Wednesday, July 18, 2007
What is wrong with America – the Michael Vick case
I am a self-described sports fan, who listens to ESPN radio on a regular basis. I am sometimes asked by people whether, as a theologian and a Christian, I should dedicate so much of my brain to useless topics like who was the starting noseguard for the Denver Broncos in the last super bowl they lost (Greg Kragen) or who hit the game-winning walk-off homerun in the 7th game of the 1960 World Series (Bill Mazerowski).
While they have a point perhaps on the general element of wasting too much time and energy on sports – which is after all a diversion – part of the reason I do pay so much attention is that sports is often the safer place where the struggles of America are played out – where our best is seen (Cal Ripken and Jackie Robinson) and our worst is seen (the fall of boxing in America ending with Mike Tyson trying to eat Evander Holyfield). Which brings us to Michael Vick.
