Trash-talk. 
According to Wikipedia, trash-talk is a form of boast or insult commonly heard in competitive situations. There is even “The 20 Best Trash Talkers in Sports History.” Here are some of their well know comments:
“I’ve got a better chance of winning the Kentucky Derby on the back of a donkey than they have of winning the Super Bowl with Kyle Boller.” Shannon Sharpe
“Lennox Lewis, I’m coming for you man. My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable, and I’m just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children!” Mike Tyson
“It is against NFL policy to cover Chad Ochocinco man to man. It has always been a rule but with the events of last year, we must have forgotten who he was. Please note that he is still the most uncoverable receiver in the league. This rule is for the safety of embarrassment to all defensive backs. Thanks! Chad Ochocinco.” Chad Ochocinco in a letter to the NFL
“I’m just looking around to see who’s gonna finish second.” Larry Bird after he walked into the locker room and looked around prior to the 1986 shootout
Football is one of those competitive institutions where trash-talk abounds. The usual kind. However, Andrew Luck is drawing attention for a different kind, as reported in this Wall Street Journal article.
“In all the years I’ve played football I have never heard anything like it,” said Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan. “Nothing even close”…..“You want to say thank you but then you say ‘wait a second–I’m not supposed to like you!’” Kerrigan said.
What is it that Luck is doing that is perplexing other players? He is offering encouragement and congratulations to those who are hitting him.
Luck has become famous for congratulating—sincerely and enthusiastically—any player to hit him hard. Any sack is met with a hearty congratulations, such as ”great job” or “what a hit!” He yells it after hard hits that don’t result in sacks, too. It is, players say, just about the weirdest thing any quarterback does in the NFL… Luck’s “over-the-top positive” demeanor has never included genuine trash-talk. “His idea of trash talk is complimenting people,” he (Zach Ertz) said.
Luck’s example fits perfectly in the “striving with” rather than “striving against” competition I wrote about yesterday. It is a very practical way of giving other players respect for they way they carry out their craft.
In the process, his talk is challenging the norm, as evidenced in the article. His talk is making people rethink the way they look at opposing players. In the process, whether knowingly or not, God is pleased. His plans for competition are being fulfilled.
While you may not ever be as famous as Andrew Luck, nonetheless, you can follow his example. You can view your competition in such a “strive together” fashion which considers your fellow competitors as image-bearers worthy of respect. You can offer similar genuine words of encouragement to your competitors when they do something well. Who knows how far the story of such respect might spread someday?
