For Kiffin though it doesn’t really matter, in the end offering a scholarship and giving an actual scholarship are two different things. If the kid turns out to be the real deal, then USC will have the first shot at him.  If he doesn’t then it is easy for USC to walk away and just say they thought it was in good fun.  Kiffin may not be liked by many, but you have to respect the fact that he is better than Mike Kryzewski of Duke at getting free publicity.

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It will be interesting to see what transpires over the next few days.  There has been more talk about this commercial than there has of the game, which is fine by me.  I hope that they tie (even though that is not possible for all of you non-sport people).

Oh and by the way I hope you enjoy the picture that is with this post because it is a picture of the Nicaraguan children who received the New England Patriot Champion t-shirts.  In other words the shirts the Patriots would have worn if they had actually won.

All these practices have the same concept underlying each of them:  meditation.  In order to achieve their potential, each player must go above and beyond to unlock those areas of talent that are, until that point, hidden.  It’s working hard even when one feels like kicking back and watching Sportscenter.  Matt Birk, Baltimore Ravens center, explains the grind of studying through the notorious NFL playbook:

“This is my 10th year in the league, and I still take my playbook home. Because the defenses are always changing, too. They’re always giving different looks. It’s kind of like a cat-and-mouse game between the offense and defense. That’s why football, I think, is a great game. Very few guys can get by on just talent.”

And this guy went to Harvard!  He brings up an excellent point as well.  The end result is not just to be better in and of yourself, but to have an edge over the enemy, which in football is the opponent.  If Birk isn’t on his game, he is liable to get dominated by a defensive tackle on a stunt move.  He always needs to be aware of his schemes, lest he become vulnerable at the most important times.

I think about these athletes and how seriously they train to become the best in the game.  Shouldn’t we, as Christians, be striving for the same thing?  Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy 4:7-10:

“Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

Just as in sports, Christianity requires training – reading God’s Word, praying without ceasing, filling our minds with pure thoughts.  Paul says that all this is not in vain.  We are to receive the prize of glory at the end of our struggle.  That is one end to which sports will not provide.  In sowing godliness in this present age, we will reap the privilege of seeing Jesus face to face one day.  And about enemies:  Paul asserts in Ephesians 6 that our war is not against the tangible things of this world – people or governments.  No, our war is against the principalities that stand in opposition to the Word of God.  The Bible talks about the devil prowling around like a lion, ready to devour.

Paul endlessly speaks on “standing firm” in the faith.  That’s our call.  And it comes through daily meditation on the good things of God.  One final note:  Unlike an athlete, we will never arrive, so to speak, in this life.  God has far greater plans for his sons and daughters.  He gives us this promise in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

These questions may be answered in the next few days.  Phoenix is trying to entice Nash, especially with the signing of Grant Hill.  Also, the Suns open some cap space with the dumping of Shaquille O’Neal’s salary and the buyout of Ben Wallace’s contract.  These moves also raise big man questions because the Suns don’t have any.  Looking at championship teams the past 1o years, only the 2008-2009 Lakers didn’t have a dominate presence down low.  Nash will have to contemplate these questions and others, as the summer begins to wind down.