Crimson Tide coaches offer support on, off field

MIAMI, Fla. (WALA) - The Crimson Tide football team doesn’t achieve success by chance. Its hard work, dedication and coaching staff make a difference in the player’s performance both on and off the field.

Behind the scenes, athletes at the University of Alabama can engage in spiritual opportunities whether it’s going to a bible study, sitting down one-on-one with a spiritual leader or attending chapel before a competition or game.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes also known as FCA, is an organization that's been working alongside athletes (the football team in particular) since 1964. It’s the oldest FCA collegiate huddle in the country and was created to give athletes a platform to share and grow in their faith.

University of Alabama's FCA Director Coach Gary Cramer said he and his staff build relationships with the football players and become an integrated part of their lives.

The spiritual staff goes to practices and games where they stand on the sideline showing support for the team. At times, Cramer said he will sit in the dining hall with a bible open, waiting for students to come and engage in conversation.

“We meet with every athlete on campus whether you’re from the Jewish background, Islamic background, atheist, you may be an atheist. They know we’re on their team, and we love them, and we want to see them maximize their potential as to the gifts they’ve been given,” Cramer said. 

So before the Crimson Tide football team runs on the football field focused and prepared to win; before the bands plays "Yea Alabama" and the crowd goes crazy, before the grand entrance; the scene is much different.

For some it's silent.

Before every football game, Cramer said players can voluntarily engage in a time of prayer and reflection with God.

When the team plays a home game, Cramer said athletes can go to a Catholic or Protestant service and for away games, a priest and minister travel with the team.

At away games, the team holds chapel in a room in the hotel they’re staying in.

Cramer said for every game there is a schedule and there isn’t a detail in the football program that goes unlooked, including where chapel is going to be held every game day.

"It's about coming and engaging God on his turf and really setting that time aside to commit yourself to playing that game that day for His glory,” said Cramer. “We don't go there and say God is our rabbit foot, touchdown Jesus, and were fixing to play Notre Dame! I don't think God's taking sides up there. I think where he gets His greatest thrill is seeing these men and coaches and maximizing who he created them to be."

On January 7 in Miami before the BCS National Championship game, Cramer said the parents of the football players will gather in a conference room in the hotel for a time of prayer. He said the parents will pray together and he encourages them to commit the game and everything about it to the glory of God.

Cramer said he and his staff work in conjunction with the football staff encouraging the team to play like champions in every aspect of their lives.

He said the staff has a saying ‘the crystal trophy is not big enough’ to help motivate the team.

The FCA staff believes the only way to have success at the end of the day is to know you gave everything you had and used everything you were given to glorify the God who gave it to you.

Cramer said FCA’s formula for success supports Coach Saban’s process encouraging players to fulfill their full potential.

“I think you see evidence of it on the field. I think what we do with the athletes really just comes alongside of what coach Saban is trying to do in the program as a whole. That is to prepare them to flourish in the opportunity they’ve been given,” Cramer said.

He said Coach Saban never focuses on the other team. Rather, he focuses on Alabama and building the team both on and off the field. Cramer said FCA plugs into that process and helps the young men become men of integrity off the field and men of integrity in the classroom.

"We tell them go out there to win and think like winners, and we think that's reflected everywhere. Not just on that field, it's off the field (and) it's in your private life. Its parts of your life nobody knows, and nobody sees into. What kind of man are you there? Are you authentic? And we really emphasize that a lot," Cramer said.

During bowl week, the players are given an opportunity to participate in a daily devotional to get their mind and spirit ready to defeat the opponent.

Cramer said each bowl week has a theme. The last devotional was centered on the Greek word ‘karios’ which means ‘time’.

Cramer said it emphasizes the players have one opportunity to make something happen so every day they can spend 5, 10 or 15 minutes in prayer using that devotional.

“I don't think God minds us praying for a win. He says he wants to hear the desires of our hearts," Cramer said. “He tells us in His word we should play the game in such a way we should win. Paul tells the boxer fight the