Pigskin and Payback

 

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.j Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.k 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.l 19 Do not take revenge,m my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”d n says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”e o

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Andrew Luck is an excellent NFL quarterback, elite in a crop of fine players at the position. He followed Payton Manning, a legend in Indianapolis and throughout the National Football League, and has managed to slip out from under Manning's shadow to lead a really good team.

Sometimes Luck can't elude the other teams' defensive stars who come at every quarterback like a pack of ravenous wolves. When they find him it isn't pretty, but Luck chooses to respond with praise when they bring him down, rather than curses. Needless to say, this is both unconventional and disconcerting for linebackers and defensive backs:

 

That’s why opponents find Andrew Luck’s reaction to being sacked so perplexing. Rather than appealing to the refs or sulking in silence, the third-year Indianapolis Colts quarterback has made a habit of complimenting his assailants, the Wall Street Journal reports.“Great job” or “what a hit!” Luck will say, as he peels himself off the field. “In all the years I’ve played football I have never heard anything like it,” Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan told the paper. “Nothing even close.” Some defenders say it denies them the satisfaction of a big play. “You know if you hear a quarterback get mad, you are in his head,” defensive back Nolan Carroll told the paper. “With Luck, you thought you hurt the guy, you hear ‘good job’ and you just say ‘aw, man.’ ” It started in high school, says his father Oliver Luck, when he was playing against friends. Now his professional opponents, trained to see him as an enemy, find the tendency confounding and amusing in equal measure. “You love it but at the same time, you really, really hate it,” said Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin.

Who knew that a pro QB could be so biblical? Of course, rather than heaping coals on his opponents heads he has them rattling 'round in their helmets, but that could be even worse. What I find interesting is that this is newsworthy, covered by a number of media outlets. Next thing you know teams will be engaging in group hugs...or maybe not.

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