With Super Bowl week upon us, we're still blown away and surprised that the Cincinnati Bengals are in the Super Bowl! How did they get there and what is their secret to success?
What jumps out to me the most about the Cincinnati Bengals is how their team is being described as "unselfish" and "selfless."
In life, that type of attitude is uncommon to see lived out, and in sports, a team that embraces this kind of approach from the top-down is especially hard to find.
But with the Bengals, their locker room appears to be on the same page when it comes to being team-focused rather than self-seeking.
Current broadcaster and Hall of Fame coach, Tony Dungy, confirmed this by tweeting, “I’m in Cincinnati today interviewing players & coaches for NBC’s Super Bowl broadcast. It's been amazing to see the energy in the city surrounding the Bengals. So many of the players like Tee Higgins have talked about 'unselfishness' as being the key to their turnaround.”
Bengals QB, Joe Burrow, shared this about his team's multiple playmakers (including Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon):
"Everyone knows how good they are as players, but not everyone knows how good they are as people...really unselfish guys that don't care who gets the shine."
Also, former NFL cornerback, DeAngelo Hall, explained on NFL Network that head coach Zac Taylor isn't only leading an unselfish team, but is an example of a selfless leader.
Hall said, “You know the thing that’s really impressed me most about Zac Taylor is really his selflessness. When you think about the way he leads this football team, it’s not about him, it’s not about taking credit or getting credit, and I think you see that in the way the team rallies behind him, rallies behind everyone in that locker room. To me when you have that kinda dynamic going on in your building. That’s how you win.”
It’s so true. Teams that consist of players willing to let their teammates shine, embrace celebrating one another, block for each other, and don’t get upset when not getting enough “touches” or credit, are the types of teams that stick together and win together.
Seeing a team like the Bengals demonstrate unselfishness and selflessness is so refreshing, and a great reminder of what a team can accomplish when it's made up of players with that kind of posture.
What about us? Are we focused on our own stats and “touches” while making sure we get to shine and receive the credit...or are we following Jesus and asking Him to transform our selfishness into selflessness by valuing the interests of others more than ourselves?
Are we self-serving...or do we have a passion to serve others?
Do we chase what’s best for us...or what’s best for the team?
Do we realize that unselfishness and surrender are the keys to our “turnaround”?
Unfortunately, this is very challenging for us because we're taught by the world to look out for “number one” and make sure we “get ours.”
However, the Bible teaches us a very different approach that ultimately leads to much more winning.
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) tells us, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
The Message paraphrase of Philippians 2:1-4 says, “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor:
"Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
On the flipside, whether in sports or life, when there's selfishness and a dominant me-focus, we see major problems and the inability to win.
As the Bible says in James 3:16 (NLT), “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.”
Today, let’s ask God to reveal the selfishness in our lives and allow Him to help us become less me-focused, so we’ll be willing to let our “teammates” shine, celebrate others, and “block” for one another.
Let’s enjoy the blessings that come from living an unselfish life as we choose to be more like Jesus whose selflessness gives us life.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess I am a selfish person, but I desire to be more like Jesus. Please help me to lay down my selfish ambitions, value others more, build them up, and love them well. I pray you’d remove my ego and show me the ways I can be more selfless. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What areas of your life do you think you are the most selfish?
What is your experience being around selfless people and how do they inspire you?
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