Coach John Harbaugh dances along with his staff after their huge win over the Houston Texans after which after reads scripture to the media.
This got here simply someday after his brother Jim Harbaugh made a shock look on the pro-life march in Washington, D.C.
Gotta love the… pic.twitter.com/OVQppyRCs4
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 21, 2024
Another time.
For years, Bobby Ross, Jr., and I’ve written a lot of posts about religion-shaped holes in mainstream sports activities protection. Apparently, only a few GetReligion readers had been on this subject (versus, let’s say, the American viewers for a primary NFL recreation).
However we soldiered on. This brings me — one final time — to a curious case examine involving my Baltimore Ravens (who’re nonetheless within the Tremendous Bowl hunt, at this level).
Not too long ago, a commentator on one of many dozens of NFL commentary reveals requested an fascinating query: Why don’t we discuss extra in regards to the ongoing success of John Harbaugh, the Ravens head coach since 2008? Nobody had a great reply.
However I’ll ask a associated query: After the Raven’s 34-20 playoff victory over the Houston Texans, which video clip was simpler to search out? The one (a) with Harbaugh exhibiting his dad-style dancing strikes within the joyful locker room or the one (b) by which he opened his press convention, with a really severe tone of voice, with a favourite Bible quote?
Click on these Google hyperlinks and you will note that, as soon as once more, the position that Christian religion (Catholic, to be particular) performs within the life and work of this future Corridor of Fame coach is a “conservative” information story. Interval. The viral dancing strikes are way more vital.
Which ingredient of those two parts of Harbaugh’s persona is crucial in his life and work? Probably the most correct reply is “BOTH.”
Nonetheless, I believe that Harbaugh would say that his religion is extra vital.
Jesus is Lord 🙏. Nicely accomplished Coach! pic.twitter.com/pNipAMdGR0
— HitDr (@CoachCahill) January 21, 2024
This brings me to the purpose that Ross and I’ve tried to make in regards to the faith-shaped gap in most sports activities information protection (and Clemente Lisi has famous this in international soccer protection, as nicely). We aren’t stating that it’s routinely information when sports activities personalities speak about their religion. It’s new once they persistently cite their religion as a vital issue how and why they do what they do of their profession and life.
On this case, Fox Information (naturally) went with the fundamental details: “Ravens head coach John Harbaugh recites Bible verse to open press convention after playoff win.”
The Christian-market Sports activities Spectrum web site famous:
All eyes had been on Harbaugh as he celebrated the win by dancing within the locker room, but he started his postgame press convention not by pointing to himself, and even to his staff, however to God and His Phrase.
“That is one thing that was stated to me earlier than the sport, and it simply was significant to me, so I’m gonna share it with you as a result of I feel it’s the proper factor to do,” Harbaugh stated. “It’s a verse (from 1 Chronicles 29:11, ERV): ‘Greatness, energy, glory, victory, and honor belong to you, as a result of every thing in heaven and on earth belongs to you. The dominion belongs to you, Lord. You’re the head, the Ruler over every thing.’
“There’s an incredible spirit on this staff, and I simply wish to give honor and glory the place it’s due.”
Probably the most fascinating phrase in that, for me, is highlighted right here: “That is one thing that was stated to me earlier than the sport …”
When? By whom? Privately? To the staff?
In the meantime, learn this function — “The Ravens’ historic dominance, and what different coaches can study from John Harbaugh” — by the wonderful staff at The Athletic and attempt to discover a single trace that Harbaugh’s persona and ability set would possibly, indirectly, be influenced, even to a small diploma, by his Christian beliefs.
NBC edited out Houston QB CJ Stroud's reward of Jesus Christ of their post-game interview posted to X.
Why did @SNFonNBC take away Stroud saying "In the beginning, I simply wish to give all glory and reward to my Lord, Jesus Christ." https://t.co/gmmmn2HeFT pic.twitter.com/H2R7qzVGGO
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 17, 2024
I’ll finish this sermon by noting that, bBefore Harbaugh did that factor that he did, I had already began a analysis file on one other NFL case examine linked to the sideline feedback of one of many league’s quickest rising superstars.
To dig into this case, readers must seek for these phrases — “C.J. Stroud,” Texans, Browns, “Jesus.”
Sure, there was the standard Fox Information headline: “NBC faces backlash as Texans’ CJ Stroud’s Jesus point out lower from social media clip.”
Nonetheless, this time round there was additionally a narrative at Sports activities Illustrated, a beleaguered publication that could also be in search of extra Heartland readers today. Right here is that double-decker headline:
NBC Going through Social Media Warmth For ‘Censoring’ C.J. Stroud After Win vs. Browns
NBC elected to chop C.J. Stroud’s postgame interview after the Wild Card spherical brief on Sunday for social media
Listed below are the fundamental details about why this controversial modifying of the “J-word” ended up going viral in social media.
It’s protected to say that this was attributable to curiosity from (a) NFL followers, (b) spiritual viewers and (c) each.
… (As) one can think about, following such a convincing win, Stroud’s feelings had been working excessive. And in consequence, he gave a passionate postgame interview with NBC’s Sunday Evening Soccer.
“Initially, I simply wish to give all glory and reward to my lord and savior, Jesus Christ,” Stroud stated. “I imply, it’s been wonderful being on this metropolis for as brief as I’ve been however the love that I’ve received. I’ve actually simply been doing it for Houston, man. The individuals again residence, I’m blessed sufficient to be within the place that I’m in and blessed sufficient to be taking part in at a excessive stage proper now. We gotta simply preserve it going, however I’m tremendous blessed.”
Fairly customary interview proper? Nicely, perhaps not for NBC.
Upon sharing the interview on social media, NBC oddly elected to chop Stroud’s feedback brief, eradicating his spiritual feedback originally.
As at all times, the essential phrase is “each.” Nobody is saying that journalists must splash ink at any time when athletes speak about God. The difficulty is whether or not it’s out of bounds if and once they do. Is spiritual religion actually that unhealthy, that worrying, that “icky” for elite sports activities journalists?
Simply asking. One final time.
FIRST IMAGE: Picture of John Harbaugh, with Bible quote, drawn from the X feed of Sports activities Spectrum.
