Legendary Husker football Coach Tom Osborne was falsely accused of cheating early in his career at Nebraska. While preparing to play in the 1985 Sugar Bowl, he was called by a Los Angeles reporter who told him Booker Brown had accused him of illegally recruiting twelve years earlier. Brown said he was given $300 in cash in 1972 during his visit to Nebraska. He also claimed he was promised guaranteed season tickets he could sell for thousands of dollars, along with a car.

Osborne’s response to the false charges was to schedule a lie detector test immediately. Though lawyers had advised Osborne not to do so because, though he was innocent, they feared that if the result was inconclusive, he might be judged guilty. Osborne not only took the test but also passed. He expanded the questions to cover all his recruiting over the previous twenty-three years. The Huskers won the Sugar Bowl that week and were ranked as high as second in the polls.

2 Corinthians 1 – God Knows

The Corinthians criticized Paul’s character and questioned his integrity, accusing him of pride and untrustworthiness. These rumors, spread by his enemies, aimed to damage his reputation. Paul appealed to the highest human court, his conscience. In verse 12, Paul frequently employed the term “boast,” but he did so in a positive light rather than a negative one. He used it to express his confidence in God’s transformative work in his life. Ultimately, Paul emphasized that only God can truly discern a person’s intentions.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete don’t hesitate to defend their integrity against false accusations when necessary. They confront the accuser directly in a firm but loving manner (Matt. 18:15). They always allow the Lord to have the final word (Romans 12:19-21).

Bible Memory Verse – “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: Integrity.

Our featured book this week is: Ruth (The Redeemed Coach) – A Bible study for coaches who want to understand how God moves us from heartbreak to healing. Written by Chrystal Cowan and Ryan Limbaugh.

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