September 25, 2012
Monday Night Football!
This past week America watched the Seattle Seahawks take on the Green Bay Packers. As a Bears fan, I wish this game would be remembered for the eight sacks on Aaron Rogers in the first two quarters of the
game. Instead however, it will go into the archives as “The Game the Replacement Refs Awarded the W to the Wrong
Team."
I probably don't have to tell you that it
all came down to a final hail mary pass by Seattle's QB. You will remember vividly that with seconds left on the clock, Wilson heaved a last ditch effort pass toward the end
zone. Three Green Bay defenders and two Seattle receivers jumped into the air
and fell into a pile below. Green Bay defender M.D. Jennings leapt highest and
pulled the ball into his chest, while Golden Tate also grabbed the ball in his
outstretched hands and together the group fell to the turf.
One
Referee signaled touchdown and the other simultaneously signaled interception. Chaos ensued in Seattle and, I am guessing, in "Packer homes" across the US as well!
Here
is how the "Times Newsfeed" covered the event:
Though the NFL ultimately stood behind the call Tuesday, the league’s replacement referees took their
fair share of heat on Twitter after the game-ending call, giving a touchdown to
Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate Monday night in Seattle. Tate and Green Bay
safety M.D. Jennings both leapt for the catch, landing in the end zone
grappling for the ball. It would’ve been a tricky play for any ref to call —
instant replays appeared to show that Jennings had possession of the ball — let
alone a group of officials grappling with authority and image problems, as the
NFL’s replacement refs have dealt with. Even still, the ruling was a
head-scratcher. Of the two officials who converged on the ball, one referee
signaled an interception while the other called a touchdown. And despite the
evidence from the videotape, after review the touchdown stood. But that didn’t
stop fans, players and commentators alike from airing their views — some rather
scathingly.
If
you are a NFL fan, I am guessing you will remember this game for years to come.
Let me be clear - I am not here to take one side or the other. After all - I'm a Bears fan! Bad call or not, I am happy that the end result was another loss for our arch
rivals to the North. But here is one observation that I had after the game. One that I have
not heard many people talk about.
I believe the response from the ESPN play by play commentators that night, Mike Tirico and
analyst Jon Gruden, set
a tone of negativity into the living rooms of thousands of viewers. I think that perhaps their reaction and comments may have fanned the flames of some already upset fans during this year's referee lockout.
After the game my FB and Twitter accounts lit up with
opinions. There was celebration (from “mainly” Seahawk and Bear fans) and rants
of disgust from pretty much everyone else. As I went to bed I couldn’t help but
think. What if the commentators focused on the reason why the refs upheld the call after going under the hood? What if
rather than take pot shots at guys, who are simply trying their best to do a
job that they may not be qualified for, Mike and Jon choose to give reasons why it might make sense? What if rather than rail on the refs poor officiating, these
voices of “authority” choose to focus on the rules of the game? After all, they did
briefly mention the little talked about fact that when two opposing players
each come down together with the ball on a catch, possession goes to the
offense. What if, even though they thought it was a bad call, they choose to publicly acknowledge that it was a tough call to make?
What if?
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Student Application:
What can we challenge our students with who are enamored by the
outcome of a football game? How can we engage those boys in our groups who
never seem to listen; but who can rattle off any and all stats for their favorite
player. Consider using this current situation, that has already captured their attention, as
a springboard into spiritual truth. Let it be an intro (maybe even this week!) to a lesson or a talk on the power of our words. Think about walking them
through James 3:3-12. Scripture tells us to weigh our words carefully, knowing
that within them we find the power to build others up or the power to destroy
those around us. Jesus himself reveals that the
true issue is our heart. Have students look up Matthew 12:33-34 and talk about how our words show the world who we truly are. Like a mirror shows our face’s
reflection as you look into it – our words reflect the true condition of our
heart. Remind them that you are not
talking about the muscle in their chest, but that their heart represents our deepest
thoughts, feelings, motivations and emotions. The real you!
Words can be dangerous, but they can also encourage and be a source of light in the darkness. Our words can shine light on the difference a relationship with God through Jesus is making in our lives. Let’s help our kids use them wisely.
What are your words “saying” about you? Are we examples
worth following?
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One final word to all my Green Bay Packer friends. I have to admit - that was a rough one!
To my Chicago Bear friends – When Jesus told us to be
Salt, he didn’t mean rub it in the wounds of others! That being said - guess
the Bears O line isn't the only one in the NFC North that needs some shoring up. J
From one Youth Pastor to another, my final encouragement
is this. Consider teaching like our Rabbi Jesus. Take the situations in
everyday life and use them to help engage students in God’s truth. Let us not simply teach students what to think (or even simply what we
think), but instead let us strive to show them how to dig into God’s truth. Let’s
show them how they can apply the living Word of God in their lives by applying
it to ours first.
Love all and worship One,
Bill White
Pastor to Youth
Evangelical Free Church of Bloomington, IL
