Lessons in Leadership: The Importance of The Table, Thank you, Aaron Rodgers

One of my favorite stories from the summer involves a conversation that I did not have with Aaron Rodgers at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. After a brilliant shot out of the woods, the Jets' quarterback's walked up the fairway until he came to his ball. As he waited for his turn to play, he stood behind a bunker ready to get it onto the green. Respectful of his personal space, fans stood several feet behind and around him, including me.

It was totally quiet. I broke the silence when I asked him, "Can we talk about Hard Knocks?" He didn't nod or concede.  He didn't even pretend to hear. I know he did. 

I said, "that scene when you encourage the other quarterbacks to have lunch with different members of the team. I loved that. I told my students about it. I think it's great advice."

Rodgers shifted his weight, kept his eyes on the hole in front of him and said "It was good advice." And then he turned to make eye contact with me. "Thanks for saying that. Thank you."

Thank you, Aaron. In fact, I think this is information for schools and students, teachers and teams to hear and to remember. In the midst of a lot of change at St. Ignatius College Prep, it is something I am working hard to facilitate and formulate. The purpose of this post is to offer than reminder.

In Episode One of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets, number eight said: "Find a conversation at lunchtime with somebody new, don’t always sit in the same little group. Get to know your teammates a little bit. That’s part of the leadership role." I agree.

For one, anyone can eat a meal with a friend or a familiar teammate. But how often do we sit with someone we don't know...or know yet? It can be a risk. It requires putting aside our natural desire to be with "our people." But Rodgers was speaking to the other QBs as team leaders. He was offering a simple, tactile suggestion for how they might lead. Build a bridge. Share a meal and maybe a story, too.

Second, I don't take for granted that anyone is willing to sit down and break bread with another person period. The work place and our home life is so busy, quite often we eat on the run. But this is not good for our bodies or our souls. We need to sit down and slow down. And the table is a good place to make sure this happens.

But this year at St. Ignatius College Prep, where I work and teach, this choice isn't a given. How? Why? Our building is under construction. There is no faculty dining room. While we have a faculty lounge, the space is not conducive to sitting at table or sharing a meal. This fact actually kept me up at night. I thought to myself "this remodel means two years where faculty are without a lunch room. I don't want to be in a school community where everyone eats in their classroom or their office." Rodgers' message prompted me to seek a solution.

As I wrote in Magnanimity and More: Lessons for the New School Year from Pope Francis and Hard Knocks

Those of us involved in Jesuit education believe that "education happens at tables." In Sports and Spirituality, my seniors quite literally sit at tables. At SI, where I teach, we encourage faculty to eat with one another because we learn about other students, our coursework, we disclose our challenges and laugh a whole lot over a meal. And most importantly, we gather at the Eucharistic table for the Mass as an entire school community throughout the year. We begin the year with Mass of the Holy Spirit and conclude it with the Transition Liturgy. The Holy sacrifice of the mass commemorates one of the most important meals in Jesus' lives. So too, it plays an role in our formation, our identity and more.

This teaching is repeated at the beginning of the school year—serving as a wonderful reminder of who we are and what we do. It is an image that all can carry and remember, understand and pass on. I never want it to ring hollow. And yet, I knew the loss of the faculty dining room meant that it might. Where could teachers go for lunch? How might we even sit with someone new let alone have a conversation to get to know others without a table on which to share a meal? 

My colleague Maria and I went to the faculty lounge and took a quick inventory. Inside this room we found four different tables with a mismatch of oversized chairs—none all that conducive to dining. One table was balanced by a stack of detention slips. Another one served as the dumping ground for everything from DVDs to last week's croissants. We cleaned up and cleared out. I knew the task was imminent. According to the New York Times article "How to Make New Friends," I had all of three weeks to get the job done.

One veteran teacher said "You need faculty buy in. Ask other teachers what they want. " We did. Three teachers rearranged the couches. Buildings and Grounds brought in a set of smaller chairs and put five to a table. People started commenting on the change of the energy in that room. "It's so much better! People show up! They sit and stay." We have tried to keep this space clear of packages and the plastic paper trays teachers no longer want or need. It's a work in progress—but it's the work of the Office of Adult Spirituality. Maybe we are the QBs.... I like that. I also like that it's not perfect or brand new. We have made the most of what we have and it's good. That's ground for all of us to sow the seeds of community.

