7 Days of Super Bowl Stuff -SBXLIV- Day 5 “Discipline”
“You need to be that much more disciplined with what you’re doing and execution becomes that much more critical.” – Drew Brees.
In this clip, Saint Head Coach Sean Payton, Quarterback Drew Brees and Running Back Reggie Bush demonstrate their knowledge of their formidable opponent, the Colts. We see from their words their understanding of how good the other team is and especially in Brees’ section (:24-:44), he brings up an incredibly important topic of discipline. Discipline for these men on the football field is essential. Each player has a role, an assignment, a task. On each and every play, if each player doesn’t perform their task, the rest of the team suffers. It takes discipline, on every play, from everyone player, in order for their goal of the play to be successful. The players may need to remain disciplined when it comes to their foot work, to their hand placement, to their form, to their route, to their fake, to their block, to their gap assignment, to their zone, to their man, etc. and so on. Prior to each game, they must be disciplined with their workouts, their knowledge of the playbook, training, learning and taking care of their bodies. Each player plays a pivotal role in the success of each play.
Click HERE for the YouTube link.
The same goes for us, in the spiritual life. We must become and remain disciplined in regards to our spiritual practices. We each have a specific role to play on our spiritual team, and when members of the team don’t perform, the rest of the team suffers. This is why we are referred to as the body of Christ. “…all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.” [Read: 1 Corinthians 12.] The discipline that we must have starts at the beginning of each day. Discipline involves our actions, words and thoughts. If we remain disciplined, our prayer lives are strong. We fight temptations. We make virtuous decisions. We live as Christ demonstrated for us. Discipline in the little things makes us disciplined in the big things.
If you’re struggling with discipline of a daily prayer life, I recommend that you focus on that. I share in your struggle, because prayer can be tough some days. Becoming disciplined in your prayer means that you spend time, daily, speaking to God. If you’re a married man, imagine not speaking to your wife for a month, and see how good the relationship is at the end of the month. Probably not very good. God is the same way. Open your heart to Him and speak. However, God gave us two ears and only one mouth… listen twice as much as you speak.
Man up!
7 Days of Super Bowl Stuff -SBXLIV- Day 4 “Champions for Life”
This year it seems the Super Bowl story that’s getting the most press has nothing to do with the actual game. It’s Tim Tebow’s Pro-Life commercial, starring him and his mother, from Focus on the Family. People have been up in arms about this commercial, and it hasn’t even aired yet!
A few days ago, when news of the commercial started hitting the web-airways, I posted about it here.
Yesterday, however, I was forwarded a link to the following video clip. The commercial came from a group of players from the 1986 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants football team. Players came together to stand for life, which is what Tebow is doing, yet few modern-day critics seem to remember it. I commend all players who stand for life, whether today, or 24 years ago. Phil Simms, the storied Giants quarterback who had a cameo in the 1986 commercial, is still involved in NFL commentating on CBS. I’m not sure if he’s responded to the “uproar” or not, but I’d be interested in hearing what he has to say. Whatever that may be, take some time to check out this video. It’s a bit long, so my apologies. (9:20).
If your content has been removed and you can’t view the clip, click HERE.
7 Days of Super Bowl Stuff -SBXLIV- Day 3 “Tenacity”
Tenacity… quite possibly one of the most important characteristics of a football player. Being tenacious means that you hold fast to something, that you’re stubborn and obstinate. Typically, in football, tenacity refers to winning. It refers to the heart of a player, a heart that never gives up, never gives in. A tenacious player will do anything and everything to win. He’ll play beyond his body’s abilities, when he’s worn down, tired, beaten up. Tenacity is a quality that a football player must possess because everyone else on the field, especially on the other team, is playing with a tenacity that won’t quit.
How tenacious are you in your faith journey? Do you hold fast to something? Do you hold fast to the Gospel Truth? Are you stubborn about your prayer life? Do you live the truths of the faith out obstinately? The other team, Satan’s team, is tenacious in their beliefs. His team is stubborn and obstinate. If you come into your “faith game” weak, they’ll tear you apart. Your tenacity must outweigh theirs. Your tenacity must be so overpowering that they can’t even stand to be in the same room as you. The demons in our lives hate it, they literally hate, when we’re striving for holiness in Jesus Christ. Being tenacious about the journey toward holiness will send them into a rage and they’ll fight even harder against you. Your tenacity must continue to increase. Increase it by praying daily, receiving the Sacraments and keeping your eyes on the prize!
This Sunday, the Colts and the Saints are going to be playing with incredible tenacity. In the end, I believe the winner will be the team that holds fast to their game plan, to their strategy, to their beliefs.
