This past Sunday we enjoyed one of the best Super Bowls in recent history. The game was masterfully played by two incredible teams and it really seemed like whoever ended up with the ball last would be the winner of the game. The offenses were as exciting as expected with 73 combined points being scored. However, that doesn't mean the defenses were non-existent - both teams had great defensive strategy and every point scored required real grit and determination. At the end of the day, just like I assumed, the last team with the ball was the winning team. But the story is a little more dramatic than that.
With less than two minutes to go in the 4th quarter, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes handed the pall off to Jerick McKinnon, who could have easily scored, but instead he purposefully slid down at the 1 yard line, allowing the Chiefs to run the clock down before kicking the winning field goal, leaving the Eagles virtually no time on the clock to try and even the score or win the game. Had McKinnon scored, the Eagles would have had ample time to make that attempt.
You have to know that Jerick McKinnon, like every kid who grew up playing the game, has always dreamed of scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl. To do so would have given him a story to tell his children's children. but instead, McKinnon slid down at the 1 yard line because for a true team player, the name on the front of your jersey is more important than the name on the back of your jersey!
Do we approach life and ministry that way? Do we make it about the team? Do we make it about everyone winning and not just our own personal accomplishments? We must not forget that there are times when winning means sliding down at the 1 yard line!
