“A house divided.”
The phrase can apply to politics or sports. But now is a time for the latter to unite us amid the former.
The United States is in a tense time of division as political issues such as energy, freedom of speech and immigration are on the forefront of news headlines and executive orders.
Last Sunday, thousands took to the streets of Los Angeles to protest the emphasis on deportation. On Monday, many businesses across the country participated in “A Day Without Immigrants” to show how those who moved to this country in hopes of a better life are valuable contributors to society.
While fear can drive people apart and toward emotions of anger and helplessness, there is an opportunity for togetherness in the sports world. Super Bowl LIX kicks off on Sunday in New Orleans. The Kansas City Chiefs seek to make history by becoming the first team to win three straight championships. It will be a rematch of Super Bowl LVII because they face the Philadelphia Eagles, who have their own sense of mission.
Sports is often a vehicle for empowerment and unity because it is a pursuit of excellence. Sports transcends the mundane nature of day-to-day life and offers fans a glimpse of something superhuman.
The apostle Paul knew the power of athletic achievement. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 about how Christians should be motivated to live a disciplined lifestyle like an elite athlete.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?” he said. “Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Both the Chiefs and Eagles are seeking to offer hope to New Orleans as the city recovers from the tragic attack on New Year’s Day where 14 people were killed. The country got a spark of the unity and resilience that sports offers via college football when Notre Dame and Georgia came together a day later to play in the Sugar Bowl.
Eagles bring fan injured in New Orleans attack to Super Bowl
The Eagles offered comfort to fan Ryan Quigley, who was injured and lost his best friend, Tiger Bech, in the attack. The team invited him to New Orleans to cheer them on as they try to capture the Lombardi Trophy. Bech’s sister, Ginnie, was in tears as she thanked Philadelphia defensive end Brandon Graham for honoring her brother.
“For Ryan and for our family, that we get to rewrite this so soon from such a negative, horrible memory to such a really beautiful and cool memory and what you guys have done for us, it truly means so much,” she said.
Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts driven by foundation of faith
Both Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, and Eagles quarterback, Jalen Hurts, have been vocal about their faith throughout their careers.
Mahomes was sure to give God glory after winning the AFC Championship and continued to be transparent about his source of direction leading up to the Super Bowl..
“Jesus is my Lord and Savior,” he told Sports Spectrum. “It’s someone that I look up to every single day to decide what I want to do with my life and how I want to live my life. And so Jesus is everything to me at the end of the day.”
Hurts has said his favorite Bible verse is John 13:7 where, while Jesus is washing his disciples’ feet and Peter objects, Jesus replies, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Part of why fans have flocked to support Hurts is because of his inspirational journey. While at Alabama, he was benched in the national championship game. He then had success at Oklahoma before Philadelphia selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft. He is now appearing in his second Super Bowl.
NFL has history of uplifting those in need
New Orleans, the host city for Super Bowl LIX, is no stranger to overcoming adversity either. Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Big Easy in 2005. The entire nation was shaken at the tragedy. The NFL showed support to the region by hosting “Hurricane Relief Weekend,” which included a telethon that raised $5 million.
When the New Orleans Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in 2010, it was a comeback for the whole city. Quarterback Drew Brees, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, knew how important the win was for the community.
“We played for so much more than just ourselves,” he said. “We played for our city. We played for the entire Gulf Coast region. We played for the entire Who Dat nation who was behind us every step of the way and what can I say? We’ve been blessed with so much and just to have this opportunity is unbelievable.”
The NFL came together again this year when Los Angeles was devastated by wildfires. The league donated $5 million to relief efforts. When it was deemed unsafe for the Los Angeles Rams to play their wild card playoff game at their home stadium, the matchup was moved to Glendale, Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals welcomed their NFC West rival with open arms. They got 200 gallons of paint to transform the venue from red to blue and even put Rams merchandise in their team store.
While the NFL is intentional about not having a religious affiliation, these acts reflect Christian goodwill.
Galatians 6:9-10 gives instructions for how to live in generosity.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Super Bowl LIX is more than a game with Kendrick Lamar halftime show
Sports also intersects with music, fashion and other pop culture elements to offer many entry points for people to be inspired and encouraged.
A message of unity will be on the big stage when Kendrick Lamar performs at the Super Bowl halftime show. For his Juneteenth concert last year, the Compton MC made history by bringing together members of the Crips and Bloods, historically rival gangs. On his album To Pimp a Butterfly, Lamar analyzed how rivalries in the streets reflected tension in politics when he referenced the terms “Democrips” and “Rebloodicans.” He wore a purple jacket (red and blue) for his Super Bowl halftime show promotional poster, which got fans excited that his set will be a continuation of his call for togetherness.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper uses his platform to celebrate the cultural diversity of Los Angeles. He embraced Latino culture on his latest album, GNX, by having Deyra Barrera, a mariachi singer, featured throughout the project. He also collaborated with Fresno-born and New York-based designer Willy Chavarria, who has broken barriers while representing his Chicano heritage, to design a collection of Super Bowl merchandise.
This harmony mirrors Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28 where he says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
While verses like this are sometimes used to enforce uniformity, the Bible is clear that God loves diversity. In Revelation 7:9, John describes a vision of heaven.
“I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”
Lamar has expressed belief in a higher power since his early days rapping as K.Dot. One of his strongest statements of spirituality was a song called “Faith” from the “Kendrick Lamar” EP. The illustrious “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” off his good kid m.A.A.d city LP reflects a heart that desires a relationship with God and he heavily used imagery evoking Christ for his Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers album.
One of his biggest anthems, “Alright,” gained popularity because of how it became a “clarion call,” according to Sho Baraka. Since its release in 2015, it has been used to protest racial injustice and celebrate victory over oppression. Chicago rapper Ric Wilson witnessed a crowd in Cleveland chanting the chorus after they prevented police from arresting a 14-year-old boy. He deemed the song the new “We Shall Overcome.”
The NFL itself has been intentional about celebrating all people. The Por La Cultura campaign uplifts the Latino players in the league and hopes to connect authentically with Latino and Hispanic fans. The league also salutes rising stars via the Latino Youth Honors program, which is in its second season.
In His time on earth, Jesus was very clear that His mission was to give hope to those oppressed by society. The beatitudes in Matthew 5 describe God’s heart that He calls the poor in spirit, those who mourn and those who are persecuted because of righteousness, “blessed.”
Since 2020, the NFL has ramped up efforts to stand in solidarity with traditionally marginalized communities. In the wake of the police murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other acts of injustice, the league initiated a campaign to put phrases like “End Racism” and “It Takes All of Us” in the end zones. Players were also invited to put sayings like, “Stop Hate” and “Inspire Change” on their helmets.
There was criticism that the league was acting hypocritically because of how Colin Kaepernick was treated. The quarterback was allegedly blackballed after he kneeled during the National Anthem, acting in protest of police brutality. He hasn’t played an NFL snap since the 2016 season.
God’s sovereignty brings unity
Despite the whims of man, believers can turn to God, whose sense of justice is not like this world’s. Moses declares The Lord’s goodness in Deuteronomy 32:4.
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just,” he said. “A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”
Especially since the Super Bowl is held during Black History Month, the league has an opportunity to continue authentically celebrating all cultures. Having an artist like Kendrick Lamar perform the halftime show is a big deal. There are also two Black quarterbacks competing for the title.
So whether Jalen Hurts makes it to the mountain and wins his first Super Bowl or if Patrick Mahomes carves his name into history with his third straight title, the big game will offer people a glimpse of something greater than themselves and how to overcome.
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