The young Buffalo Bills football player who suffered cardiac arrest on the football field graduated from the same high school that I had graduated from.....over a half-century ago. The Buffalo Bills were my football team as a youth....for I was born in Buffalo. Jack Kemp and Cookie Gilchrist were just some of my heroes. I may not be sure where I put my keys a few minutes ago....but I could still name you most of both the Bills offense and defense in the mid-60s. One day my father brought home punter/linebacker Paul Maquire's practice jersey....and I wore that until it was nothing but shreds.
Earlier in my life....as a baby....the Pittsburgh Steelers were my father's and my uncles football team. Steeler fullback Frannie Rogel....a Pro Bowl selection in 1956....was a friend of my father....for they were from the same high school. Most of the family....just before I was born....were transferred through their jobs from Pittsburgh to Buffalo.
What transpired on that football field in Cincinnati....and I only saw it in the news....was extremely emotional. The reactions of players on the field was heartwarming....and the news of the progress of that young football player surely is an answer to the prayers of so many.
Buffalo played their first game at home since the life-threatening episode on the field in Cincinnati....and apparently a Bills player ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen is quoted in this morning's news...."You want the truth....it was spiritual. I can't remember a play that touched me like that, I don't think in my life, so it's probably No.1. I was going around with my teammates and saying, 'God's real'."
Now I'm a little emotional typing this....but not because a football player ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. I'm emotional because that football quarterback....who I'm sure is also a fine young man....and maybe even a believer in Jesus Christ for all I know....somehow thinks that on this the Lord's Day....in front of 69,000 screaming fans....and millions on television....while the nation is in the midst of collapse with violence and unbelief everywhere....and a watered-down gospel with most of those who do believe....Christians who presumably were in church a little over an hour earlier....'worshiping God'....that the touchdown was in some way....proof of God's existence.
That young man who all of this has revolved around....who from what I have read is an exceptional young man....still has very serious health concerns....and prayers will be offered continuously for him and his family. All of what happened is surely spiritual....as Josh Allen described....but not in the way that he envisions it. So we are at halftime with this....but we should go out on the field with the Apostle Paul's words...."I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ."
Addendum: Do you have eleven minutes to spare. Right now on John Piper's website....he has a podcast titled....Getting The Tone Right On Sunday Morning. It's relevant to the above post.....and where our minds are at when we go to church. Just go to....desiringgod.org....and the message is right there.
