Trailing The Buffalo Bills

TRAILING THE BUFFALO BILLS by one point with only 16 seconds left in the game, the Tennessee Titans needed a miracle to keep their Super Bowl aspirations alive in the 2000 American Football Conference championship game.

With the slimmest glimmer of hope, Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher reached deep into the playbook for a “gadget” kickoff return play called “Home Run Throw Back.” It called for tight end Frank Wycheck to get the ball and then throw it across the field.

As expected, Buffalo kicked short to prevent a runback, and Lorenzo Neal fielded the pigskin on the bounce. He handed off to Wycheck, who then fired it from sideline to sideline to a waiting Kevin Dyson. With blockers leading the way, Dyson bolted 75 yards down the sideline for a game-winning touchdown that stunned the Bills.

But after the play, the officiating crew huddled. Buffalo claimed Wycheck’s pass traveled forward rather than backward as is required of a lateral. The crew called a time-out to look at the video.

Referee Phil Luckett reviewed replays for almost five minutes before judging them inconclusive and allowing the touchdown to stand. Sportswriters nicknamed the unusual play “The Music City Miracle,” and Tennessee went on to play in the Super Bowl.

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POINT The outcome of that playoff game came down to one issue: judgment. The official’s judgment call awarded the touchdown—and the game—to the Tennessee Titans.

The outcome of many life situations comes down to that same issue: judgment. We often talk about people as having good or bad judgment because they make good or bad choices.

Through prayer, reading the Bible, and talking with knowledgeable Christians, we learn to judge good from evil and to make wise decisions. That’s what God desires.

GOAL! Think about football’s instant-replay rule. Do you think it’s a good idea? Would you like to have an instant-replay machine to help you make good decisions in life? God wants to help you develop good judgment. All you have to do is ask him.