DownshoreDrift

Shocker! Honest Soccer Player Admits He Used Hand to Score Goal!

After the Monday Night Football "Fail Mary" between the Packers and Seahawks where Seahawks WR, Golden Tate, was awared a touchdown on a jump ball when it was clear he didn't have it bringing down the whole officiating system of the NFL, people were saying that you can't expect an athlete to be honest or say he didn't have the ball when the officials awarded it to him.  The common expectation is that players will get away with whatever they can unless the officials call it differently.  But, European Soccer gives us a different story:

Very early in Napoli's match against Lazio at the San Paolo, Miroslav Klose scored off a corner kick to put Lazio up 1-0. While the Lazio players began to celebrate, Napoli protested the goal, saying that Klose scored with his hand, which he did. Klose then admitted his offense to the referee, who disallowed the goal, and the Napoli players showed their appreciation for Klose honesty by patting him on the back.

Napoli went on the beat Lazio 3-0, but it was the 34-year-old German legend who earned the lion's share of respect on the day. And making the incident even more enjoyable is the fact that he admitted to his handball goal in the stadium that used to be the home of Maradona, the unrepentant perpetrator of the Hand of God goal.

The original article found in the link has a video of the event embedded.

This just goes to show that acts of sacrificial honesty and justice are newsworthy. Winning isn't everything. Maintaining your integrity and being able to sleep at night are the more important things. We love sports because they are a dramatic rendering of life, condensed within a short time period, and played out in an arena for us to cheer and fret over. Sports is not real - but it feels real in the moment. And, the games have power to tell us a story about ourselves.

Miroslav Klose told a story through his actions that transcended his game. His honesty was bigger than the goal he scored or whether or not his team won the game, which they did. But, this will not be forgotten by the opposing players on that field, by his team, by the fans, or by Miroslav. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. I have never heard of Miroslav Klose before this morning, but in a week where I see Pete Carroll, the Seahawks coach declaring that Golden Tate made the catch when the whole country knows he didn't, it is nice to see someone with some honesty.

Thank you, Miroslav Klose.

When Football Becomes Idolatry: Dead Trees at Auburn's Toomer's Corner

Wow.  Again, wow. It just got real in the state of Alabama. Harvey Updike, 62, from Dadeville, AL was arrested early this morning for poisoning the famous oak trees at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, AL.  These trees are very important to fans of Auburn University and they are traditionally rolled with toilet paper after big Auburn victories, especially in football. They are also a traditional gathering point for thousands upon thousands of Auburn fans and are greatly associated with Auburn tradition. Updike is a fan of the University of Alabama, Auburn's rival, and poisoned the 130 year old oak trees in anger after Auburn defeated Alabama in football in late November.  The state of Alabama has gone crazy over this affront.

Okay. I just summarized what is happening here in this state today and it makes no sense whatsoever. How foolish was Updike (to the right)?  Why would anyone do anything like this?  I'm no Auburn fan, but I understand that they have their own traditions that are important to them, just like every community/culture of people.  What kind of peson would take that tradition away because he was angry over the loss of a FOOTBALL game?  Really? It's a game.  Apparently, Updike has so completely attached his identity to how Alabama does in football, that he became unhinged. That is really sad.

To the credit of Alabama fans everywhere, I have heard an almost universal denunciation of this act. EVERYONE that I have heard from sees poisioning the trees at Toomer's Corner as being an act that takes the rivalry too far. That is a VERY good sign. I'm glad that reasonable people are speaking up.  There is now a lot of fear that some fans of Auburn will retaliate with a destructive act against a University of Alabama landmark.  Some are even professing concern that at some point, a human life could be taken over this.  I heard that concern expressed on the radio today on 740AM in Montgomery.

I love college football. Pro football, too.  I am a big LSU fan as well as a fan of Miss. St., my alma mater. I totally get the passion behind SEC football and that it is fun for a lot of people. Fanaticism is not relegated to Auburn/Alabama fans nor do most Auburn/Alabama fans or SEC fans that I know take their fanhood to anything resembling the level of Updike.  But, even though being a football fan can be fun, it can also be dangerous. While 99.9% of all fans would never think of doing anything close to what Updike did, there is still a danger that Updike's over-the-top actions can illuminate in all of us.

We can make sports too big of a deal.

I think that for the Christian, especially, we need to consider how much time, energy, passion, attention, joy, sorrow, grief, and excitement we give to our sports teams.  How much of our identity gets wrapped up in whether or not OUR team won the game?  It can quickly become an idol in our lives. I know people who have had relationships broken with other people because they are fans of rival teams. I know people who can't take their team losing and it puts them into a funk. But, the point is, in the vast (or even small) scheme of things, none of this really matters. Not really. It is fun and it is a great cultural touchpoint and activity where people can connect. I am one who believes that games are important. As a New Orleans Saints fan, I completely understand how important the Saints winning the Super Bowl was to New Orleans residents and people all over the Gulf Coast. But, if the Saints had not won the Super Bowl, my life would not be that different today.  Football is fun, but it is not an ultimate thing.

Most people get that. Harvey Updike lost touch with reality. But, idols (lesser things that we make ultimate things) cause us to start traveling down that road. It becomes an issue of degree. You might not name your children "Crimson" and "Bear" like Updike did in his devotion to Alabama, but you might care more about if your team wins emotionally than you do about other people or the things that matter to God. Many Christians would not dare miss a football game for their favorite team, but they think nothing of missing things related to the God that they claim to worship. Football idolatry is insidious because it seems innocent (and it can be). It seems like good fun (and it can be).  But, we all need to guard our hearts and make sure that lesser things do not take a preeminent place in our emotions and affections.

