Not too far removed from our thoughts are the events from a few days ago. A team made history by going 36-0 in the middle of the greatest season in NCAA basketball history. An army of 7 footers focused to take down anyone in their path. A following so large they form their own “Nation”. A storied program that is the symbol of college basketball.
Also sharing this same court, a young man standing 6 foot 10 inches tall, full of pride, talent and victories. He has a very little following, in fact his critics far out way his supporters. A young man in the middle of dark valley, clinging to every hope he can. A young man outcast, a not so clean past jagged and riddled with mistakes. Now having such a past and playing high profile athletics can be massive disadvantage. You become the target, beaten and battered with every little misstep magnified. The full intent of the opponent and fans is getting you to snap and lose control.
Okay so… I could go on, but by now I’m sure you have caught on. So let me say before we get too much further: in no way is this meant to be justification for any one person’s actions. Let’s get to it!
Octavius Ellis, a talented forward for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, a team that has vested in this young man not turning their backs on him when he needed them most. He was part of the “Crosstown Punch-out” as well as few minor altercations in between, UC saw a future in this kid and gave him a second chance. as I tell you a bit more of his past you will grasp the significance of this gesture.
For Tay (as he is called) life has been a long, hard journey. In 2003 at the age of 10 was at home with his two sisters, when his mother was murder by his then stepfather. A stepfather whom was his only father figure, the man responsible for his maturation to a man. Instead of throwing baseball to his stepdad he was throwing rocks screaming you’ve killed my mama. This tragedy would set his path under the care of his grandmother to this point. A young man playing on the biggest stage in his life against his biggest opponent.
For him on this stage at 6-10 he must stand small, holding back emotions. Controlling his anger for his stepfather and the love for his mother. Now I don’t know about you but I don’t think I could do that, show grace 100% of the time. I mean there was only one who did. This kid took an onslaught of attacks on the court, and off the court they only got worse. Here are just a few social media attacks.
“You should be a janitor or a Garbage man”
“You should be in jail”
“Thug your worthless”
And the worse I saw “if your mother was anything like you”
This broke me down and tore me up; you see I too had a hard journey. I understand emotions flying off, people telling you you’re not good enough. That you will never amount to anything. The impact that has is monumental, it can and does shake you to the core. Whether that is visible on the outside or not it is present still. It affects our mood, our decision making, and our character. It can quickly make us feel as though we are not good enough. Like we are prostitutes and thieves, adulterers and liars being cast out from the temple and shunned from society. To tell a young man who is trying to better his life that he is worthless and should be in jail is ridiculous!
He should be in jail for what crime?
Now if there is one thing God has showed us it is that he values every one of us and he has done this through his son, Jesus Christ. You see Jesus accepted all. He spent his days with the broken, he loved the lost, and he healed the sick (Matthew 21:12-15). Jesus was ridiculed and spat on for his love for all. Today we find it more acceptable to spread hate and criticism than love. We would rather be accepted for that than ridiculed for loving unconditionally.
We are quick to call ourselves Christians, but if we truly are Christ followers than as Christ’s followers, we should show love, compassion, and grace. We shouldn’t forsake a young man for his past, and try to destroy him. It is not for us to pass judgment on another. Being a fan of a team gives us no right to circumvent this (Luke 6:37-42). Yet we should lift him up for his efforts, guide him through his trials, congratulate him on his accomplishments and above all, pray for him. We shouldn’t lose who God made us to be for a team, for a game. GOD is bigger than the game!
Ultimately God showed us this value and love by way of Christ crucified!
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Tim Campbell is from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a loving husband to Toni and father to 3 beautiful children, Emma, Parker, and Elijah. He attended Cincinnati Christian University and served in the Army. He finds joy in spreading the good news and living for the one true King.
