Football and Faith
Editor’s Note: The Football and Faith series will connect themes found in both football and Christianity. The writing series will run from September through mid-February. The writing team consists of numerous Catholic priests and a seminarian in the local area.
The theme of the recent Catholic Schools week centered around the spiritual principle of “kindness” which is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Please read Galatians 5:22-23, for the rest of the fruits of the Spirit. The kindness theme brought back a happy memory of a Super Bowl commercial from 1979. I know that was a long time ago, but the advertisement for Coca-Cola often is listed in the top ten Super Bowl commercials.
The commercial was filmed in a tunnel of a high school field over three days. Pittsburgh Steeler great, “Mean Joe” Greene was shown hobbling off the field into the tunnel after being injured during a game. His jersey was hanging off his large shoulder pad. A young boy of ten years old, showing care and concern for his hero, somehow follows him and asks, “Mr. Greene, do you need any help?” A very deep sounding voice answers “No, no.” The boy has patience and exclaims, “You are the best ever!” Out of the boy’s kindness and generosity, he offers Mean Joe his drink. “Want my Coke, you can have it!”
The boy probably expected Mean Joe to take a sip and hand it back, but the unthinkable happens, and the injured player drinks the entire bottle of soda. The boy says, “See you around” and begins to walk away disappointed, as his beverage has just disappeared. This looking downcast was a similar experience two disciples of Jesus had on the Road to Emmaus after Jesus death (Luke 24: 13-35). These disciples had not yet understood that Jesus was alive and was, in fact, right in their midst, walking with them, but Jesus was not able to be recognized. Jesus reveals Himself to the Emmaus hikers during the “Breaking of the Bread.”
Before the Coke commercial ends, there is a similar spiritual awakening right after the guzzling of the Coke, after all it is Hollywood! Mean Joe, in his kindness, patience, gentleness and generosity tosses the boy his jersey! “Hey kid, catch.” “Wow, thanks Mean Joe!” What an amazing gift from the boy’s hero; a gift he will cherish for a lifetime. What an amazing act of kindness to the young fan as his disappointment was quickly turned into joy!
Shortly after the Super Bowl, the church season of Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday. One spiritual take away from this golden oldie Super Bowl commercial is to practice acts of kindness. Be a “Mean Joe” for others in your life. One Lenten practice is to do something kind for someone but don’t let them know about it. “You Father who sees in secret ...” Matt 6:4.
Enjoy the game, the commercials, and the camaraderie the Super Bowl brings this year. Even though one of my favorite sandwiches is a Philly Cheesesteak, there is not a “shadow” of doubt the Chiefs will prevail 33-27, with the most valuable player being Travis Kelsey..