Let’s set the scene: Last night, the Chicago Bulls ended the Miami Heat’s consecutive wins streak at 27 games (just 6 games short of the all-time record). As expected, it was a hard fought, physical game. Tempers flared a bit at the end when there several rough fouls as well as a flagrant foul from Lebron James.
After the game was over, there wasn’t your typical pleasantries exchanged between the two teams. Usually, players from the opposing teams will hug, shake hands, and chat briefly but not this time. The Heat quickly moved to the locker room. All of this prompted Jeff Van Gundy, the color commentator for ESPN during the game, to say this:
“That’s how it should be. Teams should compete so hard every night that it shouldn’t be warm and friendly after the game.”
I understand what Van Gundy is saying but I totally disagree. As fans, there is a part of us that loves drama. We love and adore “our” team and want to hate and detest the other. It supports the narrative that my team are the “good guys” and the other team are the “bad guys.” When this sort of bitterness is shown, it helps all fans (whether your a Heat fan or a Bulls fan) affirm their narrative.
But, that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. So, where does this “good” vs. “bad” idea come from?
This whole proposition of “us” vs. “them” is really an extension of the naturalist worldview. In other words, sports–just like every other area of my life–is a place to assert my dominance. It’s a representation of the “survival of the fittest.” When you think like this, your opponent (and even at times, your coach and teammates) becomes the enemy. He becomes someone to overcome and dominate in order to survive.
This begs the question, what would the Christian framework be for looking at teammates and opponents? To answer this question, you have to go back to the beginning, back to the Garden. What if we saw sports as just another place in this world to unearth treasure? Not only in ourselves or our teammates but also in our opponents? And what if saw unearthing treasure in competition for the glory of God as the ultimate goal? There would no lines in the sand. No enemy. No bad guy. Only partners in the dance to glorify God.
And this:
If this was everyone’s posture then I think you would see congratulations and thanksgiving all over the court. There would be handshakes, words of affirmation, clapping, and celebratory cheer all over the field not only for your teammates but equally for your opponent.
The ending of this Heat/Bulls game reveals the brokenness in all of us. If we’re honest, we are quick to discredit our opponent and to villianize them. Redeemed sport though does the opposite: it affirms the opponent and takes joy in the greatness of the competition.
What a great truth to affirm but such a hard one to apply. For all of us.
