President Donald Trump was invited to pray with members of the University of Alabama football team on the White House lawn this week during their visit in recognition of their victory in their championship game in Atlanta.
The Crimson Tide squad had celebrated its fifth national title in nine years after beating Georgia on Jan. 8.
Trump was present at the championship game, but left during halftime as Georgia were leading 13-0. Alabama, however, rebounded during the second-half, ultimately beating Georgia 26-23.
The president has described Alabama's achievement as "one of the greatest victories ever."
During the ceremonial visit to the White House, Alabama punter JK Scott decided to ask the president if he could pray for him.
Scott, who is affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, said that the prayer had nothing to do with Trump being the president of the U.S.
"It had everything to do with him being a man, just being a son. It went from praying for the president to a place of truly praying over this man because God wants to touch him and God wants to show him he loves him," Scott told AL.com.
Scott said that he took the opportunity to make the request as Trump went to shake his hand. The athlete noted that he started the prayer by laying his hands on Trump, with one hand on his shoulder and the other on his chest. Other members of the team huddled around the president to join them in the prayer.
"Really the whole point of me laying my hands on him was not to be touchy feely but it was truly to say, God, everything that you've done in me. Everything you've shown about me and my identity and this love you've given me and transformed my life, I'm asking you to do that in him," he recalled, as reported by AL.com.
The Alabama punter said that the president then thanked him and gave him a hug.
Scott noted that there have been several interview requests regarding his prayer with the president, but he insists that it was not about getting publicity.
He said that he would prefer if it had been private, where he would have been able to share more messages about God. He further contended that the prayer was not about politics either, because he does not pay that much attention to political issues.
