DETROIT — As they prepared to march down the tunnel and onto the brightly lit Ford Field, football players from Catholic High School League teams got one last marching order from their coaches:


“Roll down your sleeves; this isn’t a gun show!”

Indeed, while it wasn’t a “gun show,” each player was certainly equipped with the most powerful weapon imaginable as athletes from 17 CHSL teams began the 2016-17 season in the only way Catholics know how: in prayer.

Student-athletes — mostly football players decked out in their jerseys — lined up in 10-yard increments according to school Aug. 19 to pray the rosary as the kickoff event to the CHSL’s 90th anniversary season.

The setting, as CHSL director Vic Michaels noted, wasn’t by accident.

“We’re doing this on a field that Catholic football players hope to be playing on in October. We’re also doing it on a field that every football player in the state hopes to be playing on in November,” Michaels said, referencing the CHSL and state football championship contests held annually at Ford Field.

After a greeting from Lions president and CEO Rod Wood, the players began the rosary in unison, led by Bishop Francis R. Reiss from the 50-yard line, praying the Apostle’s Creed and the Our Father. A different student-athlete or group of student-athletes took turns leading each decade.

After the rosary and a concluding prayer, Bishop Reiss addressed the hundreds of athletes standing on the field.

“Before we dismiss, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the athletes and wish you the best in personal growth during this athletic season,” Bishop Reiss said. “I ask that you try to teach sportsmanship in the very best way that you can. That you respect your teammates, respect your opponents and that you give to world of sports what our Holy Father has asked of all athletes throughout the world: praise and glory to God our Father.”

Scott Cooley, a defensive tackle for Novi Detroit Catholic Central who led the fifth sorrowful mystery —the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus — said he appreciated the opportunity to pray with his fellow athletes.

“I think it really brings all the schools together and shows that it’s a friendly competition,” said Cooley, a senior. “We don’t hate the other teams; we’re all brothers here and it’s an event like this that really brings us all together.”

Thomas Thibodeau, a senior wide receiver, outside linebacker and safety for the fledgling Clarkston Everest Collegiate High School, which is entering its fourth year of competitive play in football, said the rosary rally was something that separates the Catholic League from other conferences.

“I think sportsmanship and coming together as a community brings everyone together,” Thibodeau said. “It’s a great environment; it’s not hostile. It’s about getting closer to Christ as a whole Catholic unit in Michigan.”