"Not So Fast, My Friend"

As a lifelong sports fan, I have long held in high regard several iconic sports shows, including Inside the NBA, PTI, SportsCenter, Fox NFL Sunday, and, of course, College GameDay.

With the majority of college football teams officially kicking off this week, sports fans will begin their Saturday morning by turning on College GameDay. This episode will be a special one because it’s Lee Corso’s last. The crew will be live from Ohio State as Corso puts on the headgear one final time at the same place he made his first headgear pick in 1996.

The 90-year-old Corso has been on the show since its inception in 1987 and has been a key factor in the show’s rise to prominence and longevity. The former coach became a star due to his likability, his ability to entertain, and his extensive knowledge of the game of football.

Not only is Corso known for his weekly picks and putting on headgear, but he’s also recognized for his popular catchphrase, “Not so fast, my friend(s).” For many years, he has used that line to offer his fellow analysts a counterargument or another perspective on what they just said about a team, player, or the game they’re picking.

Instead of agreeing, he attempts to set them straight, takes the conversation down a different path, points out where they are wrong, and the catchphrase provides a funny transition. It causes everyone to pause and listen to what Corso is about to say, creating suspense, adding entertainment, and setting the stage for him to share something important.

Corso and his catchphrase have connected with each generation, as he has been a well-known personality in college football for decades. We will miss him on Saturdays, but his impact will live on.

While we celebrate the career of Lee Corso, I want to explore how we can apply his catchphrase, “Not so fast, my friend,” to several aspects of our lives as followers of Jesus.

As we interact with each other, we can often hear how a friend believes a lie, is listening to false teaching, thinks wrongly about something, is about to make a hasty decision, or has already gone down a path into sin. We need to be willing to say to each other with accountability, “Not so fast, my friend,” and speak truth in love.

Galatians 6:1 (ESV) encourages us, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

Colossians 2:8 (NLT) challenges us, “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”

Proverbs 19:2 (AMP) reminds us, “Also, it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark).”

There are also times we need to use the phrase “Not so fast, my friend” for ourselves when it comes to speaking too soon, judging quickly, reacting the wrong way, or when we’re about to lose our temper.

James 1:19-20 (ESV) says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Proverbs 14:29 (ESV) tells us, “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”

Lastly, in today’s hectic world, we must constantly remind ourselves, “Not so fast, my friend,” and slow down our pace. We must learn to value pausing and resting, rather than constantly being on the go.

Psalm 127:2 (NIV) states, "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for He grants sleep to those He loves.”

Today, let’s be willing to say, “Not so fast, my friend,” and ultimately remind ourselves and each other of the truth that Jesus is with us and wants to help us believe, say, and do the right things. So let’s pause and ask Him to strengthen and empower us through the Holy Spirit to keep us on the right path, living by the truth of God’s Word.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to speak the truth in love, to believe the truth, and to think rightly before making decisions. Please help me to be slow to speak and slow to get angry, and not to act hastily. Also, I ask that You show me how to slow down and not live life at such a fast pace all the time. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.