This Easter weekend, we’re reminded of something bigger than politics, bigger than government, bigger than anything we deal with day to day. We're reminded of faith, sacrifice and redemption.
I grew up in a simple place, with parents who worked hard every single day. We didn’t have much, but we had what mattered. Structure. Accountability. And a moral foundation reinforced every week in our local community, where you learned right from wrong early and you were expected to live it out. We weren’t afraid to pray in school or at games. In fact, we probably did it every day.
That foundation mattered. It shaped how I coached, how I led young men, and how I approach public service today. Because whether you’re building a football team or leading a state, the truth is the same – you don’t win without a strong foundation.
When I coached, I didn’t just worry about whether a player could run fast or throw a ball. I cared whether they showed up on time, respected their teammates, and handled adversity. That’s what made the difference.
And we didn’t leave that to chance.
I created the official position of team chaplain and it wasn’t about checking a box. It was about making sure those young men had guidance. Someone speaking into their lives about character, purpose, morals, rules, and yes, faith.
At Auburn, that was Chet Williams. Chet's no longer with us, but he made a real difference. He helped shape young men, not just football players. He was there when they struggled, when they made mistakes, when they needed direction. Because of that, we didn’t just build better teams – we built better people.
And I remember people saying back then, “You can’t do that.” They said we couldn’t bring that kind of leadership into a publicly-funded college program.
But we did it anyway – and it worked.
And now we’re hearing the same thing again.
They say you can’t talk about morals and faith in schools. They say you can’t give kids the opportunity to pray. Even though history shows we built our country upon these foundations, they say we can't have them today.
And just like back then – we’re going to prove them wrong.
Because if we know something works – if we’ve seen it change lives – we’ve got a responsibility to fight for it.
Look, today’s kids face challenges far greater than ever before.
We didn’t grow up with a phone in our pocket giving us access to everything – good and bad – 24/7. We didn’t face this level of constant pressure and temptation. There are evil forces out there – real ones – trying to shape how our kids think and what they believe.
And those influences aren’t teaching responsibility. They’re pushing confusion. They’re pushing values, norms and rules that don’t line up with what built this country. And yes, there are people and institutions trying to indoctrinate our kids instead of educating them.
Easter is a reminder that none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes. I've made my share. But falling down isn’t the end – it’s what you do after that matters.
Fixing education isn’t just about test scores. It’s teaching discipline, respect for others, and knowing right from wrong. It's about making young men and women ready for life.
We’ve taken morals out of the classrooms and when you remove that foundation, everything slips. We can’t pretend academics alone are enough. If we don’t give kids a foundation, something else will fill that void.
And right now, it already is.
We should follow the lead of Texas, Louisiana, and other states by returning the 10 Commandments to our classrooms. We should make sure prayer and faith can be open conversations, not forced into the shadows. If our kids want to pray they should have the full backing of our state.
This Easter, we’ve got a choice. We can keep going down this path – or we can get back to basics.
Rebuild the foundation. Stand for our values. Raise strong respectful kids.
Because this isn’t complicated.
If we want better results, then we’ve got to start acting like it.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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