Maybe you would never do what Harvey Updike did. I hope not. But, maybe we all need to reel in the amount of money, time, passion, and emotion that we expend towards something that is just a game, after all. Maybe there are more ultimate things that we could give our time and attention to. I'm not saying to not watch football or root for your favorite team. I think that cultural festivities like this are important and that God created us to play games (it is a universal phenomenon that is not morally wrong). But, when it gets out of place, it becomes a problem.  It just seems like things are getting out of whack when it comes to sports. We should all remember what is most important.

The Saints and the Soul of New Orleans

As a New Orleans native, the Saints have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. The first football game I ever attended was against the Detroit Lions in a preseason game in the Superdome. I was 6 or 7 years old. My Dad and uncle were in the old Tulane Stadium in 1967 for the first Saints game when John Gilliam ran back the opening kick-off for a touchdown. I remember Archie Manning, the paper bags, the Aints, and all of the losing. I remember Bobby Hebert, Dalton Hilliard, Eric Martin, and the Dome Patrol. As a kid, I remember having my heart broken over and over again. I remember saying that I was done with them, and then they would always draw me back in, sometimes against my will. I remember my Papaw yelling at the TV and Sunday afternoons in the fall filled with misery as yet another season went down in flames. My Dad and I could always talk about the Saints no matter what else was going on. From time to time, the Saints would make the playoffs, only to be destroyed by the Vikings or the Eagles or Falcons, erasing all of the hope that had built up over the year. Through it all, the city of New Orleans has been in love with their football team since its inception and now that the Saints are going to the Super Bowl, the Who Dat Nation is in delirium.

I think that New Orleans bonded so closely with the Saints, in part, because they were losers. The losing and the loyalty and the promise of "Wait 'till next year," seems to embody the spirit of the New Orleans in some strange way. After Katrina, when there was so much devastation and death and the Superdome was turned into a refuge of last resort, a lot of people lost hope that the city would ever return. But, the Saints did return. A little over a year later when the Saints played their first home game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night and that punt was blocked for a touchdown two minutes into the game, the rebuilt Superdome, the city, and everyone associated with New Orleans erupted in emotion. I watched on TV and I cried. I knew what it meant. The announcers were quiet for 37 seconds while the fans in Superdome screamed away the pain, the loss, the anger, and the frustration that had gripped their lives over the past year. The cheers of the people of New Orleans carried that team all the way to the NFC Championship Game. 3 years later, the Saints are in the Super Bowl.

It has been said that the Saints are a comfort for a city and a people that have lost so much. No, that is not true. They are a sign of how far the city and the people have come. New Orleans is rebuilding house by house, block by block, business by business. The New Orleans Saints reflect that and the people of South Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast have seen their team as reflective not of what was lost, but of what has been gained. Next year has come, and with it the promise of something better for a people who havve suffered so much.

I know that it is just a game. It is just football, not anything eternal, and whether the Saints beat the Colts on Sunday in Miami or not, people will get up the next day and go to work and keep rebuilding and keep looking forward to better days. They will celebrate a great season and how it pulled a city and a region together and they will look forward to next year. I know, it's just a game. But, if a game and a team can embody what it means to be from and miss a place, then this team has done it. When you think about human culture and what it means to be alive and have relationships and shared experiences and memories, then what is happening with the Saints right now, in a sense, does make it more than just a game.

I wish my Papaw could see this.

The Saints and the Soul of New Orleans

As a New Orleans native, the Saints have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. The first football game I ever attended was against the Detroit Lions in a preseason game in the Superdome. I was 6 or 7 years old. My Dad and uncle were in the old Tulane Stadium in 1967 for the first Saints game when John Gilliam ran back the opening kick-off for a touchdown. I remember Archie Manning, the paper bags, the Aints, and all of the losing. I remember Bobby Hebert, Dalton Hilliard, Eric Martin, and the Dome Patrol. As a kid, I remember having my heart broken over and over again. I remember saying that I was done with them, and then they would always draw me back in, sometimes against my will. I remember my Papaw yelling at the TV and Sunday afternoons in the fall filled with misery as yet another season went down in flames. My Dad and I could always talk about the Saints no matter what else was going on. From time to time, the Saints would make the playoffs, only to be destroyed by the Vikings or the Eagles or Falcons, erasing all of the hope that had built up over the year. Through it all, the city of New Orleans has been in love with their football team since its inception and now that the Saints are going to the Super Bowl, the Who Dat Nation is in delirium.

I think that New Orleans bonded so closely with the Saints, in part, because they were losers. The losing and the loyalty and the promise of "Wait 'till next year," seems to embody the spirit of the New Orleans in some strange way. After Katrina, when there was so much devastation and death and the Superdome was turned into a refuge of last resort, a lot of people lost hope that the city would ever return. But, the Saints did return. A little over a year later when the Saints played their first home game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night and that punt was blocked for a touchdown two minutes into the game, the rebuilt Superdome, the city, and everyone associated with New Orleans erupted in emotion. I watched on TV and I cried. I knew what it meant. The announcers were quiet for 37 seconds while the fans in the Superdome screamed away the pain, the loss, the anger, and the frustration that had gripped their lives over the past year. The cheers of the people of New Orleans carried that team all the way to the NFC Championship Game. 3 years later, the Saints are in the Super Bowl.