As you enter this new year, consider: How might you invite others to your lunch table? With whom might you strike up a new conversation? How will you lead? What might you learn?

Photo Credits
Cigar
Hard Knocks

Seeking, Serenity and a Super Bowl Ring: Lessons from AirPods, Jason Kelce and More

After three months, I found what I had been missing: my AirPods. I stopped looking for them about two weeks after I realized they were gone. I went through every last jacket, vest, sweatshirt and pair of pants I own. I reviewed the suspecting and unsuspecting places, but that small white jewel case was no where to be found. Given then I had already lost a) one charging case and b) a complete set, I decided as much as I wanted another pair, a third purchase was not meant to be. I figured if Aaron Rodgers was cool enough to wear the wired headset, so could I. Yes, the actual AirPods are much better, but I committed to move on and let it go. I did.

That is, until last Saturday when I found what went missing. I was dusting under a chair in my room and much to my chagrin, my eyes caught sight of my AirPods. They were alive and kicking. At that moment, my sister called and I told her what I recovered. "I love that feeling!" she said. I replied, "that which was lost has been found." No, this is not the story of the prodigal son but much like it, I think there is a valuable lesson in here, too. 

In the Matthew 7:7-9, Christ the Teacher imparts the following advice when it comes to prayer. Jesus says, 

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

I will speak for myself, I have repeated those words over and over in my life—personally, prayerfully, professionally. I have made a great career of seeking—but not always finding. And still, I pray. I pray to St. Anthony; I bargain with him. I pray for wisdom. I pray for patience— especially with myself. 

In Kelce, Amazon's popular documentary featuring the elder Kelce brother, Jason—I found a kindred spirit. I realized the Eagles center and I have something in common—he shares my plight of losing and looking.  Fast forward to the 10 minute mark, and you will see Jason looking for his Super Bowl LII ring.

He says, "If I were a Super Bowl ring, where would I be?  This is how I usually look. I start moving stuff....That didn't work right there."

His wife Kylie, looks as though she has seen this search more than once. She said, "He reads the defense very very well and calls protections very effectively. He'll go out there and see everything on a football field, but he cannot find his keys if they're in his pockets."

Jason takes the camera person into another room. He says, "This is what it's supposed to be in. This is the box they give you so you're not doing this. It has the confetti from the game, but not the ring." He adds, "I did take it golfing...I think." 

Kylie asks, "You checked your golf bag?"

The viewer is not privy to when, if or how Jason finds his ring. To me however, this scene embodies a lesson my spiritual director offered me long ago.

Turns out New Heights, Kelce's podcast reveals where/how Jason found his ring.

She asked me to call to mind:  What I do see. What do I notice? What is important that I pay attention to? How does that line of sight or vision help me do what matters to me—teach, love others, care for my friends, write well, etc.?

Then, she asked me what it would me to accept my limitations and shortcomings—my humanity. She said, "maybe it's okay for some things to be lost." She was both encouraging me to let things go, but she also suggested that I let things come to me. I see the story of my AirPods as a metaphor for that way of proceeding.

Life seems to be a very tender balance of seeking ...of finding and letting ourselves be found. We must ask ourselves, What can we let go of? What can we find? What can we replace? In what way can we replace it? I don't have the answer to these questions, because they are for each one of us to determine and to bring to prayer.

I shared this story entire story with my students. Several of them told me they had lost three, even five sets of AirPods. I showed that clip of Kelce to the mom's group at school. They  howled in laughter at Jason (the husband) seeking and not finding and Kylie (the wife) looking from afar. It struck very close to home. Therefore, let us remember to pray the words Matthew's Gospel and add our own....maybe the Serenity Prayer is a good place to start.

Photo Credits
Rodgers
Kelce
Prayer

The Question that Haunts Every Sports Fan: Why Do I Care?

I ask myself some iteration of this question on a regular basis. Why do I care? As a sports fan, this question haunts me. Should I care? Why should I care?  Do I care? Do I know how to not care? Maybe this resonates with you, too.

