Calling Audibles Part XXII: Moral High Ground and Shifting Sands

istock sand castle

“If the LORD does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless.” –Psalm 127: 1 The NCAA has taken a stand against the culture of football at Penn State.   Their attempt to take the moral high ground against a culture they helped to create raises some big questions for me.  I heard the Chair of the Executive Committee of the NCAA (which, by the way, is not the Rainbow Coalition–check out the roster.  By my count 20 of the 23 members are white and 19 of the 23 members are male) say that Chancellors and Presidents… Read the full post

Calling Audibles Part II: Seeing Right Through

iStock football uprights

It is better—much better—to have wisdom and knowledge than gold and silver.~Proverbs 16:16 Driving home from vacation this summer my husband John and I talked about him returning to work on the UNC football staff.  It had been just over a year since problems with the program came to light due to the NCAA investigation over improper benefits and academic fraud. The football season that was behind us had been uniquely stressful and sad for many at UNC.  The coaches and players worked hard to do the right thing, to learn, and to come together as a team.  It was… Read the full post

Calling Audibles Part I: “Sudden Destruction”

Calling Audibles

When they say “There is peace and security,” then suddenly destruction will come upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape. ~1 Thessalonians 5:3 The Defensive Coordinator at a place that plays blue-collar/smash mouth football like Penn State surely appears heroic.  Jerry Sandusky’s “Linebacker U” defense was known for its strength and dominance. There were also simultaneously whispers around college football that Jerry and his “Second Mile” charity were less than heroic.  Now that the scandal at Penn State is out and heads are rolling, people are comparing notes on the things they had… Read the full post