As I write these devotionals in the middle of December, there have been a couple of events in the news that have triggered some thoughts and Biblical insights that I’d like to share at the beginning of the week. Both come from the world of sports. For those of you who either detest sports or have zero interest in them, I beg your indulgence with the illustrations and promise that it will make Biblical, spiritual sense in a moment.
You know that I’m a Buckeyes fan but I draw a big line and huge gap between fan and fanatic. It’s the fanatics that have prompted my thoughts for today.
August 30 started this year’s college football season with Ohio State taking on Texas A&M. The final score gave Ohio State the win, 14-7. OSU QB Julian Sayin was pitted against the Texas QB, Arch Manning. Manning is the son of Cooper Manning. “Cooper stopped playing football in high school after he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. He was highly ranked and had committed to Ole Miss, but immediately ended his playing career.”1 Arch’s uncles are well known. Peyton was a legend as the QB for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before his retirement on March 7, 2016. Peton’s brother, Eli, was QB for the New York Giants before announcing his retirement on January 22, 2020. Both brothers have received many awards and recognition. Therefore, a LOT was/is expected of Arch.
During the OSU/Texas A&M game, Sayin threw 126 yards, completed 13/20 (65%) passes, had 1 touchdown, and no interceptions. Manning threw 17/30 (57%) completed passes,
had 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Not a major difference and everyone forgets that there is a total of 11 players per team on the field each play – not just one. Yet, following the game, social media exploded with some horrific comments against Manning. He was accused of being a serious letdown for the Manning football dynasty. Calls for his immediate benching were quite loud and demanding.
Run the clock ahead to the Ohio State/Indiana Hoosier Big Ten Championship game. The entire Buckeye team seemed off, playing a lackluster game and making mistakes we hadn’t seen all season. In the fourth quarter, the Buckeyes are down 13-10. With less than three minutes to go in the game, Ohio State has a great opportunity to tie the game with a 27-yard field goal. Easy, right? Well, not for Jayden Fielding who kicked the ball wide left, allowing the Hoosiers to regain possession and ending Ohio States opportunity at a Big Ten championship.
The Buckeye Nation lost its mind! Online posts were so abusive and vile that the Ohio State police have been monitoring the comments and concern is being expressed for the physical and mental health of Fielding as well as his family.
“The posts are considered to be “angry messages and comments that escalated into serious, abusive language.” Tyvis Powell, a former Ohio State defensive back, spoke out in support of the kicker in the early hours of Friday, Dec. 12.
“That is no reason to go out there and wish harm on somebody like that,” he said. “We got to be a lot better with that. You just never know how that impacts a kid…”
“I received some hate mail as well, but never any death threats,” Powell said. “This fanbase takes it a step too far. You think about Ryan Day last year… now fast forward to this year with Jayden Fielding going through it.”2
Words are not just words. They can be lethal weapons and we need to remember how dangerous our speech can be. James 3:5-8 reminds us that “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (6) 
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (7) For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: (8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
The mouth only speaks what’s in the heart according to Matthew 12:34. Jesus said, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” People who will be so vile and hateful against these young players are revealing what’s in their hearts. Their tongues give them away.
We can never allow our emotions to rule our tongues. Our mouth has to be governed by the Spirit of God who ultimately owns our hearts. May we find agreement today in the Psalmist’s prayer. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14)
1https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/texas/news/arch-manning-family-tree-texas-qb-dad-mom-peyton-eli-manning/ee0b22a52cc6221017ac3eaa
2https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/news/jayden-fielding-receives-online-harassment-after-ohio-state-s-missed-field-goal-01kc9rhshjvk
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