In my career as a sportswriter, I have been privileged to meet a lot of athletes, coaches and parents.
I have written stories that included men and women of integrity and other I wouldn’t trust with my house keys.
I have read books written by athletes with character and others who served prison terms.
Tim Tebow uses his athletic platform to express his faith and love for Jesus Christ.
The sight of Tebow on one knee praying became a phenomenon in itself being dubbed “Tebowing”.
“At the end of the day, I know that’s not why I’m here,” Tebow said in a baseball spring training interview, “It’s not my biggest purpose, it’s not my biggest calling. It’s not how I want to be known in my life.
“I want my life to be so much more than that. I want to be someone that was known for bringing faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.”
“And that is something that is a life calling for me so it’s so much bigger than sports.”
NBA Superstar Stephen Curry’s new signature shoe displays his favorite verse, I Can Do All Things Through Christ... Philippians 4:13, within the actual shoe design.
I have have seen good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people.
So that brings me to the subject of this column:
When you think of all of the issues the world faces, does God really care who wins or loses games and athletic competitions?
With children starving and being killed around the world, is God concerned with who the next NBA or Super Bowl champion will be?
I watch players from both teams pray before a game but only one team wins.
When St. Edmund faces Sacred Heart of Ville Platte, there are priests on both sidelines supporting the Jays or the Trojans.
Did the losing team’s players not pray as much or as hard as the players on the victorious team?
I have heard prayers to give the umpires good eyesight and wisdom – which I understand. LOL
But if God doesn’t care about who wins or loses games, why do players and teams pray before games?
Why do athletes thank God for winning championships and awards and accolades?
It has nothing to do with the sport and everything to do with the athlete.
I have stood with Monseignor Robert Romero from St. Anthony Catholic Church at many of St. Edmund’s athletic events.
“You want to be best you can be to contribute to the success of the team,” Romero said when I asked him about this topic.
“But that is also in life as everyone has something to give to the common good – this can’t be a selfish thing.
“We all have to sacrifice to the good of the team – for a prize that wilts away,” he said. “But in our faith walk we also have to sacrifice and train ourselves in the virtues so we can gain a prize that is enternal.”
The Bible says in Colossians 3:17, “and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.”
When I interviewed LSU Eunice athletic director Jeff Willis about the life and death of Erath star athlete Ross Granger, faith was the overwelming factor.
During his battle with brain stem astrocytoma, Ross devoted his time to speak with many youth groups and sports teams about the love of God, and the fortitude, commitment and dedication it takes to succeed at anything you do.
His unwavering faith, courage, and strength were an inspiration to all who knew him.
Willis said the Christian walk is an every day activity.
“Any time you are in a leadership position wether you are an athlete, a coach or a CEO of a company, a lot of people are watching evey move you make,” Willis said. “If you profess to be a Christian, then you need to live up to what you are called to be.”
Willis said the stage of athletics is a huge opportunity to share the story of what Christ did Easter week 2,000 years ago and what God is still doing in people’s lives.
When an athlete thanks or praises Jesus, it is not saying that God cares about who won, they are simply thanking Him for the blessing of being able to do what they do.
“When you pray before a game, the athetes are praying for health and to perform at the best of their ability,” the coach said. “You are praying for sportsmanship and whatever happens, God is glorified.”
For Curry to get to the NBA, it took years of hard work, discipline and skill.
But without God blessing him with the specific talents he has been given, none of those other things would matter.
You and I will mostly likely never have our own shoe.
But we have a God-given talent and we should be thankful for the abilities we do have.
“God helped them find a purpose in what they are doing,” Romero said. “They are witnessing to something greater than themselves.”
Does Jesus has anything to do with sports?
No.
But is has everything to do with the person.
Tom Dodge is the Eunice News Sports Editor.