There’s no way my mom wanted to eat alone right? I felt sorry for her, no kids around, all by herself every day on her lunch break. Poor mom.
So one Summer I kept her company. Together we ate and watched Days of Our Lives — quite possibly the worst thing that’s ever entered my brain through my eyeballs.
Roman Brady, the best of the good guys, fell off a cliff, the sort of thing certain to kill a man. But no. Roman later returned with amnesia, a different face and about six inches more height, and muscles too. Turned out Stefano Domero, the worst of the bad guys, had found an injured Roman, gave him a new face and new life.
Was Roman Stefano’s son? Was the new Roman a fake up to no good? Was Stefano keeping Roman alive so he could have the thrill of killing him again later?
Never again would I waste time on a soap opera. Until…
I found something my nine year-old loved to read: stories about football games. So every day I went to NFL.com looking for kid friendly articles about his favorite team the Steelers – which meant I did a lot of reading about football myself.
For the first time I started to understand the game – not just the rules, terminology and the names of players but also why some people love watching pro football: It’s a soap opera that keeps score.
I was hooked.
The NFL has villains. James Harrison of the Steelers was suspended this year for tackling quarterback Colt McCoy helmet-to-helmet. Harrison breaks the rules a lot. Then there’s the loose cannon Ndamukong Suh of the Lions, who stepped on a player after the play was over. There’s no shortage of villains – often self-proclaimed – in the NFL.
The NFL has good guys too. Drew Brees is as well known for his charity efforts to rebuild and inspire New Orleans since 2006 as he’s known for breaking passing records this year. Troy Polamalu of the Steelers and Brian Dawkins of the Broncos are both feared defenders on the field but regarded as gentle, quiet, humble Christian men in the league.
The media develops every star into a character – good guy or villain – and every game into a story.
Tim Tebow is a good guy, for example. He’s a missionary kid who grew up in the Philippines before moving to Florida. Though home schooled, Florida law allowed him to play sports for the public high school where he lead his team to a championship. Then he won two national championships in college and the Heisman trophy. He’s known for praising his teammates more than himself, never missing an opportunity to thank God publicly for his talent and the chance to play professional football, leading with optimism and encouragement rather than shouted threats, for being the first one at practice and the last one to go home.
That’s Tim Tebow the character.
His story? Tim Tebow is too big, too good at running, too inaccurate as a passer to play quarterback. He’s been told that since he was a kid. But somehow, at every level, he’s won games. It’s not pretty – the ball wobbles in the air, he doesn’t complete many of his passes – but he wins more often than not.
Every game is preceded by experts explaining why the Denver Broncos will lose. On paper? They should. But then they go and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers? The best defense in the NFL?
David slaying Goliath. Rocky toe-to-toe with Ivan Drago. Daniel Larusso craning Cobra Kai. Ronald Miller getting a date with Cindy Mancini. The little engine that could…
That’s a story I’ll tune in to watch. A melodrama with one-dimensional characters.
Who are you pulling for in the soap…I mean playoffs?
MJ says:
I’m not a football fan, take it or leave it, but just last night I told my husband that all of the NFL better pull behind players like Tebow, because players like that make watching football fun for everyone. Character and sportsmanship do penetrate their way through the television screen, from the field to the family room, hooking even the most unlikely viewer to tune in and cheer.
Will says:
Definitely pulling for my Broncos, sorry they had to beat your son’s Steelers!
Shaun Groves says:
Well we root for the team that beats our team so you’ve got the Groves family in your corner now ; )
Katie Axelson says:
I always root for the team that beats my team, too.
Katie
Cathy says:
I actually watched the last quarter and then the last play of that game last night. I felt a little bad for all of the Steelers fans. I’m not a huge football fan, but I too get drawn in when there are players like Tim Tebow with so much character that the world hates them for it. I cheered so loudly on that last play that I woke my sleeping son up. That is something that NEVER happens!
