Does God play favorites on the gridiron?

(RNS) When the Auburn Tigers won the BCS college football championship
against the Oregon Ducks, Auburn coach Gene Chizik thanked God. The
team's star quarterback, Cam Newton, said he felt his performance showed
what God can do.

Thanking God has now become almost commonplace among athletes. With
the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers about to face off in Super
Bowl XLV, does God play favorites in sports? These 12 are among the most
notable God-thankers in sports.

12. Muhammad Ali

Any list has to include the boxing legend who both praises the
Almighty and talks about himself with a self-aware knockout dose of
hubris.

"Almighty God was with me. I want everyone to bear witness, I am the
greatest! I'm the greatest thing that ever lived. ... I must be the
greatest. I showed the world. I talk to God every day. I know the real
God. I shook up the world, I'm the king of the world," Ali said after
defeating Sonny Liston for the first time on Feb. 25, 1964.

11. Pat Day

A little man with big faith, Pat Day won many races as a jockey, but
he only won the Kentucky Derby once, in 1992. And when he did, he didn't
even dismount before praising God.

"Immediately after the Kentucky Derby, I lifted my hands up, and I
was praising God for again allowing me the thrill of being in the
winner's circle ... " Day recalled in an interview with the Christian
Broadcasting Network. "It's a joyous occasion, and I couldn't help
myself. I lifted my hands to the heavens and was praising God."