Dec 16, 2007 7:00 pm US/Eastern
Power Of Prayer Responsible For Dolphins' Win?
Dolphins Beat Ravens, 22-16 with dramatic OT Touchdown
Jim DeFede Is A Commentator For CBS4 News
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Could the power of prayer be responsible for Dolphins' win against the Baltimore Ravens? What may have been one of the most impressive plays of the season, the Miami Dolphins Greg Camarillo's 64 yard touchdown in overtime was the key to keep the Fins from tying the record for the most losses in an NFL season, beating the Baltimore Ravens 22-16 to put the Dolphins in the win column.
The stunning game-ending play sent Ravens to an eighth straight defeat, but broke a Dolphins losing streak which stretched back to 2006.
Last week Commentator Jim DeFede went to Saint Martha's Church and caught up with a few parishioners to see if they could help the Dolphins.
Any chance I could ask you to pray for the Miami Dolphins so they might win a game?
During the Mass, Father Jimenez agreed to work in a few kind words for the Dolphins, even though it was clear he doesn't really follow the team.
"We are praying for them," Father Jimenez said in mass.
A parishioner replies, "We have to pray for them."
"How are they doing?" asks Father Jimenez.
I told him, "O and 13. They've lost every game this year."
But will prayer alone be enough?
I sought out Father Jose Alvarez, who teaches at the Catholic Seminary here in Miami.
"You need a lot more than prayer at this point," said Father Alvarez. "Talent, good decision making, you need a lot--you need a lot."
I asked, "So you are saying faith alone can't save the Dolphins?"
"Faith is always a great beginning, but you have to couple it with reality," he said.
"Faith and a quarterback that," I said.
"Oh my God, I don't think you have enough airtime to go through all of the needs the team may have," said Father Alvarez.
Father Alvarez is no stranger to the Dolphins. On a half a dozen occasions he has delivered the invocation before the game at Dolphin Stadium. Last year, every time he gave the opening prayer, the team won.
"I'm undefeated," said Alvarez. "I have a better winning percentage than the last four or five head coaches we've had."
So why haven't the Dolphin's had him back this season?
"I have no idea. It's a mystery. Maybe they are afraid of success," he said.
Maybe God's testing our faith. Maybe it's just a test of faith.
"Oh, I don't know if God has anything to do with it or not," said Alvarez. "I think that's just the reality of sports. You can't win them all, but it would be nice to win one."
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