| Year: | 1981 |
| Team: | Elon Fightin' Christians |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | South Atlantic Conference |
| Short Conf: | SAC |
| Record: | 11–1–1 |
| Conf Record: | 6–1 |
| Head Coach: | Jerry Tolley |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
| Champion: | NAIA Division I national champion SAC champion |
| Bowl: | NAIA Division I Championship Game |
| Bowl Result: | W 3–0 vs. |
The 1981 Elon Fightin' Christians football team was an American football team that represented Elon University of Elon, North Carolina, as a member of the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) during the 1981 NAIA Division I football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Jerry Tolley, the Christians compiled an 11–1–1 record (6–1 against SAC opponents) and won the SAC championship.[1]
The team lost to and tied with .[1] The team advanced to the NAIA Division I playoffs, defeating (38–8) in the quarterfinals, (41–13) in the semifinals, and (3–0) in the national championship game.