Faith and March Madness

I read an article yesterday about Dr. James Naismith, the creator of the game of basketball.  I didn't know that Naismith was a minister and that the motivation for creating the game was to give young men a physical activity that was based on strength, skill and good sportsmanship.  He believed that people could learn about Christianity and be reached for Jesus Christ through exercise and physical activity.  One of his original thirteen rules of basketball was this: "No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent.  The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game."

I don't think there is any doubt that top-level basketball players are some of the greatest athletes on the planet.  And clearly March Madness is a huge event -- even the President of the United States filled out brackets!  The game is entertaining and a cash-cow.  I had a relative who got the contract to the do all the printing for the Final Four several years ago -- good gig!

I just wonder what Dr. James Naismith would say about it if he were alive today.  Like most of us, I think he would be entertained and enjoy the athleticism.  But do you think Koby Bryant or LeBron James or even Jimmer Fridette know that the roots of the game are in helping people come to Jesus?  Maybe instead of praying about our brackets we should spend some time praying for the players and coaches.