It is so much easier not to care. Why? Caring asks something of us. It means we put our feelings on the line. It means we will have emotional highs and despondent lows. Caring means we take both the good with the bad. Still, I've lived long enough to know life isn't fair. Caring is an equal opportunity endeavor.

One could argue there are causes, people, and events worth caring about. Others, not so much. I don't disagree. Poverty, child abuse, a just immigration policy, the environment—all imminent, vital, real world problems, real time causes—each one worth caring about. Notre Dame's loss to Ohio State, Will Aaron Rodgers return to football? or Should the Giants fire both their manager and GM? No lives lost. No threats to world peace and yet these weigh in heavy on my care-o-meter. I don't know that I have enough in me to determine how much I should care about caring! However, I have found that caring about someone and something has served taught me quite a bit about myself, what I value and why. Keep caring. Here are a few thoughts on why...

Rodgers took flak for his old school headphones.

This past week, I started what I knew would be a very long work day with an early morning workout. I go to the gym from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. I hop on the treadmill for 10 minutes and then lift for 45. I try to stretch for five before I head out the door. However, within that 45 minutes of weight training, I know that usually 5 to 10 of them are accounted for by talking to friends and folks who are among the morning crew. These interactions buoy my spirits. I love checking in with others and getting their hot takes on last night's game, their progress on the no fat challenge and more. 

While they are not something that I ever considered "a given" these conversations aren't as organic or spontaneous as they once were.  Why? headphones. So many people are dialed into their music or podcast, that I have to make more effort to get another person's attention. Don't get me wrong, I know that many people workout to clear their head /enact some self care, but we share space. Are we not in this together...even when we are alone? I think I have to work on accepting an a new answer: clearly we are not. Furthermore,  instead of a simple exchange of words between reps, one must pause, pull out their ear pods, and listen. I feel like I am inconveniencing someone in just trying to connect. I think connection is important. It's the first step toward building a relationship, one that can become a friendship. We all need those!

Headphones are not and won't go away. I know that some people will remove them, but I do care about what's being lost. Should I?

Even after the loss, the team joins the student body in singing the Alma Mater.

I can't help but care because I fear how much more inside of ourselves we have become as a society. I don't know if I'm better by closing myself off to others. Again, I understand that some people need to be inside themselves in order to be present at other times, but at what cost?

Half way through that workout, one man was spotting his friend when he buckled and nearly dropped the weight. He yelled out "Jesus F***ing Christ!" It was a scary moment. I turned to make sure he was okay and saw that no one in the gym reacted. People around them didn't even flinch, and this didn't sit well with me. Again—Why? Why do I care? 

It's a bad habit and I'm not going to say I haven't done it—but taking the Lord's name in vain goes against God's commands. I value this commandment. I believe to honor someone or something is to respect their name. God's name is holy and worth reverence. The inclusion of the expletive is and was just too much...but that was coupled by the fact no one checked to see if this man was okay because they were dialed into their headphones. Something's off...

I left the gym and headed to work. On my way into the main building, I took note of just how many students were wearing headphones. I've always believed "Good Morning" is one of the easiest things to say to another person. To me, it's energizing. Even when I don't want to, when I acknowledge the presence of another person by greeting them with the day, I swear there's an endorphin release. Headphones or not, there are always people for whom the day is not good. But minus those ear buds, there's a much better chance we will catch what's worth hearing. Maybe I'm wrong.

This morning, I woke up with an emotional hangover. As a Notre Dame football fan, I have been here MANY times. I also know, I will be here again. And yet, none of this rational thinking lessens the blow. Nor does my question: Why do I care? Should I? How can I not care?

Caring for someone or something is a step toward love, real love. To care for another person takes time. It is rooted in relationship. We care most deeply for the people and places that matter to us, to whom we are connected. To live a life devoid of caring is safe and its secure. For some people and at sometimes, that might be necessary. However, for most of us who we are and what we value is revealed in moments like these.

SO for what it's worth: Thank you to the University of Notre Dame, Coach Freeman and the football team for putting up such a fight. Thank you for being a program that I am proud to support. You played SO tough (from the mouth of Coach Day). I wanted this win for the program and to continue what has already been a great season. It was an exciting game and we have other big ones yet to play. Thank you for giving me so much to care about.

