When reality gets crossed...

Even as a child I knew that when I was watching a professional wrestling match that it was athletic theater, popularly defined these days as "Sports Entertainment." The competitors who faced off in the squared circle certainly knew how to entertain an audience with every move, and every storyline was designed to keep up enthralled. Many men even call it their very own soap opera, with anticipation of each dramatic episode keeping them on the edge of their seats. That said, there are those times in which those in attendance, and sometimes at home, believe that they are as much a part of the action as those who compete. Just go onto any blog site whenever an episode of WWE's "Monday Night Raw" has concluded, and you will read the opinions of many an armchair booker (booker is a term for someone who writes the wrestling storylines) who thinks they can create a better story, if only they had the chance. The vitriol becomes so intense that it turns into personal attacks, and people confuse fantasy with reality.

This confusion took place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on Sunday when WWE wrestler Roman Reigns was attacked by a fan during his match. According to police, the fan used a gold-plated briefcase to throw it into the ring, hitting Reigns in the process. Fortunately no one was hurt and Reigns was able to finish the match, but the fan was removed from the arena and as a result was banned from all future wrestling shows.

Although the fan issued an apology and no charges were filed, what is interesting to note is that when other fans saw the briefcase, they chanted for the man to throw the briefcase in the ring. This is a symptom of a larger problem, in which people tend to listen to the voice of what's popular as opposed to what is right. I often tell my students what is mentioned in Proverbs 1:10 "My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!"


Go back to a time in which you listened to the wrong people, and the resulting consequences of those actions. What if you had decided "You know what? Thanks but no thanks," to the people who tried to steer you in the wrong direction? Are you listening to those voices even today? Innovation is not saying yes to every idea that comes along, but it's being able to say "No." It shows focus and determination to do what is best, and is a benchmark of maturity.

However, I'd have to question the maturity of a man who decided to spend his time painting a briefcase gold in the first place...

The Sports Fans' Declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

This is the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence, which was the document that eventually led to the United States of America becoming their own union as they declared independence from Great Britain. Tomorrow we will all celebrate the Fourth of July to commemorate our nation's birthday. While we take in the fireworks, the hot dogs, and overload on beverages, let's take a moment to reflect on what the meaning of independence is all about. It's about saying that you are ready to be your own person, to grow with a level of freedom we've never experienced before.

That stated, we as sports fans need to make a declaration as to it pertains to what we have a right to. The following are the truths that we should hold to be self-evident. Tired of your favorite team treating you as if you don't matter? Here's a declaration that outlines what you have a right to do as a sports fan:

1) We declare the right to hold our favorite teams and owners accountable if they are expecting us to pay outrageous prices but not willing to put a winning product on the field, diamond, court, or ice. I'm looking at you, NBA teams that intentionally tank for a higher draft pick.

2) We have a right to let our dollars speak elsewhere, this especially goes for alumni of collegiate programs that are not doing right by the students. This is what the athletic director at University of Alabama-Birmingham tried to do in attempting to eliminate football. First and foremost, every attempt should be made to give the students an opportunity to live out their dreams, and not make it strictly a dollars/cents issue.

3) We have a right to let our voices be heard and disagree of the organization's direction, provided it is respectful. Too often local media becomes nothing more than P.R. pieces for the organization, as I experience often living near the Washington, D.C. area. Fans deserve the right to a voice that is not afraid to call out the owners/GMs when they make questionable decisions.

4) We have a right to call out the athletes if they make poor choices, on and off the field. We can judge righteous judgment (John 7:24) as long as we don't call them out by their name, or insult their families. Fans, leave the kids out of it!

5) We have a right to support another organization if the one we currently support does not intend to create a winning culture but focuses more on how much they can gouge the fans out of their money.

Declare your independence today, and have a Happy 4th of July!