NFL Quickly Becoming America's Worst League

None of my friends understand why I don't watch at least two, if not three or four, football games every weekend. Here we go:

Example: Commercials. After three or four minutes of commercials, however long it is, we come back just in time to see the kickoff after the latest score. Great! What action! Next: Breaking away again for another three or four minutes of commercials. What?! Am I supposed to enjoy seeing 30 seconds of action during a 7 or 8 minute period? And college football is starting to do it too! There are way too many commercials during football games. You know what? I don't drink any more. Endless beer commercials do not amuse me. Guys getting hit in the groin do not amuse me. Although I like half-naked women, I really try not to view such things in the course of my marriage. Enough! You can show them, but I'm not going to watch. That's what the DVR is for, I guess. Or the NFL Network.

Example: Convoluted rules that don't make sense. Seriously, I've been playing football on and off, both organized and sandlot, since I was but a wee lad. Everyone, whether playing or watching, no matter their expertise, experience or  intelligence, can tell the difference between a caught football or a not-caught football. We have eyes. We use them. Either the ball is caught or it is not. It should not take a rocket scientist -- nor a former director of NFL officiating -- to explain why a play was or was not a catch. The laughable comment of the day yesterday was, "according to the rule, the officials made the right call." Really? If I'm a referee then I'm resigning that day. Because if I can't officiate a normal, legitimate, reasonable game of football, then why am I out there? Change the freakin' rule. Now. Today.

Example: Challenging the play on the field. Oh my gosh, who's idea was this? "Between time outs and commercials, we're just not slowing the game down quite enough. What else can we do?" "I know, let's allow coaches to challenge the calls, then it will take at least two or three minutes to sort it all out." "Why that's brilliant!" "Thank you, sir." Honestly, this is a terrible idea and a worse precedent. If you really want to use instant replay, then make it for scores only (like the way it's used in rugby or hockey). For everything else, let the human element make the decisions (see example #2). It's the best way, tried and true. Please don't let something like this become a part of baseball. Please...

Example: Excessive celebrations. I think self-indulgent end-zone celebrations are over the top; but it's the constant celebrating after every play that really drives me crazy. You just gained a first down, that's great, but do you have to pop up and proudly signal it yourself? You tackled the guy for a loss, great, but act like you've done this before. It's like every play is the final play of the Super Bowl. Now the college kids are picking up on it and doing the same thing. Soon the high-school kids will, too. I'm all for pats on the rump and high fives, but get over yourself. You're not that great. I can say the same thing for walk-off hits in baseball, but the frequency isn't nearly as bad. Then you have the taunting, and intimidation. That stuff is ugly. And no league has players that get off on drawing attention to themselves -- on and off the field -- more than the NFL. Who wants to see all of this?

Example: Cheap shots. If I had my way, every tackle in football would have to be made between the shoulders and the hips. And you would have to use your arms to make the tackle. No more hitting the head, no more clotheslines, no more blind-side attacks, no more hitting at the knees. This is a rough sport, I get it. It's a dangerous sport, I get it. Big hits make football exciting. True, at least in part, but at the expense of the athlete's health? Big hits can still happen in a more appropriate fashion. Is someone getting hurt supposed to be entertaining? I don't want to lose my quarterback to an injury. I don't want the games biggest stars to miss games or have to retire early.

Example: Technology. The yellow line for the first down marker is not bad, I admit. But a green one for the line of scrimmage? And it's too dark most of the time, and it's distracting. Soon they'll have another line charting the progress of the ball. Enough! And don't get me started about the levitating camera just above the field getting all of those desperately needed shots from just behind the huddle. Aaargh!

Put all of these things together, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to watch an entire NFL game. It's football, and I love football, but it's the game I love, not all of this other stuff. And it's the other stuff that's grabbing more and more of the time and attention. I could tell you how this mirrors life, but that would be worthy of a "delay of game" penalty.

Responding to the Social Agenda

I recently was directed to an article on EthicsDaily.com called, “What to Say When a Glenn Beck Believer Calls.” Here is the link. Now, look, I know Beck is a polarizing figure. And there’s no way to know what side of the debate most of you readers would come down on, so I’m not sure if I’m picking a fight or preaching to the choir. I happen to be a long-time fan of Beck’s. Way before he was on television, years and years ago I came to appreciate his point of view. I just think the guy speaks the truth. I believe he turned his life around and came to God through Jesus Christ. I could be wrong about that. I believe he is sincere. His job is way to difficult to not be. He has been too consistent, over the years, to be a charlatan. Again, one either loves or hates the guy I suppose. But I felt the need to respond to this article, because it was weak and I had seen the same lame argument a hundred times before. This movement toward social justice through government taxation scares the hell out of me, no pun intended.

Anyway, here’s my response to the author, Robert Parham. I have yet to hear back from Mr. Parham. I await his response.

