Saying a Hail Mary to Make a Hail Mary : Religion and Its Impact on Athletes

Religion is an integral part of modern society (Emmons). Whether one believes in it or not, the conversation is still happening thus influencing one’s personality. Although they are seen as larger than life, elite athletes are human as well and deal with a variety of human experiences such as loneliness, stress, anxiety, and lack of motivation. Coping with these things can be challenging and scary, as elite athletes often lack the time and attention they need for their mental health: this is where they can turn to religion. Religious athletes are proven to be more successful in mental health, success in their respective sport, and aggression when “in the zone”