Forty-something years ago, I was on a freshman football team at Evansville Central High School coached by a fellow named Reno DeMuth. He stood about 27 ½ inches tall, had a chest like a beer keg, but had a frothy countenance, flowing clearly to every string-bean and fat boy on the squad. And that commanding voice he had, which roared us into action on many occasions:
I don’t know what you knuckleheads are thinkin’ the way you just did that! But on this field I am a creature, in the classroom I am a teacher… but I am always everywhere a preacher! Now take your rear ends outta your helmets and give me the minutes we need to win this game!
Coach DeMuth entirely played all three roles, but most of all, that third job description. Evangelizing to get 50-something hormonal hooligans working together.
MORE RECENTLY, I just don’t get all of the controversy about Tim Tebow. Not talking about the stats he’s been putting up the last several games as the QB of the Denver Broncos. You know what I’m angling about: the questions, the criticisms and the crazed connundra swirling around his post-play gestures and end-of-game interviews where he gives credit where he feels its due. God.
He takes a knee and closes his eyes for a moment. His eyes peer upward on the eve or close of a play. He juts his index fingers upward with a grin after the completion of a good series. He gazes into the eyes of sportswriters in the locker room and gives thanks to his team mates and a spiritual ally.
Earlier during this NFL season, it was a homespun novelty. Seemed to dwindle fast for whatever reasons among so many who comment or write about the game. Especially those who have never suited up for a football gamed and even among the few who know the brutality who have stepped into that gladiator arena.
What makes it so wrong to profess Christianity in a good way? When did it become a degradable thing to believe in something greater than ourselves?
Why has it become so politically incorrect – or perhaps religiously and culturally incorrect – for this young man to display his beliefs as he carries out his duties on the gridiron? Would it be more or less acceptable if Mr. Tebow was a Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Scientologist or any other belief?
I find it more admirable that someone in charge can throw a meaningful 50-yard spiraling bomb without killing innocent people or forcing others into ugly, despairing hamlets. Or sending you to the executioner because your heart and soul takes a different path.
Funny, too, that a league of professionals when some of its players are so easily forgiven for drug-dealing, doping, scams and scandals, and more felonies than all of the combined Law and Disorder prosecutors ever could win in court. And let’s don’t dare delve into the greed between owners and players of contract talks and parse their discussions into sound bites.
I don’t necessarily understand the fervor from where this young QB is coming from but I give him credit. Don’t think for a moment he’s getting divine inspiration or special treatment for his or his team’s play on the field.
He stands by his faith. And I say selah to all of that.
I find it refreshing and so right for someone to unabashedly stand for something with meaning in their life. Mr. Tebow gives something we all should remember. Give thanks.
Beats standing on the sidelines with nothing to say.
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