Once upon a time there was a Cleveland Browns fan dressed in all his fan-gear walking the streets of the Southside of Pittsburgh on his way to the big Steelers vs. Browns football game. As he prepared to cross a bridge over the Allegheny River, six street thugs attacked him. They robbed him, tore up his Browns clothing, beat him up badly, and left him bleeding and unconscious in an alley.
Shortly after the attack, a New England Patriots fan passed by who was in town for an important business meeting… “My team has won six Super Bowls,” he said to himself. “Surely I am far too privileged to help some lowly Cleveland Browns fan.” And he walked on by with his nose in the air and his hands in his pockets, as if he had never even seen the broken, wounded person.
A few minutes later, a Baltimore Ravens fan happened to approach the alley, but when he saw the bloody man lying in the alley, he quickly crossed the street to the other side. “If that is what this city would do to a Cleveland Browns fan, just think what they would do to me,” he thought. “Someone else will have to help him, I am just too frightened.” And he hurried away never looking back.
Finally, a Pittsburgh Steelers fan happened to come along. He was decked out in his Big Ben Roethlisberger jersey, his Troy Polamalu wig and twirling his Terrible Towel. He whistled as he walked happily along — and why not — he had box seats in the first row at the 50 yard line and his Steelers were going to whoop the Browns… but then… out of the corner of his eye… he saw the badly beaten up man.
All thoughts of his box seats fled him as he rushed over to the injured man. Carefully he helped him sit up, putting his arm around him to support him. Quickly he dialed 911 to report the crime and summon an ambulance. While waiting for the EMT to arrive, he upended a bottle of water on his prized Super Bowl XLIII Edition Terrible Towel and wiped the blood from the man’s face.
When the EMT’s arrived he stayed nearby, answering whatever questions he was asked, and when the beaten Browns fan was loaded into the ambulance for the ride to UPMC hospital he asked if he could ride along with him. At the hospital he stood outside of the emergency room door as the man was treated, and when he was admitted and transferred to his room; he sat quietly beside him in prayer.
Well, you will be happy to know the Cleveland Browns fan fully recovered! And over the six days that he remained in the hospital the Steelers fan visited him often, bringing him books and magazines, snacks and shakes, and even a vintage Brian Sipe jersey to replace his ruined one, and they became great friends. Sure, he missed the game that night, but his reward in helping someone in need was greater than any football game, besides, the Steelers had beaten the Browns 59-3 that night.
Now, which one of those football fans treated that Browns fan with dignity and compassion? Of course, the one who showed him mercy. May we be people who look for those who are hurting. May we serve them in love. And may we demonstrate the compassion of Christ. Wearing a Ben Roethlisberger jersey is optional.
Leave a Reply