A Muddy Football Field

A MUDDY FOOTBALL FIELD often puts teams on an even playing field, even if one is supposed to be a lot better. In 1925, the muck and mire at Chicago’s Soldier Field sank Michigan’s national championship.

Five days of torrential rain soaked the field before the Wolverines’ encounter with Northwestern. Although 40,000 people bought tickets, only half braved the elements to watch Michigan, a team that had outscored five opponents 180–0, play the Wildcats. Heavy rainfall continued at kickoff, causing every player to sink ankle deep in mud.

Northwestern capitalized on an early Wolverines turnover. Michigan quarterback Benny Friedman fielded a punt inside his own 5-yard line but fumbled. The Wildcats pounced on the ball, and Northwestern’s Tiny Lewis kicked an 18-yard field goal to lead 3–0.

Late in the third quarter, Michigan pushed the Wildcats back toward their own goal. Lewis lined up in punt formation, eight yards deep in the end zone. But rather than kicking, he dropped to a knee and awarded the Wolverines an intentional 2-point safety. Under the rules at that time, Northwestern kept possession and received the ball on its own 40-yard line.

The Wildcats defense continued to thwart Michigan, and Northwestern held on for the 3–2 victory. For the game, the Wildcats limited Michigan to 35 offensive yards and no first downs.

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POINT Muck makes any ball slimy and slippery. Running—let alone scoring—becomes difficult. The weather conditions bogged down the game. Michigan’s offense got stuck in the mud.

In the Bible, David wrote about the Lord rescuing him from the mud. David, just like us, made some poor decisions and wandered from God’s plan for his life and into some sticky situations. But God was faithful—he rescued David and put him back on solid ground. God does the same thing for us when we reach out and ask him.

GOAL! Have you ever played football or soccer in the mud? It can be slippery and frustrating, yet fun. But being stuck in the mud in life is never fun. Praise God that he rescues you.