I think most would agree: Being an athlete is one thing. Being a champion is another. But what makes the difference? What defines a champion?
Bob WeathersIs it overpowering peers and opponents alike? Getting those mega-million contracts? Lining your shelves with the most trophies?
Maybe it seems I am splitting hairs. Maybe no distinction can be made between a winning athlete and a true champion. But I think that the end result of the women’s semi-final at this year’s U.S. Open proves otherwise.
Unquestionably, Serena Williams is a great athlete. With 23 Grand Slam titles adorning her resume, she has dominated women’s tennis for nearly a decade. But on Sept. 12, she made history in an entirely different fashion. Already being outmatched by Kim Clijsters in the semi-final, she received a warning when she slammed her racquet in frustration. Then in the last set of the match, she was penalized for a foot fault. She became unhinged and unleashed a profanity-laced racquet-waving tirade, threatening the line judge who called the foot fault. The line judge appropriately advised the chair umpire that Williams had been abusive, and in turn the tournament referee was called in for a final judgment. The rules were clear. Williams was penalized again, which gave the game to Clijsters. Game, set, match.
At the press conference that followed, Williams demonstrated no remorse and rebutted any fault. The next day, under pressure, she issued a vague statement of fault, but no apology. But on day three, with commentators, coaches, and the general public all denouncing her behavior, she finally, profusely, apologized on her Web site.
The behavior of a champion? Hardly. When we elevate people to the status of champions, we should consider their character. Do they learn from losses as well as wins? Do they respect the sport and others in it?
Paul liked sports, so he used them often for illustration. And when he instructed Timothy that an athlete “does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules,” he was calling his prot?g? to demonstrate the character that marks a champion for Christ (2 Timothy 2:5).
Being a believer is one thing. Being Christ-like even when the calls don’t go your way is another. Champions demonstrate the difference.