Photo Credits
Team
Coaches
Headphones
OSU Wins

Magnanimity and More: Lessons for the New School Year from Pope Francis and Hard Knocks

Is September the other January? Do you find yourself saying "Happy New Year" to teachers and students? On her podcast "Happier" Gretchen Rubin shared that some teachers begin the school year with noisemakers and party hats for their students. While you won't find any banners, hats or confetti in my classroom, I have celebrated the new year by showing a few scenes from Hard Knocks Training Camp with the New York Jets.

In preparation for a new season and a new team, Aaron Rodgers is doing what he can to be a positive team leader, teammate and mentor. In Episode Two, he showed up at a team meeting wearing a black and white trucker hat inscribed with the same words he told his fellow QBs at the conclusion of practice (as seen here). Those words, that message resonate with one the Pope Francis. They are worth further reflection as we commence this school year.  

In 2013, the Holy Father met with Italian and Albanian students enrolled in Jesuit schools. While he prepared a formal speech (for publication) he went off script and spoke with these young people, answering their questions and engaging in dialogue (the transcription is also included). Both missives are important and inspiring.

He wrote,

In following what St Ignatius teaches us, the main element at school is to learn to be magnanimous. Magnanimity: this virtue of the great and the small (Non coerceri maximo contineri minimo, divinum est), which always makes us look at the horizon. What does being magnanimous mean? It means having a great heart, having greatness of mind; it means having great ideals, the wish to do great things to respond to what God asks of us. Hence also, for this very reason, to do well the routine things of every day and all the daily actions, tasks, meetings with people; doing the little everyday things with a great heart open to God and to others. It is therefore important to cultivate human formation with a view to magnanimity. School does not only broaden your intellectual dimension but also your human one. And I think that Jesuit schools take special care to develop human virtues: loyalty, respect, faithfulness and dedication

Magnanimity—the quality of being magnanimous. The virtue of great and small. How invitational. How practical. How relevant! We can't do the great things, the big things all the time. We want to, we work toward a great heart and mind but it's not easy. It's challenging. Therefore, we must not forget the small things. The day to day tasks and details. Little things mean a lot.

To speak of magnanimity to anyone involved in sports is no stretch. Athletes are constantly working on routine, every day things to get faster and stronger, in order to achieve personal and team wide goals. They strive to be great. None of us get their alone; formation is necessary.

But Pope Francis' message wasn't about soccer or football. He wasn't speaking to swimmers or divers. Rather, if he was—all the better—but the Holy Father's message for students who are guided by a shared tradition and a common faith. And this is where Rodgers has it right.

The Offensive Coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett asks him to speak. Slight caught off guard he says,

Oh I got nothing for you man. I’m just happy to be out here. Excited to be with you guys. All I’m going to say is that this camp is a long camp, right? Let’s just enjoy the little things every single day. Take time to laugh a little bit. Find a conversation at lunchtime with somebody new, don’t always sit in the same little group. Get to know your teammates a little bit. That’s part of the leadership role. And just enjoy the little moments. It goes by fast, and then you get to be really old and gray, and savoring every little moment. So savor them right now, right? Qs on 3, 1-2-3 Qs!”

Number eight starts with appreciation and joy. He looks to the horizon—acknowledging that it's not quick, nor easy. His message is to take each day as a gift. He suggests that humor requires slowing down. I love his recommendation: to talk to somebody new over a meal. Get out of your routine. Move beyond your safe space. Why? Because as leaders, they ought to model that for the good of others.  

This brief message inspired me to think of a personal challenge I have for myself at the advent of this new year. I too am going to make a point of having lunch with new colleagues. In the faculty dining room, it is all too easy to sit with the same group. In fact, I've seen others and I myself have jockeyed to be sure that I am a part of "x" table group. However, this year—call it a resolution or not—I want to let that go. I have a hunch that I will be a better, more well rounded and potentially kinder colleague if I employ this practice.

