College football coaches are responsible for leading young men, preparing them for life, and winning games. They're the faces of their universities and the elite coaches are also the faces of their sport. Unfortunately, this week we saw two of the top coaches and National Championship winners have a public feud that wasn’t a good look for anyone and revealed a lot. Head coaches, Nick Saban, from Alabama, and Jimbo Fisher from Texas A&M used to be on the same coaching staff, so there's a long history between the two. They're both highly competitive and have been trying to navigate the changes to college football in recent years - especially with name, image, and likeness. The ability for college athletes to benefit from NIL has affected recruiting in a big way and, of course, recruiting is critical to the success of college football head coaches. However, there are a lot of gray areas and a lack of clarity on how programs are or should be utilizing NIL. This week's conflict was stirred up when Nick Saban was speaking to a group of Alabama boosters and supporters. In explaining his thoughts on NIL he brought up Texas A&M by saying, “I mean, we were second in recruiting last year. (Texas) A&M was first. A&M bought every player on their team. Made a deal for name, image, and likeness. We didn’t buy one player, aight.” Saban has since publicly apologized, but apparently, Jimbo Fisher didn’t appreciate what Saban said and isn’t interested in talking to Saban. However, he was willing to respond with his thoughts, which included multiple insults during a press conference. You’ve most likely already heard what he said, but here are a few quotes: "It's despicable that a reputable head coach can come out and say this when he doesn’t get his way or things don’t go his way.” “You can call me anything you want to call me. You ain’t calling me a cheat. I don’t cheat, and I don’t lie.” “Go talk to coaches who coached for him. You’ll find out all the parity. Go dig into wherever he’s been. You’ll find out anything.” All of this has caused college football to erupt with fans, media, and other coaches weighing in. Everyone can pick sides, but ultimately this situation comes down to coaches talking badly about each other and their programs. Some might call what both of them said slander, gossip, defamatory, personal, or even truthful, but again, this isn’t a good look for either head coach and they should be held to a higher standard. However, I do think this is an opportunity for us to consider how we handle similar, yet much less public, situations when we're tempted to talk badly about someone else. It may not always be extremely hurtful, but how often do we share something negative or mean about someone? We may try and justify what we say, but it really comes from a place of competitiveness or jealousy or past pain and we attempt to make ourselves look better at the expense of saying something derogatory about someone else. As easy as it is to do, especially, behind someone's back, as followers of Jesus we are called to a much higher standard and this is not a good look for us. The Bible is very clear about how we should speak. Titus 3:2 (NLT) explains, “They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.” Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Colossians 3:8 (ESV) give us this challenge: “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” Proverbs 16:28 (AMP) tells us, “A perverse man spreads strife, And one who gossips separates intimate friends.” We have to learn to catch ourselves and be aware that if what we’re about to say regarding another person isn’t uplifting or beneficial, then we must hold back our words. Proverbs 13:3 (ESV) teaches, “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” Psalm 34:13-14 (ESV) implores us to “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 2:1 (ESV) makes this appeal: “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” As we grow in our faith and understanding of what it means to show the same love and grace Jesus has shown us, we’ll be able to avoid the traps of slander, gossip, and foolish talk. It takes practice, discipline, and a heart that’s been transformed by Jesus. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the hurtful things I've said about other people. I pray You'd give me the self-control to hold back from saying things that aren't uplifting or beneficial. I pray I'd be known for my kindness, love, and grace. Thank you for Your kindness, love, and grace. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What are the situations where you find yourself talking badly about other people?
In what ways have you learned to bite your tongue or hold back from saying hurtful things?
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