Let's Hear It for The Next Man

     I did not grow up with football.
     Nobody in my family played, watched, or even knew the object of the game.
     My high school had a team, but, if my memory serves correctly, I don’t think the mighty Dragons won more than four or five games in the four years of my matriculation. With that kind of record, going to football games, at least back then, just didn’t seem like a priority.
     My college had a team. They even won the national championship before I transferred in, but while I was there, they played their games at a nearby high school stadium. I didn’t see the point.
     I was formally introduced to football at my first job in 1985. Everybody covered sports at the bi-weekly newspaper I worked at, and Calhoun, Georgia is football country.
     The sports editor explained the basics, enough for me to write a story, and off I went. The Yellow Jackets went to the playoffs that year, and think I ran every yard they did that year. It was a baptism by fire and life changing.
     I learned about downs, PATs, field goals and safeties. The editor explained who the quarterback and center were, and I figured out real fast to keep a copy of the team roster with me so that I would know who should get credit for scoring the winning touchdown. But that’s about all.
     I have no idea what a Wing T, Shotgun or Pistol formation looks like or why a coach uses them. Clueless.
     But this I know: Football is a playbook of spiritual lessons. I love that the offense is pressing toward the goal like Paul told the Philippians. When I see the quarterback calling a play, I see a warrior wearing the helmet of salvation, the shoulder pads of righteousness and the cleats of the gospel. That line of defenders is a cord of three, not easily broken.
     So, when I read this week the comments of Rhett McGowan, the fourth-on-the-depth chart, walk-on wide receiver who, due to an unheard-of series of injuries, now finds himself the starting split end for the Georgia Bulldogs, I read a faith story.
     McGowan is a senior, who has played in 28 games over the course of his career at UGA, but never as the go-to guy–until now. Now, McGowan is the man.
     "We hope those guys can get back as soon as possible," McGowan said in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But that’s what it is, it’s the next man up and we’re all ready. It’s a game week. There’s no time to waste. We’re playing an undefeated Missouri team that's very talented. The next man’s just got to step up and make plays when their number is called."
     McGowan used those terms, “next man” and “step up” repeatedly in the interview. His reaction to the injured players? “It’s terrible. You feel awful for them, first off. They’ve worked so hard in the off season….But, like I said, it’s part of the game and the next man has got to be ready to step up.”
     McGowan goes on to talk about the importance of preparation and experience.
     He succinctly and accurately describes what true followers of God know:
     This life we’re living is about teamwork, and our requirement is to be prepared to help the team. When a teammate is down, our job is to step up, to be the next man.
     Paul said we’re in a battle, and we have to be ready. Why? You never know when you might be called up to take the lead, to score some points or take the ball and run with it. I want to be ready.