Those of us involved in Jesuit education believe that "education happens at tables." In Sports and Spirituality, my seniors quite literally sit at tables. At SI, where I teach, we encourage faculty to eat with one another because we learn about other students, our coursework, we disclose our challenges and laugh a whole lot over a meal. And most importantly, we gather at the Eucharistic table for the Mass as an entire school community throughout the year. We begin the year with Mass of the Holy Spirit and conclude it with the Transition Liturgy. The Holy sacrifice of the mass commemorates one of the most important meals in Jesus' lives. So too, it plays an role in our formation, our identity and more. This year, I will pray we grow in magnanimity.

Whether your seek to cherish the little things everyday or eat lunch with someone different, I hope this new year, new season offers opportunities and ways to grow magnanimous. Magnanimity on three!

Photo Credits
Team Meeting
Hat
Little Things

Five Thoughts from Hard Knocks: The Jets 2023 Opener

Now in it's 17th season, HBO's Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets has taken flight. Though college football seems to have met a lot of turbulence, this NFL's season is ready for take off. 

Producers of the show must be thrilled with the addition of the future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. For Jets fans, between the defect from Green Bay and plenty of youthful talent, there's so much to be excited about and reasons to remain hopeful. I offer but five observations from the season opener and look forward to what the show, and the season reveal. J-E-T-S.... Jets! Jets! Jets!

1. From the Flight Deck
Every season opens with the head coach offering a motivational speech, a unconventional cry to "wake up the echoes" and set the tone for the season. The Jets—veterans, rookies, coaches and those trying to make the team—are together in the film room. It's obvious they aren't sure where Coach Saleh is taking them when encourages them to take out their pens or pencils and reveals what brought him into deep thought. 

He names the only bird that can take down an eagle is the crow. After all, who wants to identify with a crow? #gross.

Instead, Saleh addresses what the eagle must do to prevail: climb higher and higher. He asks, 

What are you doing to find that little bit more to get us closer to being a great team...

You finish practice: Now what? You finish meetings: Now what? You finish lifting... a rep...

And if we come together and challenge ourselves to do a little bit more—everyday. The crows will fall by themselves. Let's embrace what we are capable of. Let's embrace that we're not the same Jets. 

Saleh made a good point. I love that question of "Now what?" It would have been better if the Jets were...well....the Eagles.

2. Fun vs. Fundamentals
Much like his teammates, I too am obsessed with Aaron Rodgers ability to throw the no-look pass. His talent only makes me wonder how good #8 must be on the basketball court. 

Rodgers mentors Zach Wilson, the QB the Jets took as the second pick in the 2021 NFL. As noted, it must be hard to be brought in as the new face of an organization only to be replaced by a legend. Regardless, from the looks of it, Rodgers and Wilson work well together. Especially in one of  two areas: fun and fundamentals.

Schreiber said "Today's lesson: no look passes are fun. Avoiding sacks? Fundamental." I love the distinction. Coaches, take note. Players, pay attention. Let's pronounce and practice both.

3. Pylon Game
Every coach and every athlete cannot and should not forget: keep training fun. This is essential as the hours are many, and the days are long. Fun need not be a mindset, it can be practiced and played through games. Enter in the pylon game. So basic, so simple, and so on point. QBs need to hit a target. Why not make it a pylon, points included. 

The psychological piece keeps it spicy. Noted.

4. DeMarcus Ware
One of the great joys in life is to be surprised by the gifts and talents of a friend or teammate—off the field.

A tradition at St. Ignatius College Prep was FML: Friday Morning Liturgy at 8:00 a.m. in Orradre Chapel. Many sports teams attended mass together during the season, before a big game, etc. In the fall, the football team sat together in shirt and tie every Friday, without fail.

I can still see the reactions of the squad, when one of their teammates Danny, came to the microphone. The fact that Danny had a great voice wasn't surprising, No. It's just that he was that good. 

He sang the lyrics for "Jesus Give Us Your Peace" solo. He invited the congregation to join in the refrain, which was easy to do. His teammates could not WAIT to contribute. He was confident and sharing his talent truly made mass better—more prayerful, more joyful, all of it.

Before the Jets scrimmage against the Browns, NFL Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware takes the stage to sing the national anthem. Everyone is surprised. Where did that come from?! Does Ware have a Hall of Fame voice? Not really. Does he sing a tough song well. He does. Just another reason to respect the man.