It has been said that the Saints are a comfort for a city and a people that have lost so much. No, that is not true. They are a sign of how far the city and the people have come. New Orleans is rebuilding house by house, block by block, business by business. The New Orleans Saints reflect that and the people of South Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast have seen their team as reflective not of what was lost, but of what has been gained. Next year has come, and with it the promise of something better for a people who have suffered so much.

I know that it is just a game. It is just football, not anything eternal, and whether the Saints beat the Colts on Sunday in Miami or not, people will get up the next day and go to work and keep rebuilding and keep looking forward to better days. They will celebrate a great season and how it pulled a city and a region together and they will look forward to next year. I know, it's just a game. But, if a game and a team can embody what it means to be from and miss a place, then this team has done it. When you think about human culture and what it means to be alive and have relationships and shared experiences and memories, then what is happening with the Saints right now, in a sense, does make it more than just a game.

I wish my Papaw could see this.

Gateway's 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Is a Huge Success!

About 9 months ago, we had a big breakthrough in our church when we began to reach teenagers in our community for the first time.  Our youth group went on a mission trip to Houston and came back wanting to reach out to their neighbors. We started a Kid's Club on Sunday afternoons thinking that we would begin to minister to little kids, but instead, teenagers showed up. Hordes of teenage boys. They wanted to hang out and they wanted to play basketball. Previously, we had put up a couple of basketball goals in our church parking lot. The interesting thing is, in the whole eastern half of Montgomery, there are no public courts to play basketball. So, kids started showing up from all over the city. They started coming every day. On an average night, we'd have 40-50 guys hanging out and playing basketball. We had guys coming to church and several got saved. Their lives began to turn around as they encountered the love of Christ and a body of believers who loved them and accepted them. It has been amazing to watch.

A few weeks ago, a LIFE Group in our church had the idea of scheduling a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to give the guys something to do and to develop a platform to minister to them. It was a huge success. We had around 40 people participate and several responded positively to the gospel being presented. A bunch of people from the church volunteered to put the event together and we plan to do it again in the future. Actually, we are starting a summer basketball league on Monday nights in the church parking lot from all of this. The cool thing is that we are building relationships with these guys and they are becoming our family. God is working. (pic taken by my friend, Chris McCorkle)

Our local newspaper, the Montgomery Advertiser wrote an article about the event that appeared in the paper today.   A short video is included. It was very positive and really showed the heart of our church in reaching out to our community. Something amazing is happening at our church where we are reaching a tipping point. No longer are we trying to cast a vision for reaching out and loving others outside of our church family. It is just happening. God is moving in our hearts and it leading us to open our arms to all that we come in contact with. This basketball tournament was a great example of how a simple thing like a few basketball goals can change a church and a neighborhood.

We finished up the tournament today.  I am really excited about what God is doing and can't wait to see what He has in store for us for the future!

So, This Is What the Sweet Sixteen Feels Like?

Okay, so vanity has taken over. Either that or I'm really competitive. I'll side with the competitive angle. A little competition is good, right?  Some might see this and think that it's a little much, but hey, this is a tiny blog compared to some of the monster Baptist blogs out there.  I need all the help I can get!

So, here's the deal:  Tony Kummer at SBC Voices set up a competition last week. He tracks all the blogs of Southern Baptists (over 314 to date) and he decided to do a tournament ala the NCAA basketball's March Madness.  He put 68 teams, er, blogs in the tournament and divided it up into four regions for people to vote on who they thought had the most influential blog in SBC life. You can see the initial contest HERE. I was pretty surprised to be selected as one of the 68 blogs to make the big dance.  I was a #12 seed in the South Region. I was even more surprised (shocked, really) to make it to the next round - the Sweet Sixteen. So, basically, this is quite the Cinderella story.

Davidson went down today and I have a very strong feeling that I won't make it to the next round either. Tony changed up the rules a little (can he do that? - um, I guess he can since it's his contest) and says, "For this session I want you to consider the helpfulness of each blog, especially when they write about SBC related issues."  Oh no! I'm doomed! I don't really write about SBC related issues here anymore, at least in the direct sense.  I knew I quit too early!  He is even offering a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com for the winner. Those who love me know that if anything would motivate me . . . well, I better not get into to that.

So, even though I don't write about SBC related issues here at Downshoredrift, I figure that the stuff I write about (ministry, church life, spiritual formation, where God is working in the world around us, missions, my family, book reviews, changing culture, the Kingdom of God, etc.) SHOULD be what we are talking about in the SBC instead of petty politics (except for maybe my family - the SBC doesn't have to talk about my family, except for my kids. They are pretty cool). So, to parrot Barak Obama, a vote for Downshoredrift means a vote for CHANGE!  That's right! Let's change the tone of the SBC!  What better way than to put Downshoredrift in the Final Four!

Too much?  Sorry.  My friend Micah Fries is trying to get people to vote for him so I thought I'd do the same.  Go over to SBCVoices and go down to the South Region and vote for Downshoredrift, if you would be so kind. Remember, a vote for Downshoredrift is a vote for the little guy, the underdog, the common man!  It's a vote for change!  Send Cinderella to the Final Four!      

Yeah, I got carried away.  Oh well! It's all in fun.   :)

LSU Team of the Decade?

