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The Southern-fried Preacher
Harold Bales
The motto of this blessed blurb is “A bit of what's southern, fried, or preachy and more or less fit to print.” Most of what appears here originates as a weekly newspaper column. But the nice thing is that I can put on this site whatever I want. So I've got some other stuff here too. Check out the other sections listed in the red box to the left here. Also, send me your comments and ideas. I think about this divine rag as a weekly note to family and friends.
Welcome!
“It's Football Time”
Few things provoke more anticipation, hope and prayer than the beginning of college football season in the South. This should come as no surprise since most southern folk are religious people. Naturally, we want the Almighty to look with favor on our favorite teams. It is a wonder that the NCAA has not punished the Lord for tampering with our games. After all, have not the winners always been recipients of divine favor? Now, don't tell me you have never prayed for your team to win! I know some of you better than you know yourselves. Some of you have even been overheard humming your team's fight song during a funeral.
One thing that contributes to the religious fervor that comes with football is that many coaches are unordained but devout lay theologians. You would expect this from some coaches. Take, for instance, the legendary coaches at a Roman Catholic university like Notre Dame. The most famous coach there, Knute Rockne, once gave a brief homily on the topic of prayer: “I've found that prayers work best when you have big players.” That's the kind of thing you want in a coach at a school with religious connections.
Woody Hayes, Ohio State coach, went beyond the old saw that sports develops character. He said about the spiritual benefits of football, “There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you.” That's a theological statement--sort of.
Southern coaches seem especially fond of theological proclamations. For instance, Shug Jordan, coach at Auburn University, explaining the Bible story of David and Goliath said, “Always remember, Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David.” Now, there's a fellow who, if he's your Sunday School teacher, makes you want a team of cheerleaders for the class!
Wally Butts, longtime coach at the University of Georgia, observed, “In Alabama, an atheist is someone who doesn't believe in Bear Bryant.” This comment is a reminder of the reverence in which at least this late, great coach is held by his fans.
Probably no coach has been better known for his Christian devotion than 80-year-old Bobby Bowden, legendary coach at Florida State University. When people have asked when he is going to quit, he has replied, “After you retire, there's only one big event left…and I ain't ready for that.” Coach Bowden has now announced his plans to retire after the upcoming season.
The religiosity that runs through football, especially in the South spills over into society. Or maybe it goes the other way. On an Arkansas church sign, the week before the big game between Arkansas and Texas, appeared this message: “Football is only a game. Spiritual things are eternal. Nevertheless, Beat Texas!”
Sports culture is undeniably touched by religious fervor. Many of the participants, coaches and fans are vocal in their religious commitments. Often they subject themselves to ridicule and scorn because of their public piety. Former Florida Gator and now NFL player, Tim Tebow, is a current case in point. Still, folk throughout the sports community, freely testify to their faith. Barbara Dooley, wife of coach Vince Dooley of the University of Georgia and mother of University of Tennessee coach Derek Dooley, tells of her fight with cancer. She explains how she came to her winning outlook: “If I lived, I had Vince. If I died, I had Jesus. Either way, I would be with a good man.”
Okay fans, get out your banners, caps and colors! It's football time again in the good ol' U' S' of A'!
Bye Y'all!
Reach me at hbales@carolina.rr.com
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