One 'rule' that truly matters
NFL a prime example of how games are defined
For every game, there are rules.
In fact, what makes a game are the rules.
Someone may ask, have you ever played a given sport? And a person’s response may be, “No. What are the rules?”
Without the rules, a game would be a futile exercise.
For example, if a pitcher in Major League Baseball decided he wanted to pitch from 30 feet, three inches away from home plate, the batter would be at a decided disadvantage.
Because baseball carefully calculated a playing field of specific distances, the game became interesting and has thrived throughout many generations.
Football’s 100-yard playing field and basketball’s 94-foot court are other examples of how thoughtfully constructed rules define the competition and create specific training needs for athletes.
For the sake of discussion, we’ll stick with the National Football League for examples of rules.
If a football field was as wide as it is long, and if there were fewer players allowed on the field at one time, the sport would likely be nothing more than a battle of speed. By confining the athletes into a relatively small space, football requires not just speed, but strength.
It also requires skill, as players learn how to best operate within the confines of a standard space. Receivers practice sideline toe taps to utilize every inch of the playing surface. Quarterbacks learn how to zip fastballs into tiny spaces so defenders can’t bat them down or intercept them. Offenses disguise plays with motion and different formations while defenders blitz, play soft, cover tight or fake those things prior to the snap and do something else.
The rules are so important that some people are paid to roam around the field with jerseys that are different from either team. Their job is to make sure the rules are followed.
Oddly enough, the rules are never followed to a T. Sometimes it can be more accident than anything else — a defender unintentionally grabs a running back’s face mask, or a lineman moves from his set position prior to the snap. Sometimes players purposely break the rules, perhaps out of frustration or maybe because a 30-yard pass-interference penalty is better than giving up a touchdown.
The odd thing about any sport with officials is the assumption, prior to every single contest, that the rules will not be followed. Officials are there to enforce the rules, but sometimes they break the rules when their decisions are incorrect.
For example, scoring a touchdown and getting six points is a rule. But sometimes a team should not receive those six points. Here’s an example: Player A makes a diving attempt at a catch on fourth down. When he hits the ground, the ball eludes his grasp momentarily and hits the ground. The officials don’t see it clearly and rule a completed pass — which violates the rule defining a proper catch.
Team A hurries to the line of scrimmage and gets the next play off before Team B can see the replay clearly enough to challenge. Team A eventually goes on to score a late touchdown and eventually wins, 35-31.
Even though Team B found out the rules were broken, a time-based rule prevented it from seeking justice. It had only a few seconds to decide whether to risk challenging the play. So the crazy thing is one rule allows a broken rule if enough time passes.
Yes, I know it’s getting a little convoluted. But NFL fans accept all of these intertwined rules. Why? Because without the rules there is no game. And millions of people love the NFL.
The interesting thing is the result of any game is actually a collection of what rules were followed, what broken rules were corrected, and what broken rules were allowed to stand.
And it’s not only the on-field rules that matter. Teams must follow other rules like how many players they can have on their roster or how much they can pay those players.
Here’s another comical thing: All rules, especially in the NFL, are subject to change. Think about how cornerbacks used to manhandle receivers. It’s no wonder teams didn’t want to pass the football back in the day. These days, defenders almost have to let the receivers get open.
More points scored. More excitement. More fans. More money.
It’s safe to say the rules are what draw so many people into football stadiums to watch, and why so many folks will view the four playoff games on television this weekend.
Wait, you don’t think it’s because of the rules? Let there be one controversial call in any of those four games, and the wolves will howl until their voices give out.
Rules are everywhere, and perhaps that is why some people have trouble with Scripture. They may view the Bible as a book of rules that must be followed to avoid eternal punishment. But the truth is, Scripture has just one “rule,” and it’s not the golden one. In Romans 10:9-13, Scripture gives us the only game plan we will ever need:
“ … if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
It’s not the end, it’s the beginning. With confession and belief comes a new heart. The Holy Spirit enters and the desire to follow the words of Jesus is born. The struggle doesn’t end, but the destination is settled.