Norris Burkes: Did you fumble the ball last year? – Charleston Post Courier

By the time you read this, Ill be home from New Orleans where I watched the Georgia Bulldogs defeat my alma mater, Baylor University, at the New Years Day Sugar Bowl game.

But now that the season is over, I have a New Years confession: I dont really understand football. In fact, I failed my 2019 New Years resolution in which I promised Id learn more about the rules and strategy of football.

Not a life-changing resolution, but I made it because I love the game and I wanted to be conversant with my friends.

Its a hard thing for a man of my age to admit, but I know almost nothing about football. When guys circle around after church to talk play-off chances, I nod and mumble.

Usually, I cant even recall the standing of my favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers.

Why would a learned and manly man (also modest) such as myself know so little about this testosterone-filled game? I suppose I could blame elementary school for my shortsighted ignorance.

During a crucial time of my education, between third and fourth grade, I transferred from Balboa Elementary to Alvarado Elementary. Balboa taught football in fourth grade while Alvarado had already taught football to the third-graders.

As a result, I was trapped in an educational gap, arriving at my new school completely ignorant of football. Youve heard of No Child Left Behind. Well, I was left behind and quickly labeled as a pigskin-illiterate fourth-grader.

I have learned a few things in the 50-plus years since. For instance, I know each team gets four chances, called "downs," to advance the football 10 yards across a 100-yard field toward their goal line. If they are successful, they get four more, etc. Until, eventually, they attempt to score a touchdown.

Since making my 2019 well-meaning resolution, however, I have yet to learn more significant details. I dont know what a play-action pass is. I dont know the difference between a fullback and a halfback. I still find the rules a bit confusing, and no one has been able to successfully explain why one touchdown should equal six whole points.

But heres what I absolutely know for sure about football: I know that I love to watch it. I love to see the aerobatic catches of the receivers and the acrobatic gyrations of ball carriers as they dance through a tough defense.

And despite my ignorance, my love for football keeps me watching season after season.

Because love doesnt need details. If you love someone, you neednt have a detailed schematic of his life. If you love ice cream, you dont need the recipe. You simply know what you love.

I guess thats what is so amazing about the love of God. For you see, God does have a schematic of our lives. He knows the details. He made the recipe. He knows the rules. He knows the players.

Most especially, he knows our important stats. He knows how many resolutions weve failed to complete. He knows how many of his passes weve missed. He knows how many times weve fumbled the ball.

He knows all of this and yet he still loves us.

So this year, as you review your stats and accomplishments, take it easy on yourself. Youve had some failures, youve had some dropped balls, but God knows that. Hes still at work in your life. He still loves you.

As for football, Im going to try and learn a little bit more this year, even though it might involve calling my friends to ask what night Monday Night Football comes on.

Contact Norris Burkes at comment@thechaplain.net or 10566 Combie Road, Suite 6643, Auburn, CA 95602 or voicemail 843-608-9715.

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Norris Burkes: Did you fumble the ball last year? - Charleston Post Courier