This video seemed to capture some of the tenacity with which the New Orleans Saints played this season. It sort of took me back to college, getting pumped for a game, making the big hit, tasting victory. (I figured since I gave some Colt love on Day 1, I should send it back to the Saints today, Day 3.) Enjoy. (2:13)
7 Days of Super Bowl Stuff – SBXLIV – Day 2 “Crowning a Champion”
This is my latest article on iibloom.com, posted Feb 1, 2010:
The countdown has begun; t-minus 6 days and counting until the big game. Super Bowl XLIV is upon us, one of the biggest spectacles in all of sports and entertainment. The anticipation of the game is on the minds of many sports fans across the country. The anticipation of the commercials, which might be the larger anticipation, is on the minds of television fans and of “people who like parties with lots of food.” In the end, there will be a winning team (the champions) and a losing team. It may be the team you are rooting for, it might not. 50/50. Win: go down in history. Lose: be forgotten.
It’s easy for us to get into the stereotypical (“dumb ox”) mindset when it comes to football…”ugh…me like football, mmm, smash, kill, score, win…ugh.” It’s easy to yell at the television, even though we know they can’t hear us and that the play we’re yelling about is already history. It’s easy to stuff our faces full of greasy food during any given game. It’s easy to become involved, in an unhealthy way, in the fantasy of the game. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing intrinsically evil about football, and in the right context, is perfectly normal and healthy, however, we should guard against a few tendencies that are common in our society.
- We must realize that football is a game and has no bearing on what our goal in life should be – getting to Heaven.
- We shouldn’t try to live (vicariously or otherwise) through our favorite football team or all-star players.
- We should never allow football to take precedence over family time.
- We should never allow football to take precedence over our responsibilities.
- We should “consume” football in reasonable, moderate amounts.
Maybe football isn’t your thing, and you could care less about the Super Bowl, or the commercials. That’s fine. Substitute the worldly thing in your life that you enjoy the most for the word football in the five sentences above. (Shopping, Watching movies/television, Going to concerts, etc.)
Reporters often ask coaches what their “game plan” is and if getting to the Superbowl was in the plan from the beginning. What a ridiculous question! Of course it was in their plan, it’s every coach’s plan, and it should always be their plan as long as they’re coaching! No coach, or player, ever goes into a season playing for second-best. The goal is always to win! Liken this to our goals in life. If we go into our season without a game plan, without a set of plays and without the playbook, we’ll easily be defeated. We should go into the game of life with the goal of winning.
Our “season” is our life. The “game plan” is our daily plan of how we’re going to grow closer to Christ. The “set of plays” are our everyday prayers, actions, choices and the Mass and our “playbook” is Sacred Scripture. If we set a goal of achieving the title of “champion” (a Saint in Heaven), we’re much more likely to be granted that salvation than if we never decide to shoot for anything in life. Set your goal towards God.
Many coaches are constantly telling their players to be humble, play hard and to not underestimate their opponents. They realize that their team isn’t perfect, while at the same time continuing to shoot for perfection. Their positive and optimistic outlook guides their team towards greatness. We should all be shooting for greatness too. God wants our best, given freely to him, in all we do.
In the little things (hosting a Super Bowl party, being a guest at one, making comments about the plays, the calls or the commercials) during the game (and always), be aware of your words, your actions and your thoughts. A true follower of Christ never makes someone call into question his motivation, his intent or his character. Give God your very best and you’ll be crowned a champion!
Man up!
7 Days of Super Bowl Stuff -SBXLIV- Day 1
Super Bowl XLIV is nearly upon us. The potentially epic battle between two of the National Football League’s biggest “gunslingers” will commence next Sunday February 7th, and the game proves to be one of the most exciting Super Bowls in recent history. (It’s unlikely that this year’s game will top last year’s, especially the finish, by my team, the 6-Time World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers!) Peyton Manning from the Indianapolis Colts and Drew Brees from the New Orleans Saints plan to take their teams to victory, but there can be only one winner.
I hear lots of discussion about these two quarterbacks, who also captain their teams. On the one hand,
you’ve got the likable character of Peyton Manning, the face of the Colts for the past 12 years and a common face in mainstream advertising. Manning’s intensity and incredible vision on the field make him one of the elite at the position. He’s been league MVP four times, including this season. He won the Super Bowl in 2006. He’s going to be hard to beat.
On the other hand, you’ve got the unlikely story of the 
New Orleans Saints, and their quarterback Drew Brees. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed the Louisiana Superdome, but after a nearly-$200 million dollar renovation, the team made it back to their home and worked their way to an almost perfect season in 2009. Starting out 13-0 this season, the Saints were highly favored in the NFC to make it to the Super Bowl, and they did just that. They did it behind the leadership and incredible ability of Brees. Personally, I think both players are likable men. I think they show incredible leadership and striking ability on the field. I don’t have a preferred team in this case, but I’m predicting that Manning and the Colts will end up winning in a high-scoring, (poorly defensed) game. Colts will win Super Bowl XLIV 38-31.
