The Holy Huddle: Sports Figures, The Hunger Games, and Sociological Terminology

Last updated on: May 16, 2012 at 10:00 am by Doug Hankins

The Holy Huddle: Sports Figures, The Hunger Games, and Sociological Terminology 2012-05-16T10:00:42-06:00 Doug Hankins

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Each week in The Holy Huddle, Doug Hankins takes a look at the goings on of the sports world from a distinctly Christian perspective.

As with any job, being a professional sports athlete requires a separation between personal and professional perspectives. Failing to do so, results in the professional side suffering due to personal troubles. In the past month, the sports world has tuned in to a soap opera of professional/personal balance that centers on the statements of three actors.

Metta World Peace, Forward, Los Angeles Lakers

As if elbowing James Harden in the cranium was not enough, Mr. World Peace literally added insult to injury. When asked if he would reconcile with Harden in the upcoming playoff contest, MWP brashly told reporters, “I don’t shake substitutes’ hands,” referring to Harden’s role as first man off the bench of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA team. This personal opinion was given as a professional statement—and the twitterverse went crazy with buzz.

Josh Beckett, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

Mr. Beckett recently skipped a game due to injury and then played golf the next day. When asked to account for his actions and whether he feels a sense of guilt, Mr. Beckett gave the following personal opinion:

Not on my off day . . . We get 18 off days a year. I think we deserve a little time to ourselves.

Accordingly, fans and reporters (who help to pay his $16 million/year salary) were outraged and vocal in their frustration.

Ron Brown, Assistant Coach, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Mr. Brown made headlines in April when he attended an Omaha City Council hearing to oppose an ordinance protecting gay and lesbian citizens from discrimination. During his three-minute plea, Mr. Brown asked with the council to remember the “great accountability for the decision you are making.” The only problem with Mr. Brown’s personal plea is that he listed Memorial Stadium, the location where the state-funded University of Nebraska football team plays its home games, as his residence. Nebraska athletic director and legendary retired head coach Tom Osborne briefly commented on Mr. Brown’s actions saying, “I think it’s important that there be clarity with what you do in your capacity at the university and what you do as a private citizen.” In light of this professional faux pas, Mr. Brown quickly apologized.

Commentary and Conclusion

These three case studies highlight the double edged nature of celebrity. A public figure’s job is perceived as their master status. Thus, any time athletes, or any other professionals for that matter, act and speak publicly, they represent and speak for their organizations whether they intend to or not. The reason is simple: Fans have difficulty separating the professional and personal in the modern world of reality television and 24-hour news cycles. Call it the Katniss Principle, as thedailybeast.com writer Glyniss MacNicol has defined it:

Unlike those of us who agonize over the ever-shifting privacy concerns of social-media sites like Facebook, Katniss is not only constantly aware of the public gaze, but is so reconciled to its realities that is does not even merit any sort of reflection. Instead she quickly learns to adjust her behavior to take as much advantage of her public persona as she can . . .

Whether he intended to or not, MWP spoke for the Los Angeles Lakers organization: Lakers’ starters don’t shake hands with substitutes. When Josh Beckett skipped a start and played golf, he acted as a symbol for the Boston Red Sox organization. And when Mr. Brown spoke out against homosexuality in favor of the Bible, he did so as a mouthpiece for the University of Nebraska. I am not suggesting that MWP, Mr. Beckett, or Coach Brown change their beliefs. I am merely suggesting those in public positions use caution in the delicate responsibility they have to represent the interests of their organizations.

So the question arises, “How should Christian public figures balance private views and public engagement?”

I suggest that Christian public figures adopt three disciplines:

Remember the wise words that one of my coaching friends tells his players, “Words you write (public) come back to bite. Words in the air (private) stay there.”
Frame any public remarks with the phrase, “In my personal, and not professional, opinion.”
Verbally acknowledge awareness of any diverse interests of the organization you represent. This will counter the “narrow-minded” label from objectors.

Previous Post

May 16, 2012

What Memes Mean: Ian and Larissa

Next Post

May 17, 2012 Eat Your Vegetables: "Being John Malkovich," Being Puppets Without Strings

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Asides Elsewhere Featured Film Games General Culture Headline Literature Music Of the Moment Podcast Politics RetroPost Sports Technology Television Uncategorized Viral

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz