A legacy worth remembering

Unless you're living in a cave without access to media in any form (in which case, how are you reading this?) you probably know that last night the Seattle Seahawks dominated the Denver Broncos en route to a 43-8 victory in Super Bowl 48.

There were two storylines that dominated the sports talk circuit leading into last night's game:  one was Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman's "colorful" postgame interview after making the play that put his team into the championship.   Amped on adrenaline just a few seconds after the play, Sherman had some less-than-charitable things to say about his opponents.  Whether his words and behavior were appropriate or justified was a much-discussed topic the past few weeks.

The other "big story" concerned the impact the game result would have on Broncos QB Peyton Manning's "legacy."  Manning, after coming back from a potentially career-ending injury two years ago, broke multiple records this season on his way to earning an unprecedented fifth NFL MVP Award.   Despite his regular season success, going into last night Manning was just 1-1 in Super Bowls.   This game was his chance to cement his legacy as an all-time great by winning a second championship. The Seahawks, however had other plans and Manning had what could generously be called a forgettable game.  No doubt in the days ahead, every sports talk TV or radio program will debate the damage done to Peyton Manning's legacy by his performance.

The story that caught my attention, however, wasn't the headline.  It was buried a little lower on the sports websites.  It concerns a different kind of legacy altogether.  Late in the game, Richard Sherman injured his ankle.   When the game had concluded, Peyton Manning sought Sherman out to check on his opponent, and this is what Sherman had to say about the meeting:

"When I was walking up to my press conference, well limping up to my press conference and trying to make it up the stairs, somebody taps me on the shoulder and extends their hand and asked am I alright. And my eyes trying to make it out to see who it is, and it's Peyton, fully dressed in his suit. Obviously, really concerned about my well-being,” Sherman said. "After a game like that, biggest stage ever, a guy who’s still classy enough to ask ‘How are you doing?’ and really be genuinely concerned about an opponent. That shows an incredibly different amount of humility and class and I think that deserved to be known."



I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to suffer a defeat like Manning did, but what I do know is that most people would not have done that.  Then again Peyton Manning isn't most people.  There is a reason he was just voted by his peers as the most respected player in the game.  Yes, he has the stats to command respect, but so do many other players.  The kind of legacy Peyton Manning is leaving goes far beyond his play on the field.

What about us?  Nobody reading this blog today is a future NFL Hall of Famer (at least I don't think so). Each of us, however, have opportunities come along in our lives to leave just such a legacy.  How we respond to adversity, how we treat people when things don't go our way, these things say so much about what kind of a person we are.

Romans chapter 12 has some great advice on leaving a legacy worth remembering.  This is a standard I so often fall short of, and yet I'm working every day to get there.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.   Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.  When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.   Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.   Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!  Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

That, my friends, is a legacy worth remembering