God's Coaching #299

God's Coaching #299

Yelling at a referee is never a good idea. Coaches tell their young players not to complain about a call. But on this day in 2010, a player in an adult British soccer league did more than complain about a bad call—he drove his car onto the soccer field and at the referee!

When 28-year-old Joseph Rimmer thought he was fouled in the game’s 60th minute, he shouted at the referee to give him a free kick. Instead the ref said to play on. Joseph didn’t continue playing; he just started screaming at the referee. The ref quickly awarded the other team a free kick. And when the referee was about to give Joseph a red card, he left the field, climbed into his Range Rover, and drove the car onto the field. As players ran off the field, Joseph drove in circles and threatened the referee. After a few minutes of chaos, the game was canceled and Joseph was arrested.

What’s the Score?

Joseph was not only disqualified from playing in the league, but he also had his driver’s license taken away for a year. At James’s trial, a judge in England sentenced him to 24 weeks in prison.

Sports can bring out the best and the worst in a person. It brought out the worst in Joseph. He let his anger rule his actions. Joseph could have let his perceived injustice go after he was fouled. Instead he screamed, threatened the referee, and acted like a fool. The Bible says to control your temper. When you get angry, it’s easy for that anger to escalate. You would probably never jump on your bike and ride it at the referee, but when you complain about the referee, you lose your focus on the game. When you’re playing sports, concentrate on your game—not on what the referee is doing.

On the Ball

Showing your anger on the playing field makes you look like a fool. Treat your opponents and the referee with respect. Then you’ll be able to play your best.

Coach’s Comment

Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:9