Ponder this for a moment…
Imagine if, when it came down to eternity, only one “team” was given the prize of salvation. Only the winning team was awarded everlasting life with God the Father and the losing team, went to hell. If you were on one of those teams, wouldn’t you put all your heart and soul into doing everything you could to be the winning team? Well, the fact of the matter is that instead of it being a football game, it’s an actual war. The battle is taking place, as we speak, for souls. There is a winning side, and there is a losing side. The winners receive uncontrollable joy, peace and love with God in Heaven. The losers receive the exact opposite – the absence of love. Knowing this, why is it that we allow ourselves to play on the losing team? We have the ability to play on the winning team and the game has already been played. Jesus Christ already died on the cross for us, and won us the victory. You have the choice, today and everyday, to play on Christ’s winning team. His team is playing for something more important than the Vince Lombardi Trophy. There’s no time to lose. Suit up, and play on the winning team today!
Man up!
Tebow in Pro-Life Ad [Pro-Life, Nothing Else Makes Sense]
I saw a Facebook status that mentioned something about Tim Tebow and the Super Bowl ad that he and his mother are going to be featured in on Sunday, February 7th. The commercial has been funded by Focus on the Family and has an openly pro-life sentiment. Pam Tebow, when faced with a sickness/disease during pregnancy with Tim (her 5th child), was informed by her doctors to abort the pregnancy for fear of her death, or complications with the baby. Pam said no, and proceeded with the pregnancy, giving birth
to a boy who would grow up and become one of the most recognizable faces in college sports history.
Tebow won the Heisman trophy and a National Championship, and quite arguably, the accomplishments he has made off the field far outweigh his accomplishments on the field. However, regardless of what he’s done in life, he had the right to life while in the womb! Pro-Life makes sense, pro-abortion doesn’t. It simply doesn’t make sense.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find the ad itself, but I have a news conference with Tebow’s response and also one man’s (Larry Murphy, I guess) take on the situation. (I disagree with the name-calling, but thought some of his quips were justified.)
Please stop calling abortion Pro-Choice. No one should have the choice to murder. Call it what it is, Pro-Abortion (Pro-Death).
Man up!
No Idea Where to Take It
Since my first post about Tiger (nine days ago), an incredible amount of information has surfaced in this story. 
Obviously, we’ve all seen or heard at least some details. At this point, I have no idea where to take it. There’s so much to talk about, I don’t care to get into it. To me, Tiger has become another Lindsay Lohan/Britney Spears/A-Rod/John&Kate+8 tabloid star. In light of this, I probably won’t blog more about him or this situation unless something really sticks out to me.
In response to a comment I received, I’d like to clear up a few things. Here is the comment:
While I certainly do not condone his behavior, I think you are being a bit judgmental – especially when you state that “I won’t forget.” You are carrying a grudge against him and seem as though you are unwilling to forgive him for his transgressions. Hate the sin, not the sinner.
Tiger is at a low point in his life. He obviously has some major problems that he needs to deal with. On the news this morning, I heard reports of even more affairs and a possible addiction to pain killers.
Advent is a time of forgiveness and repentance. We need to forgive him. Tiger needs to repent. Pray that he understands the ramifications of his actions and that he is able to deal with these issues head on (repent).
I’ve discussed the topic of “judgmental” before, but I’ll clear up the confusion. Typically, the term ‘judgmental’ is misused in our society. Although I may receive some flack for this, to be judgmental is good… we judge actions of individuals to determine whether or not they would be good friends. As a parent, I judge the actions of individuals to determine whether or not they can have contact with my children. We judge decisions, records and work-ethic of political figures to determine whether or not we should vote for them. We judge moral decisions. We judge a great deal of things. In this case, I was judging Tiger’s actions. The confusion, I believe, comes when judgmental is used in place of “condemning”. When we condemn others, we put ourselves in the place of Christ, taking the position of “you’re going to hell because of…”. Condemning others is not our place, nor will it ever be. Judgment is a virtue, in fact, you can read about it in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1806, under the heading of Prudence.
I’m not “unwilling to forgive” Tiger, nor am I carrying a grudge. My point in the previous post about Tiger was that he is in the lime light and can’t simply turn that off because he made some mistakes. His actions (morally right, wrong or indifferent) will have lasting effects on society. You may say I’m stretching it here, but there will be men who think to themselves, and some who actually say the words out loud, “Tiger did it, it’s okay for me to do it too”. His influence is (was) too powerful for that not to happen.
Also mentioned was the topic of forgiveness. Yes, we are in Advent; it’s not a time of forgiveness or repentance, as stated in the comment. Advent is a time of preparation and expectancy for the coming birth of the Christ child. So, let’s look at this in the context of the Tiger situation, how does Advent play a role in how we look at everything? First off, it’s not my place to forgive him, he has not trespassed against me… that’s for God and Tiger’s wife Elin. Next, it was necessary that Jesus came into this world, to unite us to the Father because of our failings. Our (mankind’s) sins were so grave that God Himself HAD to take human form, lowering Himself to human status, in order to redeem us. Tiger, the same as all of us, needs God’s grace, His forgiveness and His mercy. In this time of suffering and struggle for Tiger, I wish him healing. I pray for a conversion of his soul. Tiger obviously needs God, he might not know it yet, but he needs him. And yes, you’re right, “hate the sin, love the sinner”.
I highly recommend that we all take a break from this tabloid saga and concentrate on more important things, like manning up!
Man up!