Jan Owen says:
I’m pulling for the Broncos cause I’m pulling for Tebow. It’s just good to see him succeed against all the naysayers. I love that he has such a strong witness for Christ and is very humble and is a hard worker. I love that when people say horribly ugly things about him, he answers with a blessing – over and over. I’m not sure I could do that! So yes, I love to see him succeed and be given a great platform to SHOW the love of Jesus. I too hollered my head off when they won yesterday!
Karen says:
I am a Packers fan myself, but honestly close games just stress me out! ๐ During football season I am stressed out a lot because games are always on in this house! ๐
I have been really amused at the broadcasters’ ‘addiction’ to the whole Tim Tebow thing. I have also been amazed at how polarizing this whole issue is for some! It’s crazy!
I am thrilled that TT seems to have kept his focus on God through it all….and that he is walking the talk off the field!
Amy @ My Friend Amy says:
It’s so true though! Even sports are more interesting by making them into a story, they do that with the Olympics as well.
I don’t watch much football and yet I still knew some of these things. ๐
And yeah there’s nothing like how unpredictable sports can be, it can be so exciting…..I learned that this past fall in the World Series. ๐
Lindsay says:
Since our beloved Colts are definitely out of the running this year (first time in a long, long time…), we’ve decided to stick with the Manning family and root for Eli and the Giants to win the NFC, and anyone but the Patriots (preferably Tim Tebow and the Broncos) to win the AFC. We will absolutely thrilled to watch that game yesterday. The ending was perfect!
Ironic that the first non-sudden-death overtime in the NFL Playoffs was about as sudden death as it could possibly be. ๐
And I love Tim Tebow as much as the next Christian, but you know that Demaryius Thomas had one singular thought as he ran with all of his might toward that end zone – Don’t leave this up to Tebow’s arm!
Thomas says:
I’m rooting for whoever plays against the Green Bay Packers.
Tim Tebow is not a quarterback. He is a tight end trying to play quarterback. The Broncos chances of winning a Superbowl with Tim Tebow playing quarterback are about the same chances the Chicago Cubs will ever win the World Series. The last time the Cubs won the World Series was in 1908.
Go Cubbies.
Thomas
Shaun Groves says:
Cubs? So sorry, Thomas. We all have our cross to carry ; )
Shelly Wildman says:
I haven’t paid a whole lot of attention to TT until these past couple of games (I’ve been too busy watching the Bears implode), but I’m a fan. Last night my husband said, “I wonder if God really IS getting a kick out of this Tim Tebow thing.” I think so.
Mela Kamin says:
Definitely watching. Born & raised in central Wis. – doubt I have to tell you I’m a die-hard Packers fan. We love football around here, even though I now live in enemy territory (MN). It makes for a great neighborhood rivalry, though. We cheered our heads off watching the Broncos beat the Steelers – love seeing the underdogs triumph. Would be pretty exciting if the Broncos made it to the Superbowl – I think it’s an incredible longshot, but will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Thomas D says:
You hit the nail right on the head Shaun with your analogy of pro-sports being the equivalent of men’s soap operas (I realize women can likewise be sports fanatics). But it’s primarily men who take the no holds barred attitude towards them, and or their favorite teams. Pro-“wrestling” made millions playing off the good guy, bad guy theme. Soap-opera’s play on the melodrama stuff, while sports play on the male bravado; and which guy (old or young) hasn’t imagined himself as the hero in the championship game? Personally I like both (did I just say that?). I grew up with a sports playing and minded father who encouraged me (but did not force me) to do the same. Though my inclinations were never to be the best; or the roughest and the toughest, simply just to enjoy the game and or time together, whether it was playing catch or hockey with my father, or football or various other sports and games with friends. I too watched soap-opera’s with my mom, and as a teenager as a sort of novelty. I guess the things grow on you as you watch them; which for husbands is probably not a bad way to get some brownie points with your wives.
