Faith, Family and Flops 3
The Orlando Sentinel is running point/counter-point style editorials about a recent “Faith and Family” held as a promotion for a Magic game. Two columnists debate whether this type of event is a “smart promotion or an unwelcome intrusion of religion into sports?” (You can read the columns here).
The event was somewhat controversial for blending religion with sports, even though Magic star Dwight Howard is one the most outspoken Christians in the NBA.
Basically, one evening, fans could hang around after the game for a free Christian rock concert. To add a little sub-text to the controversy, the team’s owner is a well known financial supporter of conservative causes like the Amendment 2 ban on gay marriage—a fact that has made him somewhat of a lightening rod in the Central Florida press. Here’s a quote from Sentinel columnist Andrea Adelson, “The entire idea of a Faith & Family Night makes it feel as though the team is supporting that religion, and makes it even worse to know that it is trying to draw in fans with these beliefs in an effort to sell tickets. If this was a true Faith & Family Night, then Jewish groups and Muslim groups and other religious groups would be there singing their songs, too.”
One reason it didn’t get more press is possibly because it was just days after the Magic were involved another controversy—flopgate (or “the flop flap”) as it has become known.
As it turns out, Shaq flopping in the post while playing against Dwight Howard (and the ensuing war of words between the Diesel and Magic coach Stan Van Gundy) was far more interesting to the press than the blending of Christianity and sports.
I think the reason why it’s more fun to talk about Shaq, smack-talk-ridden press conferences and flopping than the political correctness and social repercussions of faith in the public square is because a lot of times, sports provide escapism from difficult issues. We watch sports because it’s fun and exciting—to get away from the screaming political pundits and gloom and doom news. Plus, tacking on a free Shane & Shane concert to the end of game isn’t really hurting anyone.
PS. I’d be amiss to post a story that mentions flopping and not include this YouTube clip of the worst flop in basketball history. I love Duke, and I’m excited about their ACC title, but it’s clips like this that make me understand why people hate them.













Jason Boyett is a writer, father of two, fanatical flyfisher, fantasy baseball aficionado, and long-time Chicago Cubs fan. Thus he has learned to live with both unbridled optimism (in March, April and May) and hopeless despair (the rest of the year). Jason blogs at 