Dear editor,
Perhaps like many of you, I intently watched the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship game between Houston and Florida.
And although the game itself was highly contested throughout the 40 minutes of playing time, it’s what happened in the minute following Florida’s two-point victory that I’ll remember most.
In the game’s final seconds, Houston’s redshirt junior guard Emanuel Sharp, with the ball in his hands, leapt to attempt a three-point shot, which was simultaneously thwarted by Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr., who obscured Sharp’s ability to shoot. Sharp intentionally dropped the ball before landing to avoid a traveling penalty; Florida recovered it as time expired.
Amid the immediate chaos of Florida’s celebration and Houston players’ dejection, the TV camera captured Sharp squatting with his face buried in his hands and Clayton leaning over him, offering him a one-arm hug and words of consolation. It was the visual image of the victor providing comfort and support — an attempt to repair a relationship fractured by competition.
In my mind, I could hear Clayton saying to Sharp, “You’re going to have another chance next year.” What I saw was a merging of sportsmanship and brotherhood — the competitive endeavor manifesting in mutual respect and reconciliation.
This week, the Christian world observes Holy Week, a period of eight days that allows for solemn reflection and remembrance of Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. We are asked to make the most of the second chance provided to us through His sacrifice on the cross.
It's our time to prepare to start again. As a whole, we are people who believe in forgiveness, in reconciliation, in second chances. For example, Jesus, through His resurrection, has provided us with the most excellent second chance of all salvation. Despite our transgressions, God still loves us.
Peter Wibell, Rutledge