Congrats DeMarcus.

5. That which does not disappoint.
If you're like me, you have a few people you can turn to to discuss your excitement and anticipation for Hard Knocks. Always my go-to girl, Haley said, "I can't wait for the music and Liev Schreiber." The "Voice of God" arrives via helicopter. It's overstated, yet Schreiber totally rolls with it.... and that bass line from  "Voices Inside My Head" by The Police keeps it going.

Indeed both the music and the narration are masterful. The usage of creative, often contemporary music only highlights what is taking place on the field. For example, the interview with Coach Saleh is Hard Knocks at its best when set to the music of Ed Sheeran.

He's asked: Aaron Rogers: What has be brought to your team?

Saleh: He's obviously the best Quarterback I've ever had on the team.

Press play on Sheeran's hit "Shivers."  The lyrics, the beat, capture what words cannot.

Back to Saleh: Everyone is chasing the top tier QB because they change teams, they change locker rooms. 

It's just so good. Hard Knocks—you don't disappoint.

In Conclusion
The Voice of God (in case you haven't figured it out by now, Liev Schreiber) said that 

Training camp is about getting better. Part of that process is discovering who you are...

Some teams can't handle the glare of bright lights, but a Future hall of Famer is leading these Jets, showing them the way and the young roster is responding.

I have questions that have yet to be answered: Is Rodgers just acting, or is he really this type of a teammate? Will I end up making the Jets my AFC team? Will Saleh succeed? 

From both the offensive and defensive Rookies of the Year: Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner to a dynamic coaching staff and a roster that has yet to be set, it's great to have an inside look into what motivates a team, the importance of leadership, how individuals can make a difference, why we love this beautiful, violent, demanding, team sport. 

Enjoy the show. I look forward to the soundtrack.

Photo Credits
Hard Knocks logo
Coach Saleh
Zach and crew
Liev and Aaron
Aaron sidelines

20 for 2020: Number 15—Who is a Future Host of Jeopardy?

With all due respect to Korean baseball and the Bundesliga, sports in short supply led my parents to channel their love for competition elsewhere. I'm not sure why it took a pandemic for them to latch on to Jeopardy, but like so many Americans, they did and they love it (notice the present tense). Because I have been in their bubble since the beginning of COVID, I joined their bandwagon, this bandwagon. And our love for the late Alex Trebeck is what is driving #15 on my 20 for 2020.
Category: Leaders of the Pac(k).
Clue: Aaron Rodgers.
Answer: Who is a future host of Jeopardy and the 2020-2021 NFC MVP?

On Saturday evening, I joined in my parents' now nightly routine and watched what was Trebeck's final episode of Jeopardy (recorded months prior). The Canadian-born American, who hosted the show for 36 years  died of pancreatic cancer at his home November 8, 2020. He was 80.

News of Trebek's death sent celebrities and fans around the country to social media to express their grief—including an athlete who led his team to the NFC Championship game, #12 for the Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers.

As many football fans already know, Rodgers was a contestant on Celebrity Jeopardy in 2015—and a winning one at that! As written in Packers' Aaron Rodgers to guest host Jeopardy!, the All-Pro QB said, "the show has been so special to me over the years. It’s been a staple at my house here in Green Bay for the last 16 years 6 o’clock, watching Alex and trying to get as many questions as I can. When the opportunity came up in 2015, that was a dream come true. It really was. To be on there, to get to meet Alex was just such a special moment. We’re all obviously sad about his passing.”

Football fans will have to wait until the day before Super Bowl LV to find out if Rodgers will be honored as the NFC MVP for the third time. And, they will also have to wait to find when and if he will host "What is America's most popular game show?"

As written in The Guardian, 

Rodgers first made the announcement earlier on Tuesday during an appearance on Sirius XM’s The Pat McAfee Show. A representative from Jeopardy! declined comment and said no announcement has been made about future guest hosts. 

“I may have jumped the gun a little bit, so I apologize to Jeopardy! if they wanted to announce it,” Rodgers said. “I just got so excited on the show earlier. It kind of just went down the last couple of days, us figuring it out. It is very exciting. It’s for the offseason. We’ll be even more excited when that opportunity gets a little closer.” 

