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The Ravens were destined by God to play in the Super Bowl, so says Ray Lewis

Why is it that so many athletes feel that they're God's chosen ones? While I would probably label myself as an agnostic and don't necessarily believe in a higher power, this kind of thinking still puzzles me.

Following the Baltimore Ravens' 28-13 win over the New England Patriots in yesterday's AFC Championship Game, vaulting them to the Super Bowl to face the San Francisco 49ers in a couple weeks, Pro-Bowl and future Hall-of-Fame linebacker Ray Lewis thanked God first and foremost, talked about God believing in him, God's plan for he and his team, and I don't remember what else. While I respect Mr. Lewis' religious beliefs generally speaking, I have trouble understanding or agreeing with him that the Ravens are going to the Super Bowl because it was part of God's plan.

Lewis isn't the first such athlete to say such things before, of course. It seems like approximately 2 out of 5 times I hear an athlete speak after attaining success in a game or event of some sort, he or she gives praise to God in a similar manner as the Ravens' linebacker did. 

Let's say for a moment that there actually is a supreme being called God. If he or she does control the "plans" of this world, why would this entity care at all about sports? About one team achieving success over another? About one athlete attaining great success over another? I mean, seriously? Do these athletes really feel that a supposedly benevolent, omniscient, omnipotent being like "God" would care more about games adults play for millions of dollars than poverty, homelessness, disease, hunger, mistreatment of the environment, greed, etc.? Do they believe the following conversation took place in heaven recently?

Jesus: "So, what's first on your agenda starting the week of Sunday, January 21st of 2013?"

God: "Well, first thing's first - I've got a lot of money on the Baltimore Ravens over the New England Patriots, so I have to make sure they win the game. All that other stuff like kids going hungry, people suffering in poverty, and those kinds of things can wait."

It'd be one thing for an athlete to just say, "I'd like to thank God for giving me the strength and opportunity to be here today," if he or she is a big believer in the concept of religion. I'd let that slide. It's just a believer in a religion giving thanks to who they feel is the creator for their life at that moment. However, it's quite another for an athlete to say, "I'd like to thank God for being with me throughout my life and this season especially. It's all part of his plan. Thank you God for staying with me and helping lead our team to the promised land. It's all because of you, so thanks." That just sounds delusional right there. 
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