Sports are meant to unite us, inspire us, and give us something to cheer for—but somewhere along the way, rivalry can blind us to what really matters.
College rivalry weekend is one of the great joys of fall. The colors, the noise, the energy—it all crackles like electricity in the air. But as I watched a rivalry game this past weekend, something the announcers said reminded me that passion can sometimes twist into something far less noble. They mentioned a story about a coach who lost last year’s game and felt forced to hire four guards to protect his home afterward. Four guards. To protect his home.
There’s something deeply wrong with that picture.
Rooting for a team is fun. Feeling the ups and downs is part of the deal. Loyalty is beautiful… until it becomes something dark. It crosses a line when we begin insulting, threatening, or dehumanizing the very players and coaches who pour everything they have into the sport.
I strongly doubt any coach wakes up on game day thinking, “Let’s lose today.” Or that any player sits in the locker room saying, “I hope I play terribly.” Athletes compete because they care. They strive because they believe. And they hurt when things fall apart—just like we do.
Sports are entertainment. Nothing more. They give us community, excitement, memories, and friendly rivalry. But at the end of the day, they’re still just games.
So enjoy the contests. Celebrate the victories. Accept the losses. And remember that both winning and losing arrive in every season. What matters is the grace we bring to each one.