Mark McGwire gives thanks to “the man upstairs” as he confesses his steroid use, Tiger Woods is publicly urged to find Jesus—but that’s just the tip of the iceberg, or the football, as the case may be, when it comes to the link between sports and evangelical Christianity.
Whether it’s Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Vick, or, more recently, Tiger Woods, the confession is the key to repairing moral failure in the world of sports.
Was Fox News commentator Brit Hume merely demonstrating Christian chauvinism when he recommended that Tiger Woods convert to Christianity? Or are there deeper levels of ignorance to be plumbed here?
Tiger Woods has admitted being serially unfaithful to his wife. What does this have to do with religion? Try the themes of transgression, confession, and the institution of marriage.
The Atlanta Falcons, defenders of the Georgia Dome, “fought, harassed, stuffed, smothered, and smacked” their way to victory last week. What is it about football that brings out such primal intensity in its fans?
