A Sacred Institution
In 1968 there were two major professional football leagues. I guess it could be said that, in actuality, there was only one major such league. It would still be a couple of years before the younger and less powerful American Football League became the American Football Conference after their merger with the National Football League.
In November of that year, two of the most famous teams in the American Football League played one another. That game is now a part of football lore – especially for those old enough to remember the events of that day. Even if you are old enough (like me) to have been aware of the game, but did not (again like me) see the game, you have probably heard of what has become known as “The Heidi Bowl.”
Here’s a very quick synopsis of what made that particular game noteworthy. Better stated, the events surrounding the game have become more noteworthy than the game itself.
In 1968, CBS aired NFL games while NBC had the contract to televise AFL games. NBC also had a contract to televise a made for TV movie on November 17, 1968. That was also the date that they were to televise a Sunday afternoon game between the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders.
According to the contract with the producers of the movie, Heidi, it was to begin precisely at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. If it did not begin then, NBC stood to lose all of the money that had been agreed upon to televise the movie.
It was getting close to that fateful hour as the game clock on the football game began to run down. With just over a minute to go in the game, the Jets kicked a field goal that gave them a 32-29 lead. When it got to 7:00 p.m. and with so little time left on the game clock, the decision was made to start showing Heidi. Nobody could have guessed that the Raiders would score twice in nine seconds and would win the game 43-32.
As I was listening to a podcast recently about these events, something that was said caught my attention more than the unusual sequence of events during a football game. Instead, the man presenting the material made a statement that, at least to me, is much more important than the score of one game – or the cumulative scores of every football game ever played.
The man on the podcast characterized those bygone days of 1968 as the time before televising and watching professional football games became
“A SACRED INSTITUTION”
Sadly, the actions of some people make it appear that he was correct when he used that language. It seems that many of us have a “shrine” in our homes. We will get ourselves comfortable in our recliners, turn it on, and “worship” some sporting event and/or those who participate in it.
It is also sad to me that it seems that this could be expanded way beyond the television screen. It seems that some are much more devoted to sports and other forms of entertainment than they are to Jesus. Some seemingly prefer participating, watching, and supporting these pastimes to worshiping and serving the Lord.
Before I go any further with this, I need to make it clear that I am not anti-sports. I’ve participated in and coached some teams in the past. I’ve been one of those proud parents sitting on uncomfortable bleachers in sweltering heat and freezing cold watching children participating in a game, playing in the band, etc. I still enjoy watching certain sports on television and in person. I’m just typing these words because I’m concerned about the priorities that some people seem to have.
For example, I wonder what the explanation some parents have for their children failing to attend Bible classes, worship services, or other opportunities for spiritual growth and instead practice, play in, or attend some game? Here’s one I’ve heard more than once (and once is too many times to me). “They’ve made a commitment to the team, squad, school, etc.”
Every time I hear that, I cannot help but wonder about the commitment of the parents who wear the name of Christ. Are they not instructed to “…bring [their children] up in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord”? (Eph. 6:4) Is it not true that the verse also says that the primary responsibility for this lies with the fathers?
What about the athlete himself/herself who has been baptized into Christ? I’m old enough to remember when a pitcher who is now in The Baseball Hall of Fame refused to pitch in a World Series game even though it was his turn to be on the mound. You see, Sandy Koufax was/is a Jew and that particular day was Yom Kippur. His commitment to what he regarded as a sacred institution was more important to him than what has been called “baseball’s biggest stage.” Shouldn’t Christians be more devoted to the One who died for them and who nailed that Old Testament law to His cross (Col. 2:14)?
I guess I could go on and on with this, but I’ll just end all of this with one thought. We are a little more than two months away from an evening that may shine a bright light on my concerns. On the evening of February 13, 2022, a number of people who wear the name of Christ will be sitting in front of their televisions. A number of churches will have rearranged their worship services or called them off.
Why? Why just this one Sunday?
Surely you know the answer to that! It’s the most important day and the most important event of the year to millions of people. It’s Super Bowl Sunday!
The Lombardi Trophy is presented to the winning team of the Super Bowl every year. The fame and reward of winning what some have called “the ultimate game” is transient.
Some of us seem to be so caught up in earthly pastimes that we fail to think of eternity. Maybe we need to remember something that Paul wrote:
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (1 Cor. 9:25)
It seems to me that the path from “The Heidi Bowl” to the Super Bowl is taking people in the wrong direction.
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
