Lessons From The Bengals

Lessons from the Bengals

When the Pittsburgh Steelers were matched up with the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2015–16 AFC wild card game, the teams had a history of unsportsmanlike conduct on the field. But in spite of the bad blood between them, it was kept under the boiling point most of the game.

With the Steelers down by one point and two minutes to go, inexperienced Landry Jones stepped onto the field to run the two-minute offense for the Steelers. To Jones’s dismay, the nemesis of the Steelers offense, Bengals middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict, stepped in front of his pass and intercepted it, seemingly securing the win. Burfict and his buddies ran all the way to the opposite end of the field, through the end zone, and up into the tunnel as they celebrated what appeared to be a certain Bengals victory. But the game wasn’t over yet.

The Steelers regained possession, and after an effective drive and a couple of penalties handed to the Bengals for fouls, the Steelers were able to score, moving on in the play-offs and sending their rival into the off-season.

I believe the focus and self-control that Bengals’ coach Marvin Lewis instilled in his players going into this game left his team when Burfict and his cronies were running up the tunnel with well over a minute and a half left to play.

Self-control is a must in athletics and in life. It is a shame that the uncontrolled actions of a few players cost so many other teammates, coaches, Bengal employees, and Cincinnati fans a magical season. The same could be said about the husband and father who gets caught up in adultery. All the years of investment into his wife, his kids, and his career can be gone with one moment that lacks self-control. Focused self-control is vital to be successful in a world full of temptation. Remember, it is always available to you. Second Timothy 1:7 states, “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7