Rachel says:
I heard Tebow threw for 316 yards… oooooohhhhh…John 3:16…oh and its Stefano Dimera not Demero. ๐
Melanie says:
I’ve been enjoying your blog for a few months now (found you via Ann Voskamp), but you just rose to a new level in my book: you referenced Can’t Buy Me Love. Nice. ๐
Kelli says:
*sigh* I have never been a fan of soap opera’s OR football but I now have an eight year old who also loves the game and who has suddenly turned into a walking sports almanac.
I don’t have a team. I usually root for the under dog, which makes Tim Tebow and his Broncos the team I want to watch. I find the whole obssession with him and his ability and his public faith so fascinating and strange to watch. I’ve never seen so many people root for someone to fail – and not just someone, but a young man of outstanding character both on and off the field. It’s very odd. And sad. But as for me and my house, we will root for Tim Tebow.
And if he doesn’t make it to the SuperBowl, I’ll still go to a party and watch and root for the under dog. Mainly because I like the hot wings and commercials. ๐
Michael Patterson says:
Shaun,
I used to be very interested in football, but I live in Seattle. Enough said. Mostly I don’t have time to be as interested as I used to be. Other things seem more important right not. I did get to watch most of the game yesterday and was really happy for TT & the Broncos.
I grew up being NOT a fan of the Steelers, but while on a plane to Los Angeles as a high school linebacker I found myself sitting right next to Jack Lambert – Pittsburg’s notorious middle linebacker back in the day. He was very nice to me and it was a great experience.
here’s a football story you will like:
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/article686074.ece
tamera says:
gotta pull for my SAINTS! i love tim tebow though, almost as much as drew brees!
Jenn says:
I used to watch Days of our Lives with my mom, too. I have way too much information from that show lodged in my brain.
We are not big NFL people (the unofficial religion of the South is college football, you know), but we do watch the playoffs every now and then. And being a former marching band nerd I have logged my share of football watching, and even I know that Tebow’s throws are simply awful! How else to explain it except the grace of God showing favor to make His name great? Or maybe it is simply dumb luck. I can’t say for sure, but it is fascinating to watch in a massive-teain-wreck-with-no-injuries sorta way.
Ron says:
The Bears.
Oh. Wait …
Zoรซ says:
Soap operas and sports = blank face. My husband and I both go a bit bananas over visiting historical sites and museums. Then everyone else gives us blank looks… God makes us all different lol. We both got quite excited telling someone at church the other day about the William Wilberforce Museum. Everyone should know about Wilberforce. He’s dead cool ๐
Colleen G. says:
Agh..My beloved Steel City team put this former Steel City gal to bed early the other night after their loss : ( BUT if the Steelers were to lose to anyone let it be to Tim Tebows team. I now hope he can now bring them all the way to the Superbowl!
But most likely I will still be wearing my Black & Gold on that day ; )
-Colleen G.
Lisa H says:
Broncos all the way!!! My husband and his family are from Denver, so really we love them win or lose…and Tebow is such a great added bonus!
Lisa K. says:
I was truly torn on Sunday. Love Troy and my Steelers but living in Florida and homeschoolers we were also rooting for Tim! So if anybody had to beat the Steelers, I’m glad it was the Broncos. So we’re rooting for the Broncos now:)
JavaJoy says:
Since I was on the couch anyway with a 3-day headache Sunday, I watched the entire game and I was so glad I did. I was even more glad that I knew who Tim Tebow was because of your recent post! I’m afraid that I have been quite ignorant of who’s who in football since the 1970’s when I knew all of the MN Viking’s names and positions as a child. I get a bad feeling whenever I see a Steelers uniform so I was happily rooting for the Broncos but I will be pulling for the Packers from now on ๐
Angie says:
KC girl loves her Chiefs.
Chiefs hate Broncos.
And yet, I find myself cheering for TT.
Miracles do happen.
keith says:
Packers.
Kim/Doodles says:
Cheesehead here.