Many sports fans have seen the historic photograph of John Carlos and Tommie Smith’s defiant gesture the day they won medals for the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Few know the story behind the white man in the photo, Peter Norman.

The two black men, with their heads bowed, their black-gloved fists in the air, took a stand for African American civil rights during a year that included the death of Martin Luther King. The other runner was a white man from Australia whose country had strict apartheid laws.

Carlos and Smith asked Norman if he believed in human rights and God. He did as he had been involved with the Salvation Army. Carlos recalls, “We knew that what we were going to do was far greater than any athletic feat, and he said, ‘I’ll stand with you.’ “I expected to see fear in Norman’s eyes, but instead, we saw love.” They only had one pair of black gloves, so Norman wore a Human Rights badge.

Norman returned to his home, where he was treated like an outsider for his gesture at the Olympics, but he refused to condemn the choice of the two Americans. After he died in 2006, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, his friends since that moment in 1968, were his pallbearers who sent him off as a hero.

Acts 21 – Advance the Gospel

The Apostle Paul must have felt like Norman when he was attacked in Acts 21 by the Jewish mob that accused him of teaching against their laws. He had once stood with his people, but now he felt so strongly about his mission that he was willing to be arrested or die in the name of the Lord Jesus (v. 13). He likely would have been killed for taking a stand if the Romans hadn’t taken him into custody. Paul was passionate about advancing the gospel, convinced of who Jesus is and what He had done. He was unwilling to compromise his convictions despite the cost.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete are obedient to God’s call and willing to stick with their personal convictions. They stand on principle, regardless of the situation and regardless of the consequences.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – But I do not make my life of any account nor dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 LSB

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