Super Bowl Sunday is almost here, and 27 percent of Americans believe God will play a role in the big game, according to a study released Tuesday by the Public Religion Research Institute.

"In an era where professional sports are driven by dollars and statistics, significant numbers of Americans see a divine hand at play," said Robert P. Jones, CEO of PRRI, in a statement. "Roughly 3-in-10 Americans believe that God plays a role in determining which team wins, and a majority (53 percent) believe that God rewards faithful athletes."

The survey was conducted by interviewing a random sampling of 1,033 adults in the U.S. during the weekend of the NFL's conference championship games. more >>

The father of the man who allegedly duped Manti Te'o into having an online and telephone relationship with a fictitious woman thanked his church on Sunday for its support.

"I want to thank you for your prayers, church family," Pastor Titus Tuiasosopo told the congregation of Oasis Christian Church of the Antelope Valley, the Los Angeles Times reports. "I love you. Thank you for being here."

The group of about 90 people gathered for service inside Lancaster United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Calif., applauded as Tuiasosopo was introduced during the church's first Sunday service since news of the hoax went public. Several reporters were also in attendance, but Tuiasosopo declined to discuss details with them afterward and offered only a brief comment at the beginning of service before a guest pastor gave the sermon. more >>

Jeremy Lin may no longer be playing under the lights of Madison Square Garden, but his "Linsanity" is still being viewed in a new documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival recently.

Lin, 24-year-old Houston Rockets guard, rose to fame when the Christian athlete became a New York Knicks starter last February after all of the team's guards suffered from injuries. The guard became known as "Linsanity" when he became the first player in NBA history to put up numbers of at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his first four starting games.

The "Linsanity" documentary made its debut at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival Sunday. Evan Jackson Leong directed the project and first approached Lin about the opportunity to do so while he was playing for Harvard University. more >>

Ray Lewis, 37-year-old Baltimore Ravens linebacker, seemed to be rubbing off on his team as he glorified God before and after winning the AFC Championship while solidifying a spot in the Super Bowl.

During the singing of the National Anthem on Sunday, Lewis was shown tearfully mouthing what looked to be the phrase "thank you my father" before his team bested the New England Patriots to win the AFC Championship game 28-13. Lewis, a Christian linebacker who has been vocal about his faith while recently announcing his retirement from the NFL, glorified God while speaking to his team in the Gillette Stadium visitors' locker room following a big win that would lead them to the Super Bowl.

"I just said that God doesn't make mistakes." Lewis said after earning a spot in Super Bowl XLVII. "He's never made one mistake. There was no way that He was going to bring us back here twice to feel that same feeling. We're back, but this time we're on our way to the Super Bowl." more >>

In the battle to combat immorality and instill certain values into professional sports, the Vatican says it wants NFL star Tim Tebow and NBA sensation Jeremy Lin on its team.

The Pontifical Council for Culture, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2012, has announced its plans to host a "We Believe In Sports" international conference as a way to promote the instillation of good values in athletic events around the world, reports Catholic News Service.

Msgr. Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda, head of the council's Culture and Sport section, also hopes to provide examples of people who demonstrate that faith and sports are compatible, CNS reports, which is why the council has invited Christian athletes like Tebow, the New York Jets quarterback, and Lin, the Houston Rockets point guard, to the event. more >>

Katherine Webb insists she is nothing like reality television star Kim Kardashian after being recognized for her good looks while cheering on her University of Alabama boyfriend, A.J. McCarron, to win the recent BCS National Championship.

Webb, 23-year-old Miss Alabama USA 2012, gained popularity when sports announcers complimented her appearance during the college football championship game last week. The beauty queen will appear in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue scheduled to hit newsstands on Feb 11.

While she recognizes that people are noticing her beauty, Webb said many are respecting the fact that she is nothing like Kardashian, whose popularity rose after she appeared in a 2006 sex tape. more >>