An Athlete's Responsibility
Sunday, 29. November 2009, 18:24:43
I love BYU football. Since I married Richard, I've begun to enjoy televised sports again. BYU football is one of my favorites. (Utah Jazz basketball, too.) I also enjoy watching the University of Utah football team. Yesterday the two teams played in their yearly "archrival shoot-out." It wasn't a pretty game, but the defense for both teams played well. I was glad to see BYU win in overtime.
Afterward, however, the well-heralded quarterback for BYU had some scathing comments about the University of Utah football program. (Opera won't let me add a link to my text, so here's the link: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=272&sid=8836725).
I am extremely disappointed in Mr. Hall's attitude. Football is a GAME, for heaven's sake! In the overall scheme of things, when we stand before our Maker, I seriously doubt He will ask "What was your favorite football game/team?" I don't know for certain, but I rather suspect He will be more interested in how we treated our fellow man and whether or not we obeyed the commandments He gave us on this earth.
Mr. Hall may have legitimate gripes with the fans of the U. of U. Apparently, at last year's game at the U. of U., his family received some pretty shabby treatment at the hands of some of the fans. I can certainly understand his concerns, even his anger, about that episode. But to paint all of the fans of this university with the same brush as those who behaved abominably demonstrates an immaturity that, frankly, surprises me from a senior quarterback and chronologically-mature young man.
Mr. Hall may say that he's entitled to speak his mind. According to our Constitution, he is correct. However, I would suggest that he consider the long-term results of his comments, especially in the hearts and minds of the children who admire him and wish to emulate him. In my opinion, a public figure has a responsibility to weigh his words carefully in a public forum. I feel that Max Hall did NOT do this. In my opinion, he let down the BYU fans and offended many, many University of Utah fans who certainly did NOT deserve his diatribe.
Shame on you, Max. I expected better of you.
Afterward, however, the well-heralded quarterback for BYU had some scathing comments about the University of Utah football program. (Opera won't let me add a link to my text, so here's the link: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=272&sid=8836725).
I am extremely disappointed in Mr. Hall's attitude. Football is a GAME, for heaven's sake! In the overall scheme of things, when we stand before our Maker, I seriously doubt He will ask "What was your favorite football game/team?" I don't know for certain, but I rather suspect He will be more interested in how we treated our fellow man and whether or not we obeyed the commandments He gave us on this earth.
Mr. Hall may have legitimate gripes with the fans of the U. of U. Apparently, at last year's game at the U. of U., his family received some pretty shabby treatment at the hands of some of the fans. I can certainly understand his concerns, even his anger, about that episode. But to paint all of the fans of this university with the same brush as those who behaved abominably demonstrates an immaturity that, frankly, surprises me from a senior quarterback and chronologically-mature young man.
Mr. Hall may say that he's entitled to speak his mind. According to our Constitution, he is correct. However, I would suggest that he consider the long-term results of his comments, especially in the hearts and minds of the children who admire him and wish to emulate him. In my opinion, a public figure has a responsibility to weigh his words carefully in a public forum. I feel that Max Hall did NOT do this. In my opinion, he let down the BYU fans and offended many, many University of Utah fans who certainly did NOT deserve his diatribe.
Shame on you, Max. I expected better of you.
WIDGETIZE