Wednesday, November 20, 2002
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Wednesday, November 20, 2002 |
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'Jesus freak' coach is refreshing change By JOHN HATCHER Mark Richt, head football coach at the University of Georgia, is a Jesus freak. Now, I said that. He didn't say it. The media didn't say it. The Public Relations Office of UGA's Athletic Association didn't say it. Richt, in his quiet and demurring fashion, would probably say that he a simple follower of Jesus Christ. In my way of thinking, however, the Georgia coach is a Jesus freak. And it was ever so refreshing to hear the first public words coming out of Richt's mouth following Georgia's stunning victory over Auburn, "I just want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Of course, the sportscaster for CBS didn't know exactly what to do with such a radical comment but to ignore it and get the interview back to something more conventional and comfortable like football. I am not a sports expert. Ask anyone in my church. I can easily confuse football's and basketball's terminology. When I tell a sports story, I know I am on thin ice. But this thing of Richt thanking and praising Jesus Christ on national television on the heels of victory, it's absolutely grand stuff. Personally, I don't know if God had a favorite in last Saturday's game. But, if something good happened to anyone, it's entirely appropriate to give thanks to one's Savior and Lord. The Word of God says, "Be joyful always. Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God,s will for you in Christ Jesus"(1 Thessalonians 5:18). It should give Christianity a proverbial shot in the old arm to hear that kind of testimony coming from the lips of such a national presence as Richt. Many Christians will often say something like, "I want to thank God for such and such." But Richt took it further. For indeed there are many gods in the world. He identified the name of his god, the God of Jesus Christ. From all indications, Mark Richt is the genuine bill. As the cameras focus on his movements on the sidelines, I don't see his lips shaping curse words like many a coach on the sideline. I don't see him shouting and jumping in anger at his boys. He seems to take it all in a peaceful stride. His fellow church members also see his witness. Why, I have members who can't make it to church on Sunday following their attendance at an out-of-town game of sorts. They think I should understand. Baloney! The word is that Richt can always be seen in his usual seat every Sunday morning regardless how far away he was the previous game Saturday. I tell you what ... that kind of faithfulness gives us pastors a proverbial sure shot in the arm. I even hear that at times Richt invites players to church to hear a Gospel sermon, to the chagrin of the ACLU. Is Coach Richt perfect? No. But he is a heaven of a lot more a witness than many of us in the pulpit. I thank God and yes, the God of Jesus Christ for Coach. After all, it's time to be thankful. The Rev.
Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of |
