This is an opinion piece.

Hewitt-Trussville baseball player Grayson Pope needs us right now.

All of us.

Pope, a rising junior and Tennessee baseball commit, was seriously injured when a tree fell on his golf cart during a thunderstorm Tuesday afternoon.

His coach, Jeff Mauldin, said Pope was set to undergo a key procedure again this afternoon. He has been under observation for possible brain swelling at UAB.

“We need all the prayer warriors,” Mauldin said. “I’ve been telling people that every time it pops into your head, say a prayer. We can’t pray enough at this point.”

Hundreds of friends gathered Wednesday night in Trussville to pray for Pope. The family and Mauldin both have received countless texts, emails and social media messages in support of the young star.

“His dad and I shared some text messages this morning,” Mauldin said. “We’ve been contacted from all over the state, outside the state, even some colleges, even some football programs. It has kind of taken on a life of itself with how everyone involved in athletics in general has reached out.

“In some degree, we are all connected. It’s been overwhelming. We have people praying from Mississippi and Tennessee and obviously all over our state and in our Birmingham metro area. It’s hard to put into words.”

Pope, Hewitt-Trussville’s left-fielder, hit .340 this season with 24 RBIs.

“He’s a high-level athlete,” Mauldin said. “He’s an impact player. He plays like he lives his life. He is full of energy in the way he lives his life and the way he plays the game. Those things are parallel.”

Mauldin called Pope a “phenomenal kid.”

“He’s always smiling, always having a good day,” he said. “People are drawn to him because of his personality. His locker is the first one in the lockerroom. He is the first guy I see, and he always has a big grin on his face and is ready to start the day. He is full of life. He has a tremendous perspective on everything. That’s a credit to his parents obviously.”

If you believe in prayer – and I hope you do – would you pray for Grayson right now? Pray for the doctors and nurses, for his family and friends and for the Hewitt baseball community.

God is in the miracle business.

I’ve seen it in my own life time and time again.

I’m praying for miracle healing right now for Grayson. Will you join me?

Deshler athlete to be honored

Speaking of miracles, Deshler’s Alex Haddock-Thomas will be honored Sunday night at the annual Alabama Sports Writers Association convention as this year’s winner of the Jimmy Smothers Courage Award.

The award, named for longtime Gadsden Times sports editor and my friend Jimmy Smothers, annually honors a high school student-athlete who has persevered despite certain obstacles.

Haddock-Thomas endured heart surgery when he was a newborn and a broken back last November in an ATV accident. The junior didn’t miss a baseball game this spring.

“Every single day of my life, I think about it. Every single day,” he told the Florence TimesDaily this spring. “I just feel kinda like a blessing that I am here, and I do the things that I do.”

Other Smothers winners include Pike Road’s Jada Roberts, Belgreen’s Emma Dempsey, Haleyville’s Scott McAlpine, Pleasant Valley’s Anna Bryant, Mobile Christian’s Ethan Hearn and Brantley’s Alex Wilcox.

The ASWA will also name its Mr. Baseball and Miss Softball winners at the 51st convention to be held this year at Jacksonville State.

Thought for the Week

“Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10.

Ben Thomas is the high school sportswriter at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected]. He can be heard weekly on “Inside High School Sports” on SportsTalk 99.5 FM in Mobile or on the free IHeart Radio App at 2 p.m. Wednesdays.