Sir:
I searched for a way to comment on your article. I could find none, so I write this email. I come to you as many things I guess; a Christian, a Conservative that is becoming more Libertarian every day, and as a fan of Glenn Beck. I have been a fan of Beck's for a long time. Before he ever appeared on TV, probably for more than seven or eight years. I believe this man's heart is in the right place. It's just a feeling I've had about him for all these years.

Your article pushed Beck down as a Mormon, therefore not a reliable presenter of the truth. I am a Baptist but I consider Beck to be a legitimate Christian. I know he attends a Mormon church. But I have also heard his testimony. I believe he came to his faith through Christ. Is that not the Way? Every "Christian" is not more in tune with God than every "Mormon." There are great men and women throughout. I don't personally believe in some aspects of Mormonism, that is for sure, but Beck has never demanded -- or even hinted -- that I had to accept anything "Mormon" in order to know God or follow God. But apparently you would imply the reverse to Mr. Beck. You also diminished the relevance of Beck's fans, or "followers", implying we are all black-robed, or whatever. You take the example of one Beck supporter and apply it to every Beck supporter. Not cool at all. Here is where you show your true colors, sir. I pray every day, I attend church as often as I can, I love my God and his Son, Jesus Christ, that gave me a new life, and I read and try my best to understand the Scriptures. And I am a fan of Glenn Beck. But I don't wear black robes. How is that possible? Glenn Beck is popular because, in my opinion, he is genuine, and his fans sense that. I don't feel that from you sir, and you can go on quoting scripture all day, but you've already lost me.

I do not suppose that Beck knows the Bible better than you. I know I do not know the Bible more than you do. But I don't think that's what it's about. I do see that Beck is taking what he believes and trying to apply it to his life and effect a change in this country that is desperately needed. Someone, of courage, has to step out and do something to effect this change. Some of the change has to occur in the church; but some of it has to occur in the culture as well. There is nothing easy about what Beck is doing, either on his radio show, his TV show, or his live appearances. It's easy to sit in an office, quote scripture, and tell everyone what a good Christian you are. It's harder to present a consistent message for years and risk your life and career to apply it. I thought Beck's rally was a great thing with a great message. I admire his courage. I wish I could be that courageous in my life.

Finally, the concept of "social justice." No one, even Beck as I have heard him discuss many times, would argue against people helping the poor. If they do they are truly lost. But that's not what "social justice" means, as it is used today, sir. Much too often, it's a buzzword used toward political means, by agenda-driven people. Basically, if your money and/or focus is on the government providing, it's not about being a Christian, in my opinion. And apparently, if you don't support the right government programs, then you're just evil. If you can't see the difference in real social justice and government social justice, then there's no way you can intelligently comment on what Beck's true convictions are. I have not read your previous articles, but here's what I have observed by reading this one: All you really know how to do is talk bad about other people and quote scripture. I know a lot of people like that. They're a dime a dozen. Many of them have similar forums. I will pray for you, and pray that our nation wakes up and turns to God. Which, by the way, was the message of last weekend's rally. It's a good message.

Been a Long Time

Hello all, after a much-too-long absence. It’s good to be back in front of the keyboard.

I do wish to draw your attention to the badge at left; I am now proudly a member of HighCalling Blogs, and it is my wish to incorporate more Scriptural themes into my writings. I joined HighCalling for at least two reasons: I want more people to read my blog; and hopefully being in this community will afford that. Plus, I want to read more blogs from people that are trying to apply Scripture into their lives and are passionate about spreading their ideas. This website was recommended to me by a current member; and I'm very glad to be a part of it.

I find that far too many writers like to start with a thesis and use the Bible to prove their point. That is easy to do. As a historian, and a writer of numerous theses, I can tell you that all or most research papers are done this same way. The author has an idea, or maybe a hypothesis, and begins exploring ways to prove his point. Ninety-nine percent of the time, this can be done with moderate research. Sometimes it’s more difficult, sometimes less. But this is still the approach. So it is, far too often, for the Christian writer with an opinion.

I plan to do things a little backwards. I will read a passage that I find interesting, then try to discover what it means for me and our culture. I will try to let the Scripture lead me to a conclusion, instead of the other way around. We’ll see how well that works.

I will also continue to spout off, which is my favorite thing to do. By spouting off I mean things not of Scripture, but of opinion, that I wish to state for the record whether I can prove it or not. But as you know, I often am asking for proof from others, rather than making claims that I cannot back up.

To those of you that may be reading my blog for the first time, I would like to direct your attention to the archives section. Although in some ways dated, I am very proud of these earlier essays about Economics and Culture; and I invite all to browse through those at your leisure.

I do not take cheap shots. I do not do drive-bys. I am by nature conservative; yet I find myself becoming more Libertarian every day. I am a registered Independent, and I do not play the political party games. I continue to search for the truth in everything.