What Really Matters?

 80 Football Players Suspended 

to Teach a Whole Community!

“We want student-athletes that are humble to learn and grow through adversity and success on and off the field,We want a team that others want to associate themselves with and support; winning isn't the most important criteria for that to happen.”

The players at Roosevelt  HS got the shock of their lives when they were told to hand in their Jerseys mid-season--they were suspended for poor conduct OFF the field.  Apparently, character matters and to play is a privilege, not a right. And get this--before the action was taken, the coach contacted school administration and parents.  The community stood behind the action---and I would contend--probably learned what it means to act together to uphold community norms which the boys were grossly violating off the field--like cyber bullying, cheating, and insubordination.  It takes a community to turn that around! 

What were they told to do?  It was All positive--not negative punishment.  They were redirected into positive behavior to take charge of their lives to get their Jerseys back.  The letter read: 

They have to make an effort to attend every practice; be on time; receive no F’s or disciplinary problems in class; do an individual service project that helps their families; and memorize a quote about good character — and recite it to a coach.


And what else do we find in the Body of Christ?  We are adopted by grace--we cannot measure up to the Law, but we are taken in and redirected with a love we cannot earn.  New rules are given the game of life.  Play with these new rules because Christian character truly matters.  Only the Body of Christ can do this!

Do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, 

so that you may discern what is the will of God—

what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Romans 12: 2

PS
Once they got the team back, they lost their first game by 20points.  Some would say that they won the only game that matters!