Love and a Muffed Punt

The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams both had equally talented rosters and played three close games against each other this season. During the NFC Championship, we saw both quarterbacks really shine as Sam Darnold and Matthew Stafford matched each other touchdown for touchdown.

Ultimately, the key difference in the game came on special teams, which was the Rams' main weakness all season. On Sunday, if we point to one play that was especially costly to the Rams, it’s the one that took place in the third quarter when the Rams were down 13-17.

After the Rams got the stop on defense, the Seahawks punted the ball, and Rams’ punt returner Xavier Smith misjudged it and wasn’t in the right position to receive the punt. His feet got tangled up as he tried to backpedal, and he couldn’t hang onto it and muffed the punt. 

The Seahawks recovered the fumble, and then on the next play from the 17-yard line, Sam Darnold threw a touchdown to Jake Bobo, extending the lead to 24-13. The Rams made a comeback and made it interesting, but they still fell short 31-27.

No, the mistake on the punt return wasn’t the only reason the Rams lost, but it was a pivotal and tough moment for Xavier Smith.

As we can imagine, his teammates had to be disappointed and frustrated that a special-teams mishap would occur like that with the Super Bowl on the line, but the response from team leader Matthew Stafford to Smith is inspiring. 

Stafford said, “I told him I loved him. And I do. The guy wants to go out there and make every play he possibly can, and sometimes it doesn’t happen. I’ve been in those situations. It doesn’t change how I feel about the human being, the person, the player.

“I love the guy, I trust him, and wish nothing but the best for him. Obviously, a mistake he doesn’t want to have happen, but we had our opportunities after that to grab hold of the game and make enough plays to win. We just didn’t do it.”

I have to believe that Stafford's comment had a very positive impact on Smith, who, I’m sure, was blaming himself and beating himself up for making that mistake. However, for him to know that the best player on the team still loved him, hopefully allows him to move forward and not be defined by that one muffed punt.

When it comes to our own lives, we can point to many mistakes we’ve made, some of them huge mishaps, some of them a long time ago, and some of them from earlier today. Like Smith, we are trying to catch the ball, but sometimes we muff the punt. We are flawed, weak, and sinful.

However, just like Stafford told Smith he loved him, and the mistake didn’t change how he feels about him, in a much more profound and powerful way, we hear the same thing from our loving God. Thankfully, when we blow it, we have a Savior who still loves us.

Romans 5:8 (AMP) tells us, "But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) states, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

Football players don’t want to drop the ball or do something that hurts their team, but sometimes they do. As followers of Jesus, we don’t want to sin, hurt others, or dishonor God, but sometimes in our weak flesh we do.

How amazingly reassuring to know that God still loves us after those moments. (He also loves us enough that He wants to help us not keep making the same mistakes.) That should give us the confidence to move forward, walking in His love and grace rather than sulking on the sidelines and wallowing in shame or condemnation.

We can cling to Romans 8:38-39 (NLT), which says, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Today, let’s praise Jesus for the love He demonstrated on the cross, receive God’s unending love, and listen for His whisper to our hearts, reminding us just how much He still loves us…even after a muffed punt.

Let's declare Psalm 86:15 (ESV), “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for continuing to love me. Forgive me for the sin in my life and help me to move past my mistakes and live a life that is honoring and glorifying to You. Help me to receive Your love and grace and not remain stuck in my shame. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.