Pray and Play: The Impact of Fellowship of Christian Athletes on Spiritual Development, Belonging, and Coping for African American Collegiate Football Players

Holistic student-athlete development traditionally emphasizes academic, social, and physical domains, while spiritual development remains comparatively understudied. African American football student-athletes (AAFSAs) navigate complex identity intersections that may heighten the importance of spiritual meaning-making and coping resources. This study examines Division I African American football players’ perceptions of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and its influence on spiritual development, belonging, and coping. Grounded in Fowler’s and Parks’ Faith Development Theory, an exploratory mixed-method survey was administered to AAFSAs in Kentucky. Findings suggest that FCA fosters relational belonging, facilitates integration of faith and athletic identity, and supports positive religious coping strategies. Implications for higher education professionals and athletic departments are discussed. Pray and Play: The Impact of Fellowship of Christian Athletes on Spiritual Development, Belonging, and Coping for African American Collegiate Football Players.