Once you step on the mat it is time to wrestle. If you want to pray thats fine but do it before stepping on the mat. I just don't understand why some wrestlers insist on praying on the mat, pray on your own time.

And I don't see why anyone cares because it's not hurting anyone.

Me personally... After I check in, I jog onto the mat, shake the referee's hand, grap the band and go to the edge of the mat. While putting on the band, I usually say a short prayer, not to win, but to keep everyone safe, on and off the mat. I have NEVER prayed to win. Personally I dont think it can help you win, but thats not why you should pray anyway. Not to offend anyone but my "prayer" doesnt even last 10 sec. I take a deep breath and go to the line, usually shake the ref's hand again. But praying is just a short time to relax and get your thoughts together, its not a stalling technique.

Just to weigh in on the "official may/might/could/should hit you for a point..."

The only thing the ref can hit you for is stalling and MAYBE unsportsmanlike, but I don't know of any refs out there that'll hit a kid for either.

I have in the past said, "OK, let's go." But I've never been presented with a 30 second worship service off to the side, so I really don't think this is an issue. Nothing in the rules says that the wrestler has to go directly from the table, to the line, put on their band and not go anywhere or do anything. I gues it comes down to MY favorite line as an official: It's the official's JUDGEMENT as to what would be legal/illegal.

But if you think I'm taking on the Constitution by hitting a kid for a 10 second prayer...

I never did the leg band prayer, but it never offened me. I think the people that are that bothered by it are the people who have nothing better to do. I think if it doesn't offend their oppent or the ref it should be okay. As far as the nurse goes.....you sound like that lady in this article

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~53~2691638,00.html

get a life

Just an interesting subject and lots of opinions. All to be taken with a grain of salt and those we don't agree with let us know. Not sure how the cookie thing figures in but how did you know I like cookies..yummy.

And by the way Dooley started it :rolleyes:

Sometimes in life we get a chance to rethink and change our point of view. Something as simple as a quick prayer on the mat isn't a big deal at all..in fact it is welcome. Great thing about life is we get a chance to change. Many prayers go out to Haysville, the community and those affected by such a great loss.

Why is this even an issue? Let the wrestlers do what they want.

Praying before a match is a fine thing to do. However in many cases it is just a show, something they do to look cool. Several times in football games the same people who would be talking trash and cussing you out before the play would be praying after they scored or made a tackle. several times in wrestling the same kids who are lookin for stuff to steal between matches are praying when they put there leg bands on. Were everyone can see them. It says somewere in Mathew i beleave that when you pray in front of men you have receaved your reward in full. But the prayers that are said in secret are heard by the Father and he rewards them. or something to that effect. thats why i pray in the showers before a match or game.

The cookie thing came from the idea that you can sue or complain about anything these days. I put that in there cause it is the same point that these small things don't hurt anyone so why worry about it.