Role of religion in college sports

None. I don’t care if a couple of people want to get together and pray for some inexplicable reason after a game but the spectacle annoys me and I do have a problem if participation is coerced which it is in many cases it is. TBH it’s probably coerced outside of the professional leagues. Certainly not in high school unless it’s a religious institution.

 

I don't know how to build culture these days.

I don't think DEI culture is strong enough to win anything. Too many participation trophies. I also don't think a religious top down authority culture is sustainable. Eventually that style breaks down contributors under the weight of replacing essential cogs with new ones.

I think it matches up with the divide we see in politics.

Mullen tried to split the difference and we see what that got us.

 

Didn’t know that about Napier. There are Christians then there are Christians. Don’t have much use for evangelicals of any religion. They’ve caused great heartache throughout history. So, in my opinion, it’s something to keep an eye on with Napier.

 

With football coaches it’s about the record. If he takes us into the playoffs in the next 2-3 years even then people mostly look the other way (barring something totally crazy or controversial, and there’s no reason to anticipate that anyway). If he loses, then some overbearing Christian schtick would play about as well as Darth Vader. But I haven’t seen anything to indicate an issue either way, increased discipline is a good thing and doesn’t have to be overtly religious. Napier seems like a good guy and that’s all I need to know or want to know about his religious choices. So it’s really all about performance.

 

It’s very obvious that we don’t have many season ticket holders opining here. UF Football has for many years had a very heavy participation in FCA and this years team has a good 75% going to the Nend zone to kneel and pray before kickoff.

 

I like him too. And I have nothing against religion. (I attend church occasionally, mostly African American ones because I like a good sermon and audience participation.) I can't imagine Napier will be as publicly overt about his faith as Tebow was, which I found annoying. He knows the Gator nation is a diverse one, and that it's not his job to proselytize.

 

Smack of coercion, 75% of Americans are not Christian. I’d wager a plurality of Americans are non religious. Certainly church attendence is dropping like a rock. I understand the position of those who are unwillingly participating but I admire the courage of those who resist.

 

Good for them, as long as they do it voluntarily.
BTW, I know from experience that most of that 75% are just going with the flow. I've been a season ticket holder for 50 years.

 

Very well stated.

 

This is the first I’ve heard about Napier being religious, but frankly I’m not surprised. His lack of outbursts on the sidelines after some very questionable calls is worrisome. I’ll be honest, I want a coach who yells, screams and cusses like a sailor. I can’t think of the last head coach who has a cussing rule at practice that has done anything at the national level of note.

 

I get this and my disdain for religion is pretty well known on this sight. One of the things I think needs to be said is this is the first I have heard of Napier being religious. If he keeps quiet and shows his faith thru his actions instead of proselytizing I am good with it.

 

If it’s coercion, then Pell, Hall, Spurrier, Zook, Meyer, Muschamp, McElwain, and Mullen were coercing them as well.

 

Couldn't sing and couldn't play guitar. Could write a song. 1/3. I rest my case

 

I’ll say it, because none of you all will. Let us hope god isn’t blessing Texas, this weekend.

 

Have a link for that 75% of Americans are not Christian?

 

Like the late Al Davis said, "Just win baby"

 

Wow that seems to be a really hard rule to have. My son’s HS football team seems to drop the fbomb every other play.

 

If you don't want to cuss, then don't. It's a pressure release valve for some people. We aren't all wired the same and it isn't even appropriate for someone naturally mild mannered to tell someone else who isn't to hold it in while playing a violent sport. Prohibit swearing and you're going to have more fistfights. I'm not talking about directing it at other people. That isn't appropriate. I'm talking about being allowed to let off frustration when things aren't going well.

 

Yep, you already see that in the recruiting strategy. You may not get THE top class each year …but it will be a top 5 to 10 class without all the BS you see at schools like MIA and TAM coupled with great culture….something that has been lacking in the UF FB program many years. Sign me up. I see BN building a CLEM-like model but probably with more BAMA overtones when it comes to recruiting (more willingness to use the portal, not being as stingy with offers, etc….)

The question is……will BN get the time to build it and can he find creative ways to win in the interim.