Thanks for Seeing the Light, ESPN

And thanks to the Ghosts of Christmas Ads Past, Present and Future for their quick response to Wednesday night’s revelation that ESPN had rejected a Christmas ad from a charitable organization.  The group, based in St. Louis, is raising funds for children who must be in hospitals throughout the Christmas season.  Unfortunately, they had included non-sports terms such as “Jesus’ birthday” and “God’s healing power.”   Heavens to Male-Enhancement!

But, Bill O’Reilly’s audience was informed on Thursday evening that ESPN had reversed its decision and would accept the original ad with the religious terms instead of the altered one submitted in its place.

Regardless of whether it was the aforementioned ghosts making a sudden appearance last night in Bristol, CT or perhaps a realization that its audience is a little more advanced than it assumed, there is relief in Mudville that the right thing was done ultimately.  Sports fans of faith appreciate your willingness to correct a mistake, ESPN, and we hope it was a learning experience for the media world.¹

 

¹ – and a learning experience for a certain marketing consultant.  Early in Thursday’s show before the reversal was announced, Peter Shankman declared emphatically that “ESPN watchers don’t care” about this issue.  Perhaps he’ll learn someday, too.

ESPN, the Ebenezer Scrooge sPorts Network

As reported by Bill O’Reilly tonight on Fox News, ESPN has rejected an ad from a Catholic hospital in St. Louis which is raising money for children who have to stay in the hospital during the holiday season.

The hospital’s error?  They mentioned “celebrating Jesus’ birthday” and referred to “God” in their commercial to request donations.

Unless there’s further review, and an apology to the public from ESPN, I will refrain from watching any of their stations until at least after the Christmas season.¹

Note: referring to the PRE-conversion Scrooge!
¹— the last day of the Christmas season is Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany

Follow-up:  ESPN changed its decision the following day and an article was posted about it

First, “Immaculate Reception”; Now, “Immaculate Deflection” — Time For a Lesson in Church Doctrine!

It has been almost 41 years since Franco Harris’ miracle catch, or non-catch depending on your perspective, in the NFL playoffs.  The sportswriters of that time decided to go beyond the usual trite superlatives and called it “The Immaculate Reception,” as it is still known to this day.  While the incredibility of the play was intended to be described as a miracle on the same level of the virgin birth of Jesus, they got it wrong.  The play’s supposed relative, “The Immaculate Conception” instead refers to Jesus’ mother having been conceived without original sin.  Well, one instance can be forgiven although the misconception (pardon the pun) grates on my sensibilities whenever I hear it.

Now, in this apparently magical season of the Auburn Tigers, we have a famous deflected pass which prevented an upset in a heartbreaking manner.  It should have been intercepted by Georgia, but was tipped to a Tiger who scored the winning touchdown in the waning seconds of a battle between two ranked conference foes.  Thus, we have “The Immaculate Deflection.”

But, wait!  In researching this game on Wikipedia, it was found that a missed field goal caused by a sudden 40 mph gust of wind preserved Ole Miss’ win in the annual Egg Bowl against Mississippi State in 1983.  The apparently “sure” 27-yard attempt was essentially blocked by the gust and fell just short after being “suspended.. inches from the uprights.”  Was this the first “Immaculate Deflection”?

Regardless, as much as I love sports, I’m not in favor of using spiritual imagery when it comes to something this mundane.  But if you must, at least make the right connection!

Did the “Circus” Doom Tebow in New York?

The New York Jets released Tim Tebow today after one season of very little playing time.  Was this just another action by “the capital of quick-fix bonehead decisions”¹ or was it because they were tired of the “circus” surrounding Tebow as ESPN’s Skip Bayless mentioned this morning?

The Jets made their decision despite granting Tebow just 71 snaps during the regular season.  This isn’t the time to rehash the lack of wisdom in the Jets’ early plan to use him at positions other than quarterback.  However, as Skip pointed out, at least twelve NFL teams would have been better off with Tebow as the starting qb.  His winning ways as a Broncos are proof.  A look at their recent 6-10 season during which they managed only 17 points per game strongly suggests that NYJ was one of that group which would have benefitted with him in the starting leadership role.

So why the early Tebow exit?  Back to the previously mentioned “circus.”  Ever since his emergence on the national sports scene, Tim’s outward expressions of his Christian faith have drawn undue attention.  The news media feels obligated to highlight him whenever he makes a quick prayer on the sidelines.² However, their attention is not one of quiet admiration, but rather a disdain for someone who dares to buck the status quo in our post-Christian society.  It has the mistaken notion that the practice of one’s faith is to be confined to church buildings.³  Another likely source of their irritation is that he is known to be living a chaste, single life.⁴   It’s difficult to push moral relativism when another true Christian becomes successful.

It’s disturbing that, in a country known for its glorification of individualistic success, it punishes the individual who doesn’t conform to society’s formula for eternal doom.

 

¹ – Mike Lupica, New York Daily News sports columnist and radio commentator, on ESPN today
² – And despite what many continue to believe, he doesn’t pray for victory over his opponent, but rather to do his best and to accept the outcome willingly.
³ – It is this state-over-church philosophy which spawns the ridiculously restrictive definition of what constitutes a religious organization when attempting to force implementation of the HHS mandate.
⁴ – “Living the Abstinent New York Lifestyle,” Bob Tedeschi, New York Times, 8/22/2012.  While not available for comment, a Tebow photo and a reference to his well-known morality was mentioned.

Oops, Ray (Lewis), In Your Gratitude You Misused a Christian Belief

With the increasing lack of respect for religion and for those having the courage  to discuss beliefs, it has been gratifying to hear an increasing number of prominent individuals thank God for His blessings publicly.

My first recollection of this occurring locally was in the 1970’s.  Cincinnati Reds star outfielder George Foster always gave a genuinely humble interview and made it a point to thank God for his abilities.  He made sure that the focus did not linger on him but on God who provides for us.

I attended St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati during 1969-73.  The first all-school pep rally made a lasting impression on me.  Principal Donald O. Nastold, S.J. (may he rest in peace) made a point which needs to be spread today.  He made it clear that it was inappropriate to ask God for victory in a sporting event.  Why should God favor us over the opponent (most likely it was Moeller or Elder)?  This was not a battle of morality, but a football game.  Instead, we should pray that: our guys played to the best of their abilities, good sportsmanship prevailed and no one from either side is injured.

This lesson came to mind when listening to the post-Super Bowl interviews on the radio last night.  Ray Lewis is to be commended for his efforts to lead a good life and to inspire his teammates to be at their best.  It is also admirable for him to want to thank God for the blessings he has received.

However, in his exuberance, he made a critical error when he said the victory was a sign that “if God is for us, then who can be against us?”  I realize that Ray was a riding an emotional high which few have had the privilege of experiencing.  Nevertheless, yesterday’s Super Bowl was just a football game, not a battle against an Evil Empire.  There was no reason to suspect that God was against the ‘49ers.  Unless the power outage could not be fixed, there was going to be a winner and a loser based on who reacted to the stress and opportunities the best.  Moral justification wasn’t the issue.

Gratitude to God must be a way of life for all of us, but it shouldn’t confuse us into thanking Him for picking sides in a sporting contest.  He inspires and protects us, but the outcome is not important in the big picture.  His concern is our most important victory – eternal life with Him!