When Coach Ron Brown faced several parents who believed their sons deserved more playing time, he told them, “How about me letting each of you have one vote for the starting running back, and my vote will be the tie-breaker?” That pretty much ended the debate!

One of the most common phrases heard during any sports season about a coach is, “The Coach is playing favorites.” Usually, I heard this feedback from parents when an athlete wasn’t playing much. For sure, it was the most common go-to complaint I heard during my years of coaching, especially when I became a head coach and not just an assistant coach.

I think most coaches would agree they play favorites, but not always for the reasons disgruntled parents or athletes believe. Rarely are the parents’ objective about their own child’s talent level. It can often appear that a coach unfairly plays favorites when giving more opportunities to athletes who show certain traits or playing styles that a coach prefers. It may feel unfair to the parent or athlete, but most of the time, it is not unfair treatment of an athlete.

James 2 – Golden Rule

James begins chapter 2 with a lesson about not playing favorites. He points his readers to a biblical reason not to play favorites in an Old Testament text in Leviticus 19:18—You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s the “Golden Rule” found in Matthew 7:12. James teaches prejudice and faith in Christ do not mix (2:1). He isn’t teaching that we must treat every member of your team exactly the same. He is saying we can’t mistreat someone based on superficial prejudices like their skin color or social status.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete believe in the “Golden Rule” by treating each member of their team the same way they would want to be treated. They approach each interaction with their team as an opportunity to demonstrate their love for them.