Did you catch any college football bowl games on New Year’s Day? I watched some of the Capital One Bowl and Rose Bowl and that felt like enough. However, I was intrigued with the match up in the Fiesta Bowl. Traditional powerhouse Oklahoma was scheduled to face the little regarded, non-BCS school from Boise, Idaho.
Even though Boise State was undefeated no one really gave the Broncos a chance to win. They play in the inferior Western Athletic Conference and achieved their record of perfection against so-called “mid-major” schools. So, it was a classic “David and Goliath” contest and I wanted to see how David would do.
In short the Broncos played well, led the whole game and almost lost in the end. The game was won because of exciting play calls and execution, and because Boise State chose after the final touchdown to go for two extra points instead of safely kicking for a tie. I don’t think I have ever seen a more exciting finish to a football game.
It occurred to me that many of us today play life too safe. We go for the “tie” rather than going for the “win”. We go after jobs that pay the bills rather than work that gives expression to our gifts and passion. We settle in to boring and trivial conversations rather than engage in thoughtful exchanges of ideas and beliefs. We substitute taking risks with recreation or simulation games rather than take relational risks that involve us with messy people.
I was excited that Boise State went for two points and the win. In the moment I thought, “Even if they don’t make it, hurray for them for going for it.”
Even though Boise State was undefeated no one really gave the Broncos a chance to win. They play in the inferior Western Athletic Conference and achieved their record of perfection against so-called “mid-major” schools. So, it was a classic “David and Goliath” contest and I wanted to see how David would do.
In short the Broncos played well, led the whole game and almost lost in the end. The game was won because of exciting play calls and execution, and because Boise State chose after the final touchdown to go for two extra points instead of safely kicking for a tie. I don’t think I have ever seen a more exciting finish to a football game.
It occurred to me that many of us today play life too safe. We go for the “tie” rather than going for the “win”. We go after jobs that pay the bills rather than work that gives expression to our gifts and passion. We settle in to boring and trivial conversations rather than engage in thoughtful exchanges of ideas and beliefs. We substitute taking risks with recreation or simulation games rather than take relational risks that involve us with messy people.
I was excited that Boise State went for two points and the win. In the moment I thought, “Even if they don’t make it, hurray for them for going for it.”
What if we fail? We if we fall down and feel a little pain or disappointment? What if someone else second-guesses us and calls us foolish? In 2007 let’s take our shot at Goliath and see what happens!
1 comment:
Hello Scott-
I saw this game also and wow what a game! Reminds me of a college game Doug Floutie played in college when he did the hail mary pass and won,... what an exciting game!
Larry Santi
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