“We all have so much love and affection I think for what [Trebek’s] meant to just that half hour, that 22 minutes of our lives on a daily basis for those of us who are big fans of the show,” Rodgers said. “To be able to be a guest host is really, really special for me. I can’t wait for the opportunity.”

The show is currently using a series of interim hosts to replace Alex Trebek, all the while knowing that no one can nor will replace who Jesuit Father Joseph McShane called "a brilliant man who is the nation's schoolteacher."  According to America magazine, McShane said, "He teaches us about how to live each day with purpose, with focus, with determination, with love, and without being obsessed with oneself." 

Reading about Trebek in this light illuminated just how much he shares in common with professional athletes. They too live each day with purpose, focus, and determination. If only more of them could become less obsessed with themselves and look at the gifts, talents and knowledge of others....even if it is trivial. That's what love is and love does. 

So grateful—during these hard times—for shows like Jeopardy who help us yell, laugh, and say Wow...

Clues: Merci Alex Trebek! and Allez Aaron! 
Answer: Who are respective MVPs in their line of work?

Photo Credits
Alex and Aaron
Rodgers
Remembering Trebek

Spirituality of Siblings in Sports

Today my mom reminded me—again— that she has already made a reservation for brunch on Mother's Day. This is not a day to miss....or else. In the United States both Mother's and Father's Day have cultural weight and I appreciate that it does. On the other hand, I was unsure of the significance of National Siblings' Day—that is, until I visited the National Day Calendar—a fun and festive resource. I found this day's history to be quite meaningful.

National Siblings Day was founded by native New Yorker, Claudia Evart in 1995 to honor and celebrate siblings.  After losing her two siblings early in life in separate accidents, she knew how important siblings could be in our lives. 

Good, bad or otherwise, this is so true! There is a spirituality of siblings; I have not thought enough about what that might be. Our brother(s) and sister(s) are sometimes our best friends or our worst enemies. At times, siblings will provide us with our biggest competition, strongest encouragement and remind us of our most embarrassing moments. No wonder sports is a paradigm where we can learn about, celebrate and appreciate siblings. 

Sports—every one of them—is peppered with stories of siblings to play against and with one another. Male or female, older and younger, twins, even mirror twins color the wide world of sport. Many athletes credit their success to the role their sibling has played in their life. I have often wondered if you have Serena without Venus and vice versa.

The National Day Calendar post offered creative ways to observe this non-holiday. It said,  "Spend some time with your sibling(s). Enjoy looking at photos and videos of time spent with them. Use #NationalSiblingsDay to post on social media." And if I can throw in my two cents, I would say teach about great ones in the history of the Church, the United States and sports. As a teacher, I figured why not bring the topic of siblings into the curriculum. No better place for that than in Sports and Spirituality.

Reggie and Cheryl Miller

Upon completing my lesson on "Biographical Theology: how God works through Humanity," I put the challenge toward my students to make a case for a dynamic duo: siblings in sports. Their presentation would be judged on 

1. creativity 
2. uniqueness of personal story
3. degree of cultural and athletic significance

This criteria eliminated likely suspects including the Peyton and Eli Manning and Venus and Serena Williams. A number of other duos were considered—Jim and John Harbaugh, JJ, Derek and TJ Watt but the following six groupings were featured.

• Reggie and Cheryl Miller
• Lyle and Miles Thompson
• Kevin Price and Jerome Boatang
• Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin
• The Morris Twins: Markieff and Marcus
• Aaron and Jordan Rodgers

Although my personal preference was for the brother and sister combo of Reggie and Cheryl Miller, the Rodgers emerged as the winners. I think they excelled in the creative category.

Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin

Catholic Social Teaching proclaims the value of the human family. The "Call to Family Community and Participation" states

The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society—in economics  and politics, in law and policy—directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community.  Marriage and the family are the central  social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We  believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking  together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and  vulnerable.   

I truly believe this key principle ought to name and recognize the significance of siblings and their measure on family life. Each one is a blessing. Many children do not have siblings; they are not to be taken for granted. The death of a sibling, at any age is a profound loss for they share so much more than a common gene pool. Each one is a reflection of the majesty of God's creation—both sacred and social.

