Posted on 02/02/2014 3:11:01 PM PST by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
There is a longstanding Super Bowl tradition among Las Vegas bookmakers to offer the gambling public various esoteric betting propositions.
Among Super Bowl XLVIII props for which sports books in Sin City have posted odds is whether announcers mention “marijuana” during the game, whether any member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be shirtless during their Super Bowl performance and whether Erin Andrews will interview Seattle Seahawks corner Richard Sherman live after the game.
But there’s a prop for which Vegas bookmakers didn’t bother to post odds – whether there will be any mention whatsoever that the quarterbacks of both the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks are unabashed Christians during the practically all-day televised coverage of the Super Bowl.
That’s because even the most gullible gamblers would avoid this sucker bet, no matter how generous the odds.
Because, while it was perfectly acceptable for CBS to allow the mass marriage of homosexual couples of its live telecast of this year’s Grammy Awards, while no one is giving ABC grief for having lesbian activist Ellen Degeneres host this year’s Academy Awards, FOX doesn’t want to risk anti-Christian blowback by letting the more than 100 million viewers of today’s Super Bowl know the role Christ plays in the lives of both Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
“I committed my life to Christ,” affirmed Manning, in his self-titled book, “and that faith has been most important to me ever since.”
Does the Denver Broncos’ signal caller pray for God’s divine intervention on the gridiron? No, he said, “except as a generic thing. I pray to keep both teams injury free and, personally, that I use whatever talent I have to the best of my ability.”
As to whether the Almighty has a rooting interest in the Super Bowl or any other NFL tilt, “I don’t think God really cares about who wins football games,” said Manning, “except as winning might influence the character of some person or group.”
Wilson, the Seahawks’ man behind center, recently testified at Seattle’s Mars Hill church that Christ has been with him in bad times and good.
“When we are at the worst times of our lives,” he said, “when we are battling with something, or struggles, whatever it may be…we want somebody to comfort us”
Or, he continued, “when things are going really well, we want somebody to … be there for us and say, ‘Well done.’
That’s Jesus, said Wilson, unashamed of the Gospel. “Jesus has always been there,” he said, “He’ll never leave you, never forsake you.”
Manning and Wilson are espousing a message of faith all too often mocked by the popular culture; scorned by the socially-correct.
Indeed, Christian athletes like Manning and Wilson don’t get invited to the president’s State of the Union address to sit next to the First Lady. That putative honor is reserved for jocks like Jason Collins, the pro basketballer feted last week for coming out as a homosexual.
Neither Manning nor Wilson appear in any way desirous of presidential plaudits.
For these Super Bowl QBs, these Christian athletes, are informed by the Scripture, which declares, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”
I remember Bart Starr who was MVP of the first two super bowls, was a Sunday School teacher.
How do we know Peyton Manning doesn't?
I bet the Broncos miss Tim Tebow now.
What does that mean?
Like!
Do you know Peyton? That is a ridiculous thing for you to say.
God is that you????
I like Tebow, but I doubt at this moment in time that ANYONE is thinking about Tebow.
Whether an athlete or celebrity is a believer in Christ is between that person and God. We set ourselves up for disappointment and embarrassment when we set them up on a pedestal and risk a great fall.
43 years of the Mannings as little gods, ya get to know something about them.
Jealously is unbecoming and not at all conservative.
Not a jealous bone in my body. The Manning’s are what the Manning’s are.
But what are they, specifically? I'm asking sincerely, and not as a particular fan of either (the Panthers are my team).
Unless you know them personally (do you?), I don't see how you can accuse Peyton of not living his Christianity. You just don't know.
Perhaps, but what about this supposed gay marriage ceremony to be performed during halftime?
Is that not an Abomination and a slap to the face of God?
This is football and the Super Bowl. I'd just as soon not hear of anyone's political or christian affiliation today...........
There comes a time when one has to separate themselves from their addiction to news, politics and religion and just sit back and enjoy life for a change..............sheesh!
Tebow curse? I can’t explain the inability to execute or get in the game for the Bronocs. They’re not in it like Seattle. Interceptions and fumbles, oh my!
Tebow curse? I can’t explain the inability to execute or get in the game for the Bronocs. They’re not in it like Seattle. Interceptions and fumbles, oh my!
Don't know if it happened offscreen, but it wasn't on the TV coverage, nor has it been mentioned. We only saw Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
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