On beyond football

Now here is a fine wonder ... last week I noted that U.S. football might be in long term trouble. Today I see that a San Francisco Chronicle football writer is moving on to a new venture. It's not just that there is no future in local newspapers, though there probably isn't. David White has had it with some of the posturing and he has some parting commandments to offer:

Thou shalt not wear a cross around your neck if you're going to verbally wring the neck of third-string quarterbacks and local sports anchors in full public view. The Scripture says to take up your cross, not nail everyone else to one. Represent or tuck it in.

When thou tear an ACL, don't say it's because God lets everything happen for a reason. There is a reason. A 320-pound defensive tackle landed on the back of your knee.

Thou shalt not thank God when only you win, and never when you lose. What, is it his fault that 4th-and-inches call was a few yards off? Did he fumble away the game-winning interception? The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.

Thou shalt absolutely not say your team won because it was God's plan. What does the Lord have against the other team? And why should God even care in a world of suffering how our games play out? Maybe you think He doubled down on your end of the Vegas line? He didn't.

White is moving on to be a pastor. Read the whole thing. Adios Mr. White.