I don't have much to say about the game last night, except it is good to be an LSU Tiger fan. Very good. 2 National Titles in 5 years. Wow. I was very worried after we got behind 10-0 (I am naturally pessimistic), but then LSU just systematically took Ohio St. apart by scoring 31 unanswered points. Matt Flynn played great. The defense attacked.  The corners shut down OSU's receivers all night. Speed, strength, and power. It was a win for the SEC as well, as LSU reiterated that it is by far the best conference in college football.

LSU's much criticized coach, Les Miles, completely outcoached Jim Tressel of Ohio St. It wasn't even close. As long as he has been at LSU, he has been in Nick Saban's shadow and people have called him stupid. He has now beaten 7 national championship coaches in his career and is 34-6 in 3 years at LSU. You can't argue with the record.

LSU is the first team to win two BCS titles. They are the only team to win two national championships in this decade. After losing 4 first round picks in the NFL last year, this team just reloaded, got better, and won the whole thing. Wow.

Anyway, I just wanted to give credit to my team for the dismantling of Ohio St. last night. Geaux Tigers!

You are welcome to leave you congratulations for the Tigers and thoughts about the game here!

On Race in America: Jason Whitlock on Sean Taylor's Death By the Black KKK

I read this article this evening by Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star on the death of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor.  The language in some of it is a little rough, but he calls out the black community for continuing to celebrate violence through hip hop culture and for killing it's own men. Whitlock, a black sports columnist, is absolutely right and what he is saying needs to be said. I am thankful for his courage. Here's an excerpt:

But we don't want to deal with ourselves. We take great joy in prescribing medicine to cure the hate in other people's hearts. Meanwhile, our self-hatred, on full display for the world to see, remains untreated, undiagnosed and unrepentant.

Our self-hatred has been set to music and reinforced by a pervasive culture that promotes a crab-in-barrel mentality.

You're damn straight I blame hip hop for playing a role in the genocide of American black men. When your leading causes of death and dysfunction are murder, ignorance and incarceration, there's no reason to give a free pass to a culture that celebrates murder, ignorance and incarceration.

I live in Montgomery, AL, the home of the Civil Rights Movement in America. But, something has gone terribly wrong with the progression of blacks out of slavery and segragation and into mainstream life in America. Many have made the transition, but many more are caught in an underclass of hopelessness, violence, drugs, and teenaged sex. It is being reinforced by music, culture, and entertainment. It is wrong and it is leading to the death of a generation of young people. It is a tragedy.

I am a white man. I am not supposed to say those things because I will be accused of being  a racist. But, I am not. I am not a racist because I do not believe that there is anything inherent black people that is causing this tragedy to occur. I am not a racist because I am not using this information as a bullet point on why whites are superior to blacks. I am not a racist because I am broken hearted about what I see happening in front of me and because I pray that it changes. I am a Christian and I know that a proud people that has been through so much degradation, humiliation, and bondage in this land from the hands of white masters is now destroying itself because of the bondage of sin and wrong belief. This obviously does not include all blacks. Heavens no!  The vast majority are living good lives and are productive citizens. But, there is a generation of young people that are becoming caught up in a belief system that says that it is better to "keep it real" than it is to be righteous. This is not just a black thing. It is my problem as well because the people that are destroying themselves are my fellow man. They are children of God and I am my brother's keeper.

Honestly, I lay a lot of blame for this at the feet of the white evangelical church in the South. That might sound like a strong statement, but our support of and acquiesance to institutionalized racism up until the 1960's and 70's did more to damage the cause of Christ and the souls of man in our country that anything that I can possibly think of. We told a whole generation of blacks and whites that Jesus was not the answer because He didn't make a bit of difference in how we treated others.  It was okay to hate your brother as long as he was a different color than you. This is still having an effect. Can the predominately white church in America partner with black Christians to make a difference in the scourge of violence upon our country? Can we find ways to REALLY come together? Crime has shot up in our own city. Can white and black Christians, who maybe live in different neighborhoods work together to save a generation and turn things around?

If this problem is going to be solved, it will be solved by the church. Not just the black church trying to rescue it's own neighborhoods. But, ALL believers working together to rescue those who are destroying themselves. Because, we are all brothers and we are all responsible for one another. If ONE person is hopeless, in bondage, or deceived, should we not do what we can to reverse the wrongs of the past, come together as brothers in Christ, and address the problems in our communities head on?

I applaud Jason Whitlock for what he has said. I agree with him. But, the problem is not just a black problem. It is ALL of our problem and we are ALL responsible. Because we have the power of the Holy Spirit and there is amazing power in unity, repentance, and reconcilation, we need to come together and see what God can do. As we do this, maybe we can address the issues in predominately white communities as well, which are HUGE, especially in the South. It isn't a racial issue, it's a sin issue. And, I don't know what else to do about that than to minister the truth and grace of Jesus Christ in a real way. That starts by recognizing my own blindness, rolling up my sleeves, and seeing what I can do to make a difference. Problems don't go away by themselves. They have to be confronted. 

Ray "Boom, Boom" Mancini and Regret

All of us have experiences in our life that we wish we could do over. We wish that we could receive a mulligan to replay a decision or an event and come out with a totally different outcome. Things happen to us and we do things that can be quite painful, that can haunt us forever. When I was a kid, my Dad used to be a big fight fan. I remember watching Larry Holmes in the heavyweights and Sugar Ray Leonard. Back then, big fights were actually on television instead of on pay per view like they are now. One of my Dad's favorite fighters was Ray 'Boom, Boom' Mancini. He was a tough kid from Pennsylvania who seemed to be a throwback to fighters from the 50's when my Dad was growing up. I was 7 or 8 years old, but I liked him as well.

