February 27, 2002

God helped me to win!: How often have you heard an athlete give thanks to God after winning or scoring? What about those athletes who God didn't allow to win? Harry Pearson, in The Guardian, discusses this in this entertaining column.

posted by salmacis to general at 09:58 AM - 9 comments

Very cute. By the way, The Onion had a take on this a few years back: "NFL Star Thanks Jesus After Successful Double Homicide."

posted by Prince Valium at 12:51 PM on February 27, 2002

Some sports I can't watch on TV. I don't mind the games -- I don't like the interview after the game. Because the winning players always give credit to God while the losing players blame themselves. Just once I'd like to hear a player say, "Yeah, we were in the game -- until Jesus made me fumble!"

-JEFF STILSON

posted by Samsonov14 at 01:02 PM on February 27, 2002

Why I like Robert Smith, and could bring myself not to hate the Vikings when he was playing: Dan Barreiro of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune once quoted Smith on the religious zealotry in the NFL. First Smith said of the evangelizing Reggie White, "I find many of Reggie's comments incredibly ignorant. His statements on gays are embarrassing and speak to how little he knows . . ." As for Cris Carter and Deion Sanders saying religion saved their lives, fine, "But wearing it on your sleeve to where it dominates the whole part of you, to where some guys seem to say they're better than you because of their religious faith, that bothers me."

posted by liam at 01:20 PM on February 27, 2002

Personally, when the Yankees win, I give praise to Lucifer (why do ya think the Red Sox continue to have problems?). But seriously...methinks these athletes that think "god" is behind their talent really need to get a clue. I mean, all those hours of practice for half their life means nothing? By that standard, I should be F1 champion, Cy Young and Triple Crown winner, and sweep the Grand Slam all at the same time..all the while eating donuts, cheese fries, and reading SpoFi in my spare time.

posted by PeteyStock at 01:33 PM on February 27, 2002

Liam, thank you for the Smith link. It's refreshing to find some common sense and (gasp) intelligence in the ranks of the NFL.

posted by Prince Valium at 01:40 PM on February 27, 2002

I couldn't find a link, but I read somewhere (in the NY Times, I think) that Robert Smith also spoke out against how coaches expect prayer in the locker room.

posted by liam at 01:53 PM on February 27, 2002

I agree that associating a victory with God's blessing is not only problematic but trivializes the very idea of God. Musicians are also prone to this kind of association (watch the Grammy's tonight and I'm sure you'll hear it). However, I think the author of this article chose the wrong statement to rant against. It is quite different to say "God had a plan for me" and "God helped me win." The latter implies that God is not only interested in the outcome of a competition but takes sides. The former does not necessarily mean that. She could very well be talking about her life and journey as a black woman.

posted by jacknose at 02:47 PM on February 27, 2002

What? God is a black woman?

posted by salmacis at 05:50 PM on February 27, 2002

I think so. No, I simply mean that "God had a plan for me" does not equal "God helped me win." Now, "God had a plan for me" may be questionable theologically or philosophically, but it does not necessarily mean that she was thanking God for helping her win the Olympics.

posted by jacknose at 07:06 PM on February 27, 2002

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