My Jersey Sponsor (Remix)

So, I posted a very similar blog (the first part is identical, in fact) May 2011, but when I wrote it, I thought of another comparison I could make, so I decided to hold off for a while, rewrite it with the other idea, and republish it. It's not been almost 10 months, so I figured that was long enough. If you'd like to see the original post, you can check it out here.

Soccer is a unique sport, in many ways, but right now I'm going to focus specifically on the jersey. Look at any team in the EPL, and you won't see what you see on, say, an NFL jersey. NFL you see the team name or city/state they're from with the number on the front, then the last name and number on the back. EPL, you'll see a company on the front, with a small shield on the left chest with the team name and logo, then on the back you'll see the name and number. This is also seen in many (though not all, yet) MLS teams. Why is that? Honestly, I'm not entirely sure, but there are some pretty cool looking ones out there. Each team is represented by someone different. Several of the teams are so big, and their partnerships have been with them for so long, that they become seemingly synonymous. I mostly think of Chelsea and Samsung, and Arsenal and Fly Emirates (the same used to be said of Liverpool and Carlsberg and Manchester United and AIG, but they've recently changed). Well, usually you'll only see one company in a league, but you do see Rangers and Celtic (huge rivalry) both sponsored by Carling in the Scottish League. But, you'll never see an English team with their town written on their jersey, it'll always be a company. The MLS is slowly working towards that, with a majority sporting some kind of company.
So, we've come to the part of the blog where we find the relevance of what I just wrote about it our every days lives. It's really quite simple, actually: when we were baptized, we covenanted to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. Once we've done this, we've become a part of a team, but rather than having a company be the displaying name, it's the Savior. We're to live accordingly, and make our actions in line with what Christ expects of us. We're changed, and we are representing something and someone much bigger than ourselves. Just as the company on a soccer jersey comes to almost symbolize the team itself, so should we be closely linked to the Savior. Just like when people think Fulham, they'll think FxPro, people should see us and think of Jesus Christ. We should always be living our lives in a way that would be pleasing to Him, as well as make us an example of the believer. So, wear that name with pride!

Rivalries

Sports rivalries are what make sports fun. Being a soccer fan, I have several rivalries that I'm personally concerned with. The Colorado Rapids are rivals with Real Salt Lake. Chelsea FC are rivals with Arsenal... and Manchester United... and Liverpool... and Tottenham... There are a few. Also, being a Red Sox fan, I have nothing but disdain for the Yankees. There are other major rivalries existing in all sports. This makes it personal for you. It's one thing just to watch the game, and want your team to win just because it's your team, it's quite another to have more than just a win on the line. If your team is playing that team, the team you hate more than any other, it makes it more intense. You want a win because it gives you bragging rights. It means one more feather in your cap. It's not just a win, it's a victory! A triumph over the foe! Nothing makes me happier than to see my team beat their rivals, which, unfortunately, hasn't happened too often recently, but there are always times I can look back to: Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Manchester United last year, Red Sox coming back from down 3 games to none against the Yankees, pulling off a series win in the 7th game to clinch the ALCS in 2004 (and later going on to win the World Series), Rapids... Well, at least they won the MLS Cup last year! These rivalries make it exciting as it makes you feel more involved and connected with your team, even outside of the game. You show your support by wearing your colors, and if someone's wearing the wrong color, you let them know that.
However, we must always remember a simple fact: rivalries aside, we're all on the same side. We're all children of God, and we should never let anything (especially something as trivial as sports) cause contention amongst us. I've seen many times a sports argument turn into something much too serious. We can't be divided. We must stay strong in our purpose, or we'll fall. It's not just sports (obviously), it can be anything, from serious things like politics, economics, or our overall view of the world, to simple things like sports, music, television, whatever. The point is, we're all trying to get back to our Heavenly Father, and we all need the help of others to do so. Who cares if you don't agree with the person next to you? Who cares if their opinion seems illogical and dumb? Who cares if they like the wrong team? "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another." (3 Nephi 11:29). You know who said that? Jesus Christ. Contention is of the devil, and will never solve anything. Don't get so caught up in your own opinions that they turn into "facts". Opinions are just that, and no matter how much you think them, they'll never be commonly accepted. People are stubborn and hard to change, and you'll find it difficult, if not impossible, to change someone to your way of thinking, especially if you go about it in a contentious way. We're all brothers and sisters, and we should treat each other as such.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

On the Best Football Club Imaginable

I love soccer. It is by far and away my favorite sport. The amazing skill and athleticism required to play the game is amazing. The average soccer player will run anywhere from 6 to 8 miles a game. Factor in that they play 2 or 3 games a week, and that's just 16-24 miles in game play. There's still practice, which could be up to 9 or 10 miles of running, and they practice everyday. It takes a good deal of stamina, timing, skill, foot-eye coordination (which is tougher than hand-eye coordination), and a good bit of luck. I don't know if you've ever tried to kick a ball, and make it noticeably curve, several feet, then come back and hit on target, but it's not easy. Far from it. There are players who can stand outside the box, which is 54 feet from the goal, and crank a perfect shot that curves to where it looks like it's going to not come anywhere near the goal, then suddenly curve back in and squeak in the upper corner of the goal. Players will practice so they can hit the crossbar every time from outside that 54 foot box. The talent they posses is amazing. But, soccer (or football) is still a team sport (despite what Wayne Rooney or Cristiano Ronaldo may like to think). Every person plays a huge part in the game, a major role being just support. Whether you're forward, middie, or defense, you support the rest of your team. In soccer, you're a defender who attacks, and an attacker who defends. Despite what your normal position is, your overall desire is the same as all the other player's: keep the ball from going in your net, and get it into the theirs. 10 people (because the keeper just stays in the goal, he doesn't do much else) all trying to get that little ball to the other side of the field. It would be impossible to do that on your own.
This is just like Missionary Work. My team is the Montana Billings Mission, our pitch is Montana and the Great Horn Basin of Wyoming, our manager is President Larry H. Gardner, our owner is the Lord, and we're playing our biggest rival: Satan. This is bigger than the MLS Cup, bigger than the Carling or FA Cup, bigger than the Champions League, or the UEFA Euro Cup, or even the FIFA World Cup. This isn't just for a cool trophy, lots of money, worldwide respect and notoriety. This is for the salvation of our brothers and sisters. And we can't do it alone. I can't do it without the Spirit, and without my companion. We as a companionship can't do it without the support of the members, and no one can do it without the Lord. We're all on the ultimate All-Star team: we have better forwards than Ibrahimovich, Drogba, or Messi, better midfielders than Lampard, Ronaldinho, or Donovan, better defenders than Puyol, Pique, or Terry, and better keepers than Howard or Casillas. Our forward is the Spirit, our midfielder is Christ, our defender is the Truth, and our Keeper is our Heavenly Father. How could we possibly lose?

Those who know me won't be surprised that I used a picture of Didier Drogba of Chelsea.