It's the Game

Not the Goal but the Game,
Not the Victory but the Action,
In the Deed the Glory

So say the words etched on Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. So say the words etched in the minds of Nebraska fans world wide. If you search, you can find article after article that describes the general behavior of Nebraska fans, the "greatest football fans in the nation," and the encouragement that these fans give to opponents before, during, and after the game, even a game in which the opponent defeats the Huskers. Of course the Huskers want to win, and usually they do. But the thing they understand is that the process is as (or more) important than the final outcome. It's how you grow; it's how you develop the character that can turn you into a better person in the long run.

Anyway, the Homeschool Football League in North Carolina is based on the principle of taking these young boys and young men and encouraging their growth and development as Christian men and leaders. It is stated up front in the HFL web site that football is the means, the vehicle, and not the end result.

And that is why, in the game that our Youth Warriors had last night against the Youth Panthers of Greensboro, boys on both sides of the ball were knocking each other down, then picking each other up and saying, "Good job, nice play, great try," and then knocking each other down again.

There were no negative comments directed by players on either side to *anybody*: not to refs, not to opposing players, not to the coaches, not to parents, not to anybody. The parents on the sidelines are encouraging the players -- on both sides -- and building the players up. There is no showboating when a TD is scored. The player hands the ball to the ref and runs back to the huddle or to the sideline. There's no dancing, no massive celebration, no anything like that.

The teams pray together before the game, and we pray together after the game. We also say supportive, encouraging words to each other after the game.

Now, if you think for one moment that the HFL games are not fiercely competitive, you've got another thing coming. These boys work hard in practice; we do everything we can so that we play at the very best of our ability.

But the leadership in the HFL understands something that is lost on the leaders, coaches, and parents involved in most other leagues. Winning is not the end goal.

Using the practices and games to teach and instill confidence, leadership, encouragement, team-play, sportsmanship -- and all based on Christian principles -- is what it's about.

Don't we need more of that today?