The Super Bowl
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” - 1 Corinthians 10:31
When people use the term that a certain event is their Super Bowl, they are often referencing the biggest moment someone could reach in their craft. With today being the actual Super Bowl, it isn’t lost on me that for the TV Broadcast World and the sports media landscape this is in fact their Super Bowl. The team at NBC has been working on this day, from sunrise to well into the night, for years. I got to meet a few of these people back in May and their minds were already dialed in on February 8th.
This mindset of going all-in on a project and putting everything out there is a scary concept. What if all of my work goes to waste? What if it all falls apart? The anxiety that comes with ‘putting all your chips in’ can sometimes feel overwhelming, but in my own experience there has always been one solution to relieving that stress. That is the process of constant and detailed preparation. I have walked into gyms two hours before a game without even knowing a name on one of the teams. Those two hours of equipment set-up and inquiring with athletic directors, coaches, and even fans a few times, are extremely stressful. It wouldn’t take an expert to recognize that those broadcasts are oftentimes not my finest work. I stumble over names, miss important moments, and fall short of the standard that I hold for myself. But on the flip side, I have walked into games afforded the opportunity to work for hours preparing, having already communicated with athletic directors and coaches, and with a plethora of filler content. I walk away from those broadcasts smiling from ear to ear with a sense of satisfaction and a few times - an award. The common denominator? My preparation. I do believe God has given me a talent to broadcast sports, but in my mind He has also given me the talent of research and storytelling to enhance that ability. When I enter into games not fully using the gifts given to me, I fall short of what I want to accomplish.
Millions of people will sit down and watch the game for what it is - a big football game, but understand today is the epitome of many people’s careers and magnum opus for years of hard work. So, enjoy with a newfound sense of purpose as you watch.
(Originally written on February 8th)
