Living Your Life As A Champion

“An atheist is a man who watches a Notre Dame-Southern Methodist University game and doesn't care who wins.” ― President Dwight D. Eisenhower

In a sport where rivalry games serve as the lifeblood of college football fans, nobody does bitterness and contentious showdowns quite like the Southeastern Conference.  Grudge matches abound in college football:  Army-Navy, Alabama-Auburn, Michigan-Ohio State, Oklahoma-Texas, USC-Notre Dame, Georgia-Florida.

For the past ten seasons Alabama and LSU have carved their own niche in iconic college football history.

How did LSU overshadow Auburn as the biggest game on Alabama’s schedule?  Nick Saban left the LSU football program for the NFL after guiding the Tigers to the 2003 BCS National Championship against Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.  After his stint with the Miami Dolphins, Saban returned to the college ranks at none other than SEC West rival Alabama.  The Tiger Nation has never forgotten the pain he caused.

I wish I loved anything as much as I hate Nick Saban #LSUvsBAMA

— Duty/ Doody (@EmboG) November 8, 2015

I have been a Bama fan since I was knee-high to a grasshopper; going all the way back to the Paul “Bear” Bryant era.  If I couldn’t be a Bama fan I would be an LSU fan.  Through adversity, triumph and defeat the LSU faithful are rabid, devoted fans.  I admire their heart.

A tradition that began three years ago between friend and SEC sister Diogenes’ Middle Finger involves a friendly wager on the slugfest between our two beloved schools.  For two years we made sizeable contributions to Wounded Warrior Project.  Last year we directed our donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children.  We have agreed to do so again this year.

It hurts when you lose to your most-hated rival.  Diogenes and I know one of us will face losing the ballgame on Saturday. Somehow, giving from the heart to a noble cause like Shriners Hospitals, we know we’ve helped make these children champions in their own right.

It’s all too easy to lose track of what matters in this world.  What could be better than helping a precious child become all God meant for him to be?  I hope you’ll join us in making a donation of whatever amount you can afford to Shriners Hospitals for Children.  The holiday season is right around the corner.  Your gift will help provide the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs. 

For almost 100 years, the Shriners Childrens Hospitals have helped more than 1.3 million children under the age of 18 and through the generosity of its donors turns patients back into kids.

Dear God, let Your grace and love fall on them like gentle breezes and give them inner strength and peace and patience for the journey ahead.

Please click here to make a donation.  Thank you.

NOTE:  According to Charity Navigator, Shriners Hospitals for Children has an Overall Score and Rating of 93.58.  Their financial rating is 91.44 and accounting and transparency is 97.00.  All ratings are four stars.

For charities performing similar types of work, Shriners ranks highest over Interfaith Dental Clinic (87.17), Turner House Children’s Clinic (91.70), Doctors Care (90.67) and Mission of Mercy (93.62).