Then, I just kind of remember him disappearing. I didn't know why, but in the mind of an 8 year old, you are really only thinking about what is going on right in front of you at the time. My sports heroes were players for the New Orleans Saints or the LSU Tigers. I forgot about 'Boom, Boom.' Until this past weekend. I saw a special on him on ESPN and learned about how he was a man of deep faith from the steel mills of Allentown, Pennsylvania. I learned that his father was a fighter before World War II and that his brother was accidently shot by his girlfriend when Ray was only 18. I learned about how he left Pennsylvania and went to New York City to become a great fighter. And, I found out why he disappeared from my 8 year old memory.  Ray Mancini accidentally killed Duk Koo Kim in the ring on November 13, 1982, and it shattered him and effectively ended his career. He was never the same fighter again.

I ran across a moving article on the subject by Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports called Mancini and Kim Forever Linked.   If you find sports interesting as a metaphor for life, I highly recommend it as a great read. As I read the article, I couldn't help but think about how our past can so radically affect our future, even when we are trying to do the right thing. It seems that Ray Mancini has moved on to live a productive life even though he was never the same fighter, but others involved in the fight were destroyed by it.  Significant tragedies have a way of scarring us to the point that we can become immobilized by fear, by guilt, or by the questions of what could have been. For the Christian, we suffer the same agony. Yet, there is hope in that we know that we are not defined by our past. Even when tragedy occurs, whether it is our fault or not, there is always hope for the future because God remains on the Throne. He is the God of Hope and He can intervene even in the midst of horrible situations - even situations that we feel responsible for.

Ray Mancini is a good man and the regret over what happened is part of what makes him human. No one would ever say that it was his fault. The death of a promising young person is always a tragedy, but a concurrent tragedy takes place in the lives of those around the person who constantly ask themselves "what if" questions. I have seen this pain and these questions in the minds of parents who lost children to drugs or alcohol or just to a freak accident on a dark road. What could have been? In our own lives, we often have to make a conscious decision to give our pain over to Jesus who went to the Cross to bear our pain, our suffering, and also our sin. Holding onto it, while feeling natural, does not change anything. It does not reverse the event. Own it, grieve over what took place, feel the remorse, and then lay it down before the Lord who takes our pain. These things will not be forgotten and will often color the rest of our lives, but they do not have to cripple us. God is still there.  

Football Returns!!!

I finally get to watch sports again! College football returns with LSU taking on Mississippi St. tonight. I am a lifelong LSU fan that is also a graduate of Miss. St., so this game is always interesting for me. I always pull for LSU, because you just can't go against the team of your childhood. I cheer for State every other game, even though there is not much to get excited about usually.

Score prediction: LSU 38  Miss. St. 13

Anyway, LSU is ranked #2 in the country and have been picked by many to play for the National Championship. On the pro side, the New Orleans Saints are being picked by many to go to the Super Bowl. Wow. I never thought I'd see the day when both LSU and the Saints were on top. I hope it continues.

So, pull up a chair, grab the remote, say goodbye to your families, and enjoy the next four months of finally having something to watch on the weekends! Football is finally here!

Geaux Tigers!

Waste - Michael Vick

With Michael Vick's admission of guilt regarding involvement in a dog fighting ring today, I've been thinking a lot about the role of character in attaining success. No one would dispute that Mike Vick is a supremely talented quarterback, although he has had some trouble passing the ball. But, internally, his life was obviously a wreck. Jeff Gordon, for Fox Sports wrote an interesting article where he talks about how much money Vick has lost from his failures (around $100 million), and he also lists other atheletes who have made similar mistakes. Very talented, but no internal moral compass.

Starting in September, I'll be doing character training and leadership development with a facility here in town that helps train young people with job skills. It is a residential facility and it receives around 700 kids, ages 16-24, per year. They are asking me to to an intro course and then a 4 week exit course dealing with what these students will need, apart from their expertise in their field, to excel in life. Many of them come from difficult backgrounds and have not been given guidance the way that they should. Hopefully, in some small way, I'll be able to help. But, as I was thinking about the curriculum today, my thoughts turned to Mike Vick.

During his admission speech today, he claimed to have found Christ. I hope so. What he did was truly horrible. He tortured and killed dogs in a dog fighting ring. Of course he can be forgiven and can turn his life around, but he has already lost so much. So many of us engage in behavior that we think is no big deal, but we really do pay a price. We pay a price in that we do not become all that God intended us to be. We merely exist instead of step into the good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10). Even if we are not doing something REALLY bad or against the law, many people still live selfishly and arrogantly, as though there is no cost to sinful behavior. We are waiting for some type of price to be paid through external consequences, it seems. Sometimes, that happens. It is very painful when it does, But, whether or not external consequences are levied, it does not change the fact that we always pay consequences within ourselves by not walking with God or being what He planned for us. Sometimes the largest consequence is found when we look ourselves in the mirror and realize that we could have been and done so much more - that others were depending upon us and we let them down.

Character does matter. But, a selfish life is also a wasted life.  It seems that Michael Vick is learning that lesson the hard way. I pray that the rest of us, myself included take heed.

