As a person who avoids controversial posts like the plague, I decided to write about three things I know: People who love Jesus, America & football.
I rarely post on Facebook, but the night of the Super Bowl last year (Eagles vs. Pats), I wrote about how I love any team that beats Brady (a diehard Saints fan over here…all in good fun!); and how, most of all, I love any team that gives glory to God. To which someone asked me if I love any team that disrespects the National Anthem.
How do you respond gracefully to that? Politics and sports shouldn’t be mixed!
Here’s the thing: I grew up watching football. I’ve always believed that it was the greatest, most entertaining game to watch. I loved it because it’s athletes from all different classes, religions and races – unifying for one cause. A game where people put aside their drastic differences to unite for the whole.
Along with journalism, I studied sport management in college. I had classes with athletes. Several of them went to my church. They became friends – normal people. Not objects.
So when the Eagles made the playoffs, and one of my favorite Florida Gators (whom I shared a class with every other day for a semester), was going to be in the Super Bowl, I was ecstatic. I’m a Giants fan (as well as Saints), so I never thought I’d see the day where I’d be pulling for the Eagles aside from the Gators on the team. But then I started reading about the team and their testimonies. So many of the men on that team are outspoken about Christ.
From Carson Wentz being outspoken about his Audience of One, to Trey Burton’s testimony, to Marcus Johnson getting baptized in a Carolina hotel with his teammates surrounding him, to Zack Ertz recommitting his life to Jesus in the offseason. Even Nick Foles was considering retirement. He took seminary in the offseason and still desires to be a pastor for high school kids. How can one object to them? How can one boycott a head coach, who, after leading the biggest game of his life, gave glory to Jesus?
First and foremost, I am a Christian. I love Jesus with my whole heart. Second of all, I am proud to be an American. I’m so grateful for all who have served and are serving this country. I believe in standing for the flag. The true heroes are those willing to take on the battlefield, not the football field. So this whole kneeling for the flag and politics in football left a bitter taste in my mouth like it did for a lot of people. But am I supposed to boycott watching a sport I love and have watched my whole life because some people take a knee? Am I supposed to not watch really great, talented athletes who love this country and those who serve, and are outspoken about their faith because a few guys on their team take a knee? Should the few ruin it for the many? Should the many ruin it for the few and not attempt to understand why they’re doing what they do?
Does it mean that I don’t love my country and I disrespect the flag because I watch football? Absolutely not.
I have a degree in journalism and I understand ratings. I know what boycotting programs can do. But I’m not going to let the few ruin it for me, and, my goodness, I’m certainly going to cheer for those who cheer for Christ! Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. But if we all become so politically correct and live the my-way-or-the-highway life, it’s going to be a very miserable, unoriginal life. Stand for what you believe in, but don’t be snide with those who might not completely conform to your viewpoints. They might see things your way, but have a different take on how to handle things.
The Eagles did take a knee as a team at the Super Bowl. It was after the game. They said the Lord’s Prayer.
– Eagles – Lord’s Prayer
– Praising God right after the win.
– Zack Ertz’s testimony
– Nick Foles’ testimony
– Caron Wentz’s testimony
– Trey Burton talking about faith
– Marcus Johnson repping corporate worship
**Originally posted on my Facebook account in 2017, and former Anchored ID blog.
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