Sports 101

Ah, sports! It's Friday July 17, 2026 and the World Cup as we know it is over. Well, almost. Two games left to be played this weekend with another 104 in four years time.

The thing I love and hate about sports is the emotional price. My USA won a knockout round game against Bosnia Herzegovina then got thumped by a resurgent Belgium five days later. Highs and lows, lows and highs. It's a mystery.

My nervy team looked out of sorts from the kickoff against Belgium. Even from a thousand miles away, on tv, you could see it in their eyes. Almost like they carried the weight of the world. Even my keen attention and helpful pacing about the living room didn't help. The players were in over their heads, even if they didn't have to be. I can relate.

Sports are an allegory for life. But, unlike life, sports are just games. I played little league everything and kept on to college and beyond. And, if I'm truthful, I was a hothead. No referee ever made the right call against me. No loss wasn't unjust. No substitution wasn't personal. I was the kind of guy ref's hated to see and loved to T. Not very smart of me.

But it taught me a lesson. One I learned long after my playing days were over, unfortunately. It's just a game. The world kept turning even after one of those unjust losses. The sun came up and I breathed in and out just like it never happened. So, when my USA crashed out of the tournament long before any of us hoped, it was okay. I knew the players were gutted, but I didn't have to be. It's just a game.

Sure, that's a cliche as old as time. But it's true. In life the important things really mean something. Everything else? Nyeah. If the important things command your attention, should I say my attention?, then the machinery of life works. That's not to say I'm never disappointed, or don't make mistakes. Duh. But the umbrella of life keeps the sun off my neck and rain off my head when important things are important and frivolous things are frivolous.

I always encourage people to play sports. Be fans. Love the game. What it teaches about strength, of character, discipline, determination, are good lessons for every aspect of life. We should celebrate those good qualities. But, to paraphrase James 5:12, let your games be games and life, life.

Enjoy the last two game of the World Cup. Root for whoever and recognize the sacrifices everyone involved made to get there. Then remember it doesn't change much when all is said and done.

Be happy. Be blessed. Resist when you must (fiftyfifty.one).