Saints Play in NFC Championship Game This Weekend

My sister sent me a great article from the Orlando Sentinel about the New Orleans Saints march to the NFC Championship Game and what it means to the city. I thought it was interesting and I resonated with it greatly.  If it is possible for sports to mean more to people than just the simplicity of the game on the field, this is it. I know that it is all just projection of hopes and dreams onto something that is really quite meaningless and silly, but it is no more meaningless than anything in the human experience. We appreciate art, music, film, literature, and travel. All of those things are gifts that have the ability to lift the human spirit and speak to us of things Beyond that are more pure and beautiful than we can imagine. Sports has that capacity as well, when done correctly. It usually misses the mark, but it might get fairly close this weekend. This "game" has the potential to lift the spirits of a city and region and remind them that anything is possible. That is something that is pretty cool in my opinion, and worth reflection.

And, beyond the metaphysical stuff I was just saying, Go Saints!!! 

The Saints Are Coming!

I know I've been talking about football a lot lately, but it's that time of year when everything is coming to a head and my teams have done well. The New Orleans Saints play in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs Saturday night at 7pm against the Philadelphia Eagles. I'll be watching and, hopefully, cheering loud.

Being from New Orleans, the Saints are bigger than just a sports team. They are a metaphor for the city. "Wait till next year," has always been the mantra for a team that loses far more than it wins and for a city that care forgot. The Saints are embedded into the fabric of New Orleans in a way that outsiders cannot imagine and, whether they are winning or losing (mostly losing with only one playoff victory in their entire history), they are a constant topic of conversation.

Often, the more spiritual among us look down at sports as being a topic not worthy of our conversation. I agree that sports can become an idol as I alluded to in a comment on a previous post, and you have to keep it in perspective. Being a Saints fan helps you do that. You are so used to losing, it doesn't upset you that much. But, I know that during my difficult teen years my Dad and I talked about the Saints and LSU when we didn't talk about anything else. We still call each other during every game and talk through it on the phone. It's a point of contact that often leads to other, more significant topics.

For all New Orleanians, and people from the Gulf South, the Saints are HUGE! I've followed the Saints since I was 6 years old and remember watching games with my Dad and Papaw after church on Sundays. I remember going to games in the Superdome in the late 80's and early 90's when I was in high school. The place gets so loud, you would think a jet engine was sounding off right next to you. People cheer every first down and defensive stop. They sell out every game. They never quit believing that things are going to turn around and the team is going to start winning. That's why, a playoff run in the year after Katrina devastated the region is so remarkable and timely.

To turn this topic in a spiritual direction, I know that when I am in New Orleans, I can quickly build relationships with people who don't know Christ by talking about the Saints. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone wants to talk about it. And, in contrast to the polarization of Alabama, where there is defensiveness if you are not an Alabama or Auburn fan, everyone loves the Saints. That doesn't mean that I'm going to ask someone if they saw the game and then ask if they are going to heaven or hell. It does mean, however, that through conversations over time, sports can be a common denominator that draws us together. Those relationships can lead to other things because you actually become friends with people and see them as more than targets of evangelism. They are peope with hopes, dreams, loyalties, and allegiances. When you share those things with them, there is a common ground that we often don't experience in our religious ivory towers. 

So, tomorrow night, you know where I'll be. Hopefully the Saints will win and advance to the NFC Championship Game. But, if not, New Orleans will accept it and say "wait till next year," like they always do. And, whether they win or lose, the City will continue to chant, "Who Dat Say Dey Gonna Beat Dem Saints?" 

Relaxing Day

Today was my 5 year old son Peyton's first basketball game. He did great! He played really tough defense and was named the Defensive Player of the Game for his team with 5 rebounds and tight defense on his man. It was really fun! After that, I took him and my three year old boy, Kieran, to the park (Shakespeare Festival) for some exploring and picture taking. I'm pretty new at the photography thing (so cut me some slack), but I thought I'd put a few of my favorite ones up. Hope you had a great weekend. It was sunny and in the 70's here!  Really nice day! (Click on the picture for the larger size.)

Geaux Tigers!!!! LSU Blows Out Notre Dame 41-14!

After an agonizing day where I had to hear about LSU's former coach Nick Saban taking the Alabama job (see previous post), I got to thoroughly enjoy the absolute beat down of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl! See the story HERE.  If LSU had gained 4 more yards at the end against Auburn (and if the officials, well, nevermind . . .), LSU might be playing on Monday night against Ohio State. This team had a great offense and defense and they were a pleasure to watch. I now have to suffer through 8 months without college football! Ugh! Fortunately, I still have the New Orleans Saints in the NFL playoffs next week. Who Dat?

Anyway, what an awesome game! JaMarcus Russell was incredible, and though he is probably going pro, I wish him the best and can honestly say he is one of the best QBs LSU has ever had. Did you see the sick 58 yard TD pass to Brandon LaFell in the third quarter? Unbelievable. LSU fans have criticized him a lot over the years, but he was resilient and kept battling back. He's a classy, humble guy. If you remember, he was the guy who housed Fats Domino along with 20 other people in his apartment after Katrina. Good kid. He also said he was going to get with his family and pray about whether he needed to turn pro. I hope for the best for him.

Notre Dame moved up and down the field in the first half to the tune of 261 yards, but the second half was another story entirely. LSU outgained them 333 to 30! With all the talk about how great a coach Charlie Weiss is, it was Les Miles and his staff who made the adjustments. Plus, extreme talent won out in the end. LSU now has back to back 11 win seasons and top 5 finishes! Way to go Tigers! Next year, maybe they'll win the whole thing.

Well, this definitely takes the sour taste out of my mouth concerning Saban. I still think it was lousy of him to leave Miami after only two years and to go to LSU's rival in the SEC West after repeated denials that he was not going to be the Alabama coach.  There has to be a better way to handle that type of situation. But, I've quit expecting anything else, unfortunately.

