God's Coaching #15

God's Coaching #15

Trivia question: What popular children’s toy inspired the name of the biggest single-day sporting event in the United States? Answer: the Super Ball.

It’s true. When the NFL was trying to decide the name of its championship game, Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt said the game should be called the “Super Bowl.” He’d recently seen his kids playing with a Super Ball, and he liked the name. Until that point, NFL experts say the game was going to be called “The Big One.” But when Lamar said “Super Bowl,” the name stuck. And it’s a good thing. Can you imagine saying, “Who won the Big One XLV?” That would sound weird. It’s much cooler to say, “Who won Super Bowl 45?” The answer to either question is the Green Bay Packers.

Do you know who won the first Super Bowl? The answer is again . . . the Green Bay Packers. The Packers beat Lamar’s Kansas City Chiefs 35–10. The game was close at halftime as Green Bay entered intermission ahead 14–10. But the Packers scored 21 second-half points to run away with the game.

What’s the Score?

Green Bay easily won the first Super Bowl thanks to the unlikely efforts of Max McGee. Max had caught only four passes all season, yet he caught seven passes for two touchdowns in the Super Bowl. Packers quarterback Bart Starr completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards (138 yards just to Max) to be named Most Valuable Player.

Max was an unlikely hero, just like the Super Bowl name came from an unlikely source. The Bible says that God uses things that seem foolish at first: “God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Just because you have an idea that you think is silly, don’t be afraid to share it. God can use you to make a difference. Just imagine what would’ve happened if Lamar didn’t share his foolish idea about the Super Bowl. (By the way, Lamar’s kids’ Super Ball was put on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.)

On the Ball

Don’t be afraid to say something you believe just because other people may think it’s foolish. God can use a seemingly silly idea to change the world. And he uses people of all ages to do his work.

Coach’s Comment

God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 1 Corinthians 1:27