Lyle and Miles Thompson

I hope to expand on this lesson next April when I will celebrate National Siblings Day with appreciation, gusto....a little sport and a lot of spirituality.

Photo Credits
Rodgers
Griffins
Thompson
Millers

What I've Learned from Pro-Athletes and My Pastor....

Although you can place a bet on who will win the tourney, most patrons—including yours truly—anticipate the American Century Golf Classic for the remarkable setting, the 17th hole antics, the list of celebrities and the chance to interact with them. Indeed, the four-day event is a sports fan's paradise. One can get up close and personal with former MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA and tennis greats. We fans don our team colors, jeer at the enemy—no matter how long ago the rivalry took place—and marvel at the height, fitness, athleticism of the players...or what's left of it. But, what keeps me talking about this mid-summer classic, weeks, months and years later, isn't who won and by how many strokes (ok some women in my group do...Mark Mulder is now a three-time champion). Nor is it the planned and unplanned shenanigans, although I have to admit a few are highly entertaining. No, it's the human touch. It's what happens when the people we admire and appreciate connect with one another and with us. And, I've noticed, once you have you make a point to find "a little of that human touch," you'll see it everywhere.

How's that? It shouldn't be a surprise that sports fans arrive at this tourney with memorabilia, hungry to get it signed by some high-profile athletes (in recent years, that includes Steph Curry, Andre Igoudala, Aaron Rodgers, etc). However, fans are prohibited from bringing in

• Sports Memorabilia or Collectibles (jerseys must be worn or they will be confiscated)
• Baseballs, Basketballs, Footballs or Hockey Pucks

Consequently, most fans seek out an opportunity to take a photo or selfie, an autograph on what they are wearing and/or shake their hand. Typically, the fan initiates the encounter; I am impressed by how gracious and engaging the celebrities are with the men, women, teens, and kids who come their way. This outreach, however, is not always a one-way street. My crew has a few stories but Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young comes to mind.

So I'm just a little big of a fan of this group...Tim Brown ND '87 and 49er legends Steve Young and Jerry Rice

When I see the lefty, my mind feasts on memories of Young to Rice for a touchdown...for a win...for the Super Bowl championship. Young loves playing in the tourney with Jerry Rice and another NFL friend or former foe. This is an easy group for fans to follow, especially Bay Area brethren, as they are spirited and enjoy one another's company.

It's not an understatement to say that being a great QB requires astute vision. I saw that in action beyond the football field at the tourney when Steve Young caught sight of a 10-year old boy on crutches among the throng of fans. He looked at this young man with this gaze that indicated he had been there before...he understood what it meant to break a bone...to be injured...to be less mobile and in pain. Young initiated the contact and extended that human touch. He put his arm on the boy's shoulder. I don't know what they talked about...I don't need to. The heart understands. And as Steve Young walked away, this boy's smile said even more. I think some internal healing took place.

I was reminded of this small act of kindness just Sunday at mass when I sat behind a man whose foot is in a sophisticated cast and boot. He too walked into Church on crutches and sought out a pew that allowed for easy access and space for his leg. I realized taking communion might be difficult for him. It wasn't. When the time came for the congregation to line up. the pastor left the front of the line to bring the Eucharist to an elderly couple sitting toward the back. They are rather immobile—no matter. Father Ken brought Christ to them....and then he offered Jesus' body to the man sitting in front of me...and to another elderly person. In fact, he does this at every Mass, I just needed to connect the dots. This simple act isn't difficult to do. It requires vision and perhaps some empathy, but what happens in the process of extending a little of that human touch is some sort of healing.

What that each of us were to go out of our way for the elderly or injured? What if we were to reach out to those who are broken and in need of healing first? What if we made time for the immobile and those in pain by simply extending a little human touch. And it's not the sole responsibility of the pastor of a parish or a pro-athlete (although it is—as we look to their example). No, this is a call for all Christians. Such actions are what the Gospel proclaims and reveals: it is in the giving that we receive....in serving we are served. Let us all in these divisive times, make some gesture of outreach to one another. 

Photo Credits
Great 3 man group