Reflections on Steve Johnson & His Tweet to God

Sometimes there are stories in sports that are just ripe for talking about.  This happened to be one of them.  Steve Johnson (or Stevie Johnson as he's also known) is a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills.  He's having a breakout season in his third year in the league.  He has 9 touchdowns already and is on pace for a 1,000 yard receiving season.  He helped the Bills in a comeback win against the Bengals a couple of weeks ago.

Last Sunday he didn't have such a great game.  He dropped several passes including one in overtime that would've won the game for the Bills.  Instead the Steelers went on to win on a field goal.  After the game, Johnson talked with the media and shared about how he won't forget about that dropped pass.  You could tell he was really taking it hard.  I felt bad for him.

A few hours later, on his twitter account was this tweet: 
I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO...

His tweet was addressed to God.  When I first heard about this I was like really?  It came across initially as he was blaming God for dropping those passes.  Now prior to Sunday, I knew a little about him and it seemed like he had faith in God.  So when I saw that tweet I was like huh?

Have there been times in my life when I've questioned God?  Yes but I usually kept that between the Father and me.  I never really expressed it aloud, and I didn't tweet about it.  There have been times I've been frustrated with God.  So in that sense I understand some where Johnson was coming from.  Would I have sent that tweet if I was in his shoes?  Probably not.  I might have typed it out but I don't think I would've hit the send button.

Do I think he has a legit faith?  Yeah I think so.  I would hope this has been a learning experience for him.  I think I've learned from it.  It's a reminder that God allows us to throw up questions to Him.  He may not give us the answer at the time but He does answer.  He has a plan and purpose for all of us.

We have a sphere of influence with which God allows us to express our faith and witness for Him.  We are to take the opportunities God provides whether good or bad and use them for His glory and purpose.

(The next day after his tweet to God, Johnson responded by saying this: 
I learned A lot Within 24hrs. Saw Both Sides.(Ups&Dwns) I AM HAPPY & THANKFUL 4 YESTERDAY! w/out Sunday iWldnt have grew closer w/The Lord!!
And No I Did Not Blame God People! Seriously??!? CMon! I Simply Cried Out And Asked Why? Jus Like yal did wen sumthin went wrong n ur life!
So Before Yall..well I'm pretty sure you've awready judged me. I hope you guys look n the mirror. I dnt blame u 4 being mad @ my gm I WAS 2!
Spoke To Friends Fam Teammates and Most Importantly I Spoke With My Wife. I Honestly Believe Evrything Happens For A Reason! Everything!)

Steroids: The Continued Black Eye on Baseball

It seems like the consequences of the use of steroids and "performance enhancing" drugs still seems to follow baseball like a shadow. The news that broke today that Alex Rodriguez admitted to taking steroids back in 2003.

Personally this saddens me. Understandably, I'm not a fan of A-Rod to begin with. This goes back to him leaving Seattle for that huge contract and then ending up with the Yankees. But it would have been nice if he wasn't on steroids so that there was the possiblity that he could break the records of Barry Bonds and 'clean' up the records. Now, that will not happen.

Growing up, I really did like baseball. But it seems like in the past decade and a half, the sport has done a lot to itself that it needs to make amends for (the strike, steroid scandal, no salary cap which makes for little parity). The sport has tried to turn things around. But it really needs to make the effort to do it. Otherwise, the sport will be supplanted (if it hasn't already) as "America's Pasttime"...

(The story itself can be seen at this link at SI.com

Reflections on Plaxico Burress

This is one that I've mulled on a litle recently, the incident involving Plaxico Burress shooting himself. I'm not the only one as a wise man (notice I didn't say wise guy) as already commented on it on his blog (which you should check out, http://billyvsquickhits.blogspot.com/). I'll just add my two sense here.

I found it ironic that the incident happened on the same weekend as the Washington Redskins honored Sean Taylor who was tragically shot and killed in his home by robbers. I think too often there is a lack of common sense that seems to permeate in situations like the one involving Burress. There is an old saying that seems to work well..."Nothing good happens at (fill in the blank early morning hour)". I personally don't have a problem with going to a club but if you feel like you have to carry a gun in order to go to a club, then you probably shouldn't be at that club. And I'm not against owning guns either (I have several back in Tennessee that are with my family), but there should be proper care and handling with those too and not being careless with them.

Hopefully, something can be learned from this incident, especially from Burress. My guess is he will not be with the Giants next year. Wherever he lands, I hope that he will have a better perspective on his life and those around him.