join the players’ walk to the stadium, where a roaring crowd and the Notre Dame band create an electrifying atmosphere.
- Step inside practices and the training facility, where the team embraces the motto: “Choose hard” and pursues “team glory.”
- 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.
Product Details
- Pages: 160
- Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN: 9781646804252
- Imprint: Ave Maria Press
Description
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.
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:
- Join the players’ walk to the stadium, where a roaring crowd and the Notre Dame band create an electrifying atmosphere.
- Step inside practices and the training facility, where the team embraces the motto: “Choose hard” and pursues “team glory.”
- 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.
Product Details
- Pages: 160
- Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN: 9781646804252
- Imprint: Ave Maria Press
Customer Reviews
- MMMike M.Verified ReviewerYesterdayRated 5 out of 5 starsA must-read for all college football, especially Notre Dame, fans!
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!
- RLRick L.Verified ReviewerYesterdayRated 5 out of 5 starsFr. Nate’s Fire for Christ — On and Off the Field at Notre Dame ☘️
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…
- DADan A.Verified ReviewerYesterdayRated 5 out of 5 starsHeartwarming and inspiring
Fr. Nate's devotion to those in his pastoral care comes through in each of these stories. It was a joy to see a side of Notre Dame Football that is not as well-known but that has a longer-lasting impact than any results on the field.
- AWAmy W.Verified Reviewer2 days agoRated 5 out of 5 starsInspiring for all!
This book is fun, educational, and heart warming. Father Nate Wills shares his experiences with the Notre Dame football team, while also sharing personal stories and connections to things he learned along the way. Father Nate is a natural story teller and that comes through in every chapter! I loved how he easily and effortlessly connected each story to different scriptures, and how he added a special prayer request at the end of each chapter. Whether you’re a Notre Dame fan looking for an inside perspective of this football team, or you’re looking for a fun, inspiring story, this book is for you!
- JJoe5 days agoRated 5 out of 5 stars5 Stars
Great read. Fr. Nate is the best! Go Irish!
- JWJohn W.Verified Reviewer3 weeks agoRated 5 out of 5 starsReflective and Inspirational!
This book is captivating from the beginning to the end! One minute you are reading about the details of the Notre Dame football program, and without even realizing it it's been connected to the gospels! The author does an excellent job of not only sharing an insight look to Notre Dame football, but also to how Jesus is a present and with us in everyday life. This book points you to Jesus before you even realize it! Fr. Nate is flat out awesome in his ability to point people of all backgrounds to Jesus and to inspire them to be more intentional and aware of how crucial their faith journey is. This book meets you where you're at in your faith journey which is why I couldn't put it down! I thought I was just going to read about inside stories from Notre Dame football but in reality, I was being connected with Jesus without realizing it. Fr. Nate meets you on your faith journey and connects the presence of Jesus on the sidelines of Notre Dame football to His presence in our own lives. A must read for any fan of life and faith!
- JBJohn B.Verified Reviewer1 month agoRated 5 out of 5 starsSome but not all of a great priestly experience
I am the former chaplain of a professional football team in Wisconsin. The chaplain's access to players and coaches and support staff is one of respect and confidentiality. For each of the many poignant and heart warming stories in the book, I believe there are many others left out to protect that special bond/relationship between chaplain and team. Thanks, Fr. Nate. Continue to pray and shake down the thunder!
