Who is the GOAT?

Who is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)? Who is the greatest player? Who is the greatest coach? Who is the greatest sports chaplain? I would contend these are poor questions, one and all. All such comparisons are bogus. They are especially foolish when made across eras. It’s entirely an exercise in wasted energy. Such discussions quickly become pointless arguments. They are quickly stressors of relationships with little value. They are argument fodder at their best and a foolish waste of time at their worst.

Instead of arguing about the relative value of players or coaches, I would ask you to celebrate each person for who he or she is without making comparisons with others of the same era or across the years. He or she is worthy of appreciation and making comparisons is not helpful.

Celebrate the achievements of sportspeople for what they are without comparing them with other’s achievements. The comparisons only diminish the memories of each.

The Apostle Paul warned us about the foolishness of making comparisons. "We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point." 2 Corinthians 10:12 MSG

After His resurrection, Jesus was meeting with His team and one of His best had a question about another highly achieving teammate. "Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind. When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him ?” Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You—follow me.” That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you?” John 21:20-23 MSG

Neither Jesus nor the Apostle Paul would allow their teammates to fall into the pernicious trap of comparison. They knew that such foolishness is not worthy of their callings. We would do well to similarly avoid the aimless arguments of who is the GOAT.