Americans are quick to offer “thoughts and prayers” in a moment of agony and worry, like when an NFL player lies motionless on the field. But what do we mean, what do we expect to happen when we offer thoughts and prayers? Although research by Pew shows that Americans say they pray more often than people in other wealthy nations, 45% of Americans say they pray daily and more than 30% say they never pray. 

At the same time, Gallup says almost one in five Americans don’t believe in God, the lowest percentage Gallup has measured in nearly 80 years of asking the question. Of those who do believe in God, 42% say God hears our prayers and intervenes. This data will challenge us to think through what we believe and what we mean when we offer thoughts and prayers. Without that introspection, “thoughts and prayers” become a punchline.

Medical experts say the NFL’s lightning-fast response to Damar Hamlin’s injury Monday night likely saved his life. Do sports teams at all levels have a lesson to learn about how to respond to an on-field medical emergency in seconds? Minutes? Do your local teams have defibrillators? Are first responders available for all sports or just sports that attract ticket-paying crowds like football? We will dive into data from the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research. 

In the last few days, hundreds of migrants from Haiti and Cuba have landed by boat in the Florida Keys. It’s a “humanitarian crisis” worth keeping a watch on. See video from WPLG.