I grew up with football, and it’s been a part of my life for over half a century. In my humble opinion, American football is the best sport on the planet (with golf a distant second). As the 2022 season nears another glorious end with only three playoff games left, I found myself wondering why we love it so much, and then wondering if we love it too much.

There are numerous reasons for loving football. On both the college and professional level it provides excitement and entertainment for millions. The NFL reported that approximately 100 million Americans tuned into football games during the first week of the regular season!

Football is beloved for its traditions, rivalries, drama and Cinderella stories--not to mention tailgating and fantasy leagues. Of course, there’s the playoffs that culminate with the Super Bowl. No best-of-seven series here: just one brutal fight to the finish with the winner declared world champions. Let the NBA have its 82 games and baseball its, what 985? Just give me those 17 epic contests where the stakes are always high and one game can make a huge difference in a season.

However, I can’t help but wonder if we love football too much; and if we do, how would such illegitimate passion be recognized? As Christians, we understand that to love the world, and the things in the world, is to sacrifice the most important love of all, the love of God. (1 John 2:15) So, I came up with three questions to help us determine whether or not our love of football has replaced our love for the Lord.

1. Does football affect my joy in life?

Do you get emotionally overwrought watching football? Does your disappointment carry over into other areas of your life? Do you find yourself screaming at the television? “HOW WAS THAT NOT PASS INTERFERENCE!!!” Have you ever stormed around the room ranting about the obviously biased referees? Losing emotional control over a game signals misplaced love.

If your anger over a bad call lingers, or if a great victory has you on cloud nine, you probably love the sport more than you should. If you wake up dejected the next morning after your favorite team lost, you love definitely football too much.

2. Does football affect my relationships?

Football can easily become a distraction that removes our focus from more important things. I remember a young man who ruined his marriage betting on football pools. Spending time with family and friends enjoying a game is one thing, but missing opportunities with your children or spouse because of football is another.

One of the ways football can have an adverse effect on relationships is when fathers expect their sons, even their daughters, to love it as much as they do. We often hear about men who attempt to fulfill their own dreams though their kids. Psychologists have confirmed the detriment of this and advise parents to let their children follow their own path. So, if a man forces his son, or daughter, to play football, he loves himself and the sport too much.

3. Does football take up too much of my time?

Time is both fleeting and precious. We only have enough of it to do what we’re supposed to do. If you find you’ve neglected those things because of football, you love it too much. Ask yourself, would my spiritual life be better if I spent as much time in God’s Word and prayer as I spend watching football? Do you regularly miss the “assembling of ourselves together” because of your or your child’s involvement in the sport? If so, you love football more than you should.

I look forward to the two conference championship games this weekend. I also look forward to spending Super Bowl Sunday at church and then with family afterward watching the game. I hope you do as well. But let’s make sure that our love for Jesus keeps it all in proper perspective.