I was pleasantly surprised and happy to see an item in the news this week.
It seems pro footballer Terrell Owens, who broke his leg in December, will be OK to play in the Super Bowl this Sunday. That isn’t what made me happy though.
Owens says his recovery is part of God’s plan to give him an even bigger platform during Super Bowl week than he otherwise would have had, thus proving God's greatness, a minor miracle. But that isn’t what made me happy either.
What gave me reason to hope the world hasn't gone entirely insane, was how this “miracle” was reported by SI's Don Banks:
…let's keep things in perspective. The normal recovery time for Owens' ankle injury was put at eight to 10 weeks. If he returns Sunday, it'll be seven weeks since Owens last played, and about 6½ weeks since his surgery. Impressive, and perhaps courageous? You bet. But miraculous? Even if you're willing to stretch, it's not really going to give the whole turning water into wine thing a run for its money.
(Snip)
… it really hits me as the height of self-absorption for a professional athlete to claim that his speedy recovery from an ankle injury -- in time to make the Super Bowl -- would be God's chosen way to manifest his miraculous powers.
Can I get a reality check from someone? Anyone? It's a football game. Owens is a football player. Sometimes football players get hurt, and sometimes, if the game is meaningful enough, they return to the field earlier than what is advisable. And that's never going to change. If Owens had played two weeks after his surgery, that would be miracle territory. But almost seven weeks? That's a fast healer who has a considerable threshold for pain and the utmost motivation.
Yes, finally, a rational angle from the media on a paranormal claim. Of course, you need to compare Owens’ recovery time with the normal recovery period for this type of injury on a fit, motivated, professional athlete. If the recovery time is not significantly quicker than expected, there is no need to propose a supernatural explanation.
I’m sure God will his hands full this Sunday, trying to decide which side’s prayers he is going to listen to when fixing the Super Bowl, without concentrating on Owens. Running the universe must be a confusing business.
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