Alas, tonight, the season ends sweet as Sugar. Geaux Tigers!

Sigh. Saban To Bama: Lessons Learned?

Being a huge LSU fan, I was looking forward to today when LSU plays Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. But, our former coach made an interesting move. He signs on with a major rival, Alabama, after only two seasons with the Miami Dolphins. And, he does it after repeated denials of interest in the job. Here are his words:

Nov. 27 - "No, I haven't. I don't care to be. I don't want to be. I've got a job to do here. My focus is on our players, this team, us getting better, us playing good winning football here. I'm not interested in any other circumstances or situations anyplace else. This is the challenge I wanted. I had a good college job, so why would I have left that if I was going to be interested in another college job?"

Dec. 3 - "I'm not going to continue to respond to rumors and innuendo, which this obviously is. I'm committed to a group of guys here and a football team and a football staff, and we're working hard to get this season right. It really challenges your professionalism and integrity to even talk about it. People throw it to the wall, see what sticks."

Dec. 7 - "They called [agent] Jimmy [Sexton] and said, 'Is Nick interested?' and Jimmy said, 'No.' And Jimmy asked me on several occasions and I said, 'No, I'm interested in staying here. I'm flattered that they may have been interested in me, but it really never progressed because we never let it progress. It's ridiculous. I haven't even talked to anybody and all of a sudden somebody's coming here to interview me."

Dec. 11 - "I in no way wanted to indicate to [Sports Illustrated's Peter King] or anybody else that there was any possibility of [having interest in Alabama]. I have no intentions of going anywhere. Hell, they might not want me here after this season. Did you ever think of that? I've addressed this enough. When does this become a dead story?"

Dec. 21 - "I guess I have to say it: I'm not going to be the Alabama coach. I shouldn't even have to comment on this. I think I've said this over and over again. What they do with their position is their business."

Jan. 1 - "I'm committed to doing my job well here. This is my job. That's what I've done all day, and that's what I'll continue to do."

Jan. 3 - "Where do I sign?"

Update: Pat Forde, at ESPN.com has some very harsh words for Saban in describing The Lying Game:

"Integrity" is out. "Character" is out. "Teacher" is out. "Leader of men" is out.

"Liar" is in.

They're not going to tell the truth to us, but we can tell the truth about them. It's this: They'll say anything to get recruits on campus, and they'll say anything to get media members off their backs when angling for a different job. And the panting attempts by school administrators, fans, other coaches and many media members to portray them as men of superior moral fiber needs to stop.

They're coaches, that's all. That makes them part of a pack of lying liars who only lie when their lips are moving -- and Saban's lips have moved most recently.

As an LSU fan, it will be frustrating to see our former coach on a rival's sideline. But, what do you think about making repeated denials about a job and then taking it? What do you think about signing a contract and then bailing out in the middle of it? What character lessons can we learn here? As a fan, how do you respond to a coach or school that says one thing and does another? Does that prick our conscience any? The easy answer is, "that's how things work - get used to it." I know that, but I wonder, as Christians, how we can speak prophetically to a culture that allows for this and to schools and fans that accept it, as long as they are on the winning end. I know that Alabama fans will see all this through Crimson colored glasses, as I did when he came from Michigan State to LSU. But, at the time, I thought his reasons were good. Now, I see things differently (my own bias at work). If this is how things work (and it is), is it any wonder that trust in our society is at an all time low? For that matter, it goes both ways (just ask Mike Shula), but I thought this was an interesting object lesson, to say the least. What do you think?

Some Good News!!!

We received some good news regarding our 16 month old son, Caelan, who is going through cancer treatment. Soon after his surgery to remove his tumor in April, a pocket of fluid began to develop in the surgery site. The doctors have been watching it very closely, expecting it to go away, but it has not. They have done ultrasounds and CT scans on it, but have not been able to figure out exactly what it is. They finally became concerned enough to do a biopsy. We were pretty nervous, but they assured us that they thought everything would be alright. Well, the results came back from the biopsy, and whatever it is, it is benign. I told Erika that it could be a Big Mac for all I cared, as long as it is benign.

Even though we have worked through a lot of the emotions and we are taking most of this in stride, when I got the call yesterday from the surgeon's office, I froze. A million fears ran through my head all at once. When they told me the good news, I was happy, but it was the kind of happy that you feel after you have ALMOST been in a car wreck. You're relieved, but you are still kind of in shock that you're getting calls from surgeons at Children's Hospital to tell you that the fluid in the place where they removed the tumor from your son is benign. I truly do praise God and am very thankful. But, the emotions that hit you during this whole thing are pretty intense. Thank you all for continuing to pray for us. We still have a long way to go, but God has been so gracious.

On a much more insignificant note (I just wanted to add this in here to speak about something completely frivolous on the heels of a pretty heavy topic), it looks pretty certain that my #5 ranked, 10-2 LSU Tigers are going to the Rose Bowl to play either Michigan or USC! Geaux Tigers!  It will be the first time a team from the SEC has played in the Rose Bowl since Alabama did it in the 1940's. I'm pretty excited. I hope they represent well! 

