Yesterday's BCS rankings left me more than a bit irritated. It's not simply that Texas was ranked third, nor that we were ranked below Oklahoma, though certainly that smarts a bit. But I don't mind being bested - that's part of the game. After all, we lost to Texas Tech because Tech played an outstanding game and, for that 60 minutes, simply outplayed us. I can live with that, and I sent a congratulatory email to my Red Raider cousin following the game.
What irritated me about the BCS rankings are what I fear are the lessons that will be taken. When Oklahoma beat Texas Tech - which was really the decisive game in this situation - OU played their star quarterback and Heisman contender, Sam Bradford, the entire game. At the end of play, the score was 65-21. A 44 point blowout.
Compare that to the Texas v. Texas A&M game on Thanksgiving. Despite the potential BCS implications of not serving up a blowout, Coach Mack Brown pulled Heisman contender Colt McCoy and, instead, giving playing time to the Sophomore quarterback, John Chiles.
The day after Thanksgiving, I was talking to a fellow from A&M about the game. Good natured ribbing overwith, this guy said, "You know, when Mack pulled Colt McCoy, that showed a lot of class. You guys could have really made things miserable for us."
This is an important part of competition - striving to win, but not to embarrass your opponent. It brings to mind Gen. Lee's definition of a gentleman,
The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman.
The power which the strong have over the weak, the employer over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly--the forbearing or inoffensive use of all this power or authority, or a total abstinence from it when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in a plain light
The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.
This is why my father still considers "ungentlemanly conduct" a mortal sin in sports. The object of the game should always to be win, but to win clean and with class.
Mack Brown is a true gentleman. Not only against A&M, but against Kansas, Coach Brown pulled his starting lineup when the game was clearly won. After the game, Coach Brown was very clear about his intentions:
"I'm worried a little bit that people aren't taking people out much in the fourth quarter," Brown said. "People are trying to score so many points. I hope that we go back and really work on sportsmanship and letting other kids play. I'm really concerned about that for our game."
I wish both OU and Mizzou the best of luck in the Big XII championship game. It would be unfair to the young men competing to say anything that might be read to impugn their character. They are performing their duty well, and competing like champions, all.
But I think we must take heed of Coach Brown's words. Competitive sports teaches values to coaches, players, and spectators alike. In our drive to win, to be the best that we can be, we must keep an eye on what truly matters. Winning at all costs will only result in Pyrrhic victories, and will ultimately undo us all.
The Texas Longhorns have shown incredible skill, determination, and, above all, class. Let's hope other programs are taking note.
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