Category — Sports Quotes

At the beginning of this week we had a post about Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos stunning overtime victory in their playoff game against the Steelers. In light of Tim Tebow passing for 316 yards and 31.6 yards per pass (John 3:16), the provocative question was asked, “Does God Take Sides in a Football Game?”. This question stirred a lot of discussion, some people saying yes, others saying no, and others saying that’s a stupid question. But there is a much bigger story here that reveals the heart and soul of America.

As the country is captured by what is known as Tebow-mania, the attention on him is not because of his unabashed faith. The Tebow story is what every red-blooded American loves – it’s the story of the unassuming hero, who against all odds and the criticism of a multitude of naysayers, finds a way to come out on top. Here we have a third-string quarterback, who was given no chance to win, and each time the Broncos won the media and the pundits called it a fluke. Even after winning 6 straight, and going 6-3 in the regular season, it was said that he could not compete in the playoffs. But he did, and his team won.

The heart and soul of America loves the underdog. We love to see someone with little chance, work and fight hard, climb the hill, and win the victory. This is one the the things that makes America great – we as a people like to see the little guy succeed.

And this is a Godly quality as the following Bible verses demonstrate:

“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” – Matthew 19:30 NKJV

“Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.” – Psalm 138:6 NIV

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

“He gives power to the weak,and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV

Another question: is Tim Tebow an UNDERDOG, or an UNDERGOD?

We’re into the thick of the NFL football season and there are many teams still claiming to be good, or claiming to have good players, but in the world of sports it’s all about wins and losses. At the end of the day, it’s about the walk and not the talk.

“You are what your record says you are.” - Bill Parcells, Former NFL Coach and Superbowl Winner

Although the world of professional sports is far from Biblical, we can often glean truths out of game principles and coach wisdom. And we can apply today’s Bill Parcells quote to our walk of faith. Didn’t even the Apostle Paul compare our faith to running a race, or fighting a fight?

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” –  1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV

But the Bible verses most relevant to, “you are what your record says you are”, comes from James.

“Even so faith [the talk], if it hath not works [the walk], is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” – James 2:17-18 KJV

 At the end of the day, if we talk a big game, but do not walk in the ways of God, then we are no more than hypocrites. At the end of the day our record stands for itself, and we are what our record says we are.

I hope you enjoyed the silly NFL “at the end of the day” clip. Thanks to Boomer & Carton for allowing downloads of their interview with New York Giants player Antrel Rolle. Go here to listen to the entire show segment.