College Football Picks

Well, this is the week of the game we've all been waiting for. #3 Auburn hosts #6 LSU, in what could be the game of the year in the SEC. The winner of this game has won the SEC West 5 of the last 6 years. Almost everyone is picking Auburn to win, primarily because they're at home, but LSU has not lost on the road since 2004 (7 straight wins), and they've won their last 6 SEC road games. They are the only team in the country that has not given up a touchdown and JaMarcus Russell is the 3rd rated QB in the NCAA. They are notoriously slow starters, but have come out this year on fire, so I actually feel pretty good about this game. I am taking my son who turns 5 next week, and we'll be decked out in our purple and gold! Because I've seen LSU play in person 7 times, and they are 7-0, I don't see how they can lose! My pick:  LSU 31  Auburn 13.  Shocked?  I have a feeling that everyone will be. I'm seeing a repeat of 2003 brewing when LSU just jumped all over Auburn. It's just a gut feeling. We'll see!

My other picks for Saturday:

• Florida 24  Tennessee 13.  The Volunteers came back down to earth last week after sqeaking one out against Air Force. They have a tough defense, but the Gators are looking sharp.
• Arkansas 17 Vanderbilt 14.  Vandy keeps it close but can't finish. Arkansas is breaking in a true freshman QB, but Mustain will get the job done. It could be an upset, though.
• Georgia 21  UAB  10.  The Blazers proved their mettle against Oklahoma, and Georgia's Stafford is also a true freshman. The offense won't click perfectly, but it will be enough.
• Kentucky 24  Ole Miss 17.  Ole Miss is terrible.
• Mississippi State 24  Tulane 10.  The Bulldogs FINALLY score and their defense is just too much for the Green Wave. Sly gets his first win of '06.
• South Carolina 27 Wofford 13.  Spurrier's offense gets healthy over a one dimensional, rushing Wofford team.
• Alabama 31  UL Monroe 3.  Alabama is actually charging $29.95 to watch this dog of a game on pay per view. Some people will pay it. Ugh.
• Michigan 27 Notre Dame 21.  I think this will be a great game, but Notre Dame will be exposed. I'm looking for the slight upset.
• Florida State 20 Clemson 10. Daddy Bowden gets some revenge as the Seminoles rebound from an embarassing performance against Troy last week.
• Oklahoma 27  Oregon 17.  This is for the Burleson Clan. I'm picking Oklahoma because I just think the Pac 10 is incredibly weak this year, except for USC. The Sooners beat them in the Holiday Bowl, and they'll beat them again.
• USC 35 Nebraska 31. This game will be closer than people think. USC wins at home in a shootout.

Well, I'm 11-3 straight up on the season. I don't do point spread and don't really care. Let's see how things shake out on one of the biggest Saturday's of the college football season! Geaux Tigers!

College Football Picks

It's time for my college football picks for this week! I feel like it is the first real week of the seasonl, as there are several big games. I finally get to see LSU on TV against Arizona and I got my tickets today for the LSU-Auburn game next week! Geaux Tigers! I'll pick SEC games and a few other notable contests each week. I went 2-1 last week, since Tennessee really surprised me by pounding Cal. They look tougher than I thought. Here are my picks for this week:

• LSU 27  Arizona 13. Jamarcus Russell played a great game last week with razor sharp passes. I look for the running game to pick it up a notch this week, but they might be a little flat looking ahead to Auburn.
• South Carolina 17   Georgia 13.  This is my upset of the week. I get a feeling that S. Carolina will pull it off this time.
• Ole Miss 20 Missouri 17.  No reason for this pick, really, except I always pull for the SEC. Sorry!
• Auburn 48  Mississippi State 6.  I hate to pick against my alma mater this way, but Auburn just has WAY too much firepower. The Bulldogs are going down in a big way.
• Alabama 21  Vanderbilt 10.  Alabama will put the Juwan Simpson debacle behind them and again, play down to their competition, winning a fairly unmemorable game. Why does Bama always do that?
• Florida 31  UCF 14.  The Gators get a tougher game than they expected as Urban Meyer's offense still has trouble getting untracked.
• Kentucky 44  Texas St. 14.  Umm. Who really cares?
• Arkansas 34  Utah St. 10.  The Razorbacks begin to show what they're made of now that they've got USC off the schedule and out of their heads.
• Tennesseee 24  Air Force 3.  Was Tennessee for real last week? I've never seen as tackling as poor as what Cal attempted last week. The Volunteers might come back to earth a bit this week, though.
• Notre Dame 31  Penn State 21.  The Irish begin to click on offense as the season goes on.
• Ohio State 27  Texas 24.  This might be the game of the year, at least until next week at Auburn! I look for Ohio State to exact revenge for last year and to expose Texas' freshman QB, Colt McCoy.

So, what do you think? I can't wait till tomorrow!

Football Is Finally Here!!!

Tonight, at 7pm, my 8th ranked LSU Tigers take the field against University of Louisiana-Lafayette at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Geaux Tigers! It marks the end of a long, bitter, sweltering summer with nothing to watch and no team to root for (I hate baseball). The real sports season has begun! I'll post each week after this one, my predictions for upcoming SEC games and noted national games as well. Although, I will say that I pick Cal over Tennessee and Florida State over Miami this weekend. My alma mater, Mississippi State got shut out against South Carolina on Thursday night 15-0. Sorry, Jamie! 

But, at the end of the day, my hope is in the Bayou Bengals. LSU is a notorious slow starter and always lets lesser teams stay in the game with them, but I'm picking LSU 42-13.  My overall pick for LSU is to go 10-2 and finish second in the SEC West to Auburn. My hope is that they beat the snot out of Auburn in two weeks (my son and I have tickets for that game) and win the SEC, but they have a tough road ahead of them. Anyway, Geaux Tigers!