The NFL, Johnny Cash and Jesus

On March 21, 2012 the National Football League distributed some of the harshest penalties in its history.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell blasted the New Orleans Saints organization, Head Coach Sean Payton and former Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams for both propagating a system of paying out bounties for knocking out opponents and for also repeated lying to the NFL about this illegal plan.  This ruling darkens the Saints 2009 Super Bowl win and casts a pall upon the entire Saints organization.

In making this ruling Commissioner Goodell affirms the direction that Jesus taught in Matthew 23.25-26.  In this passage Jesus blasts the Pharisees for their lack of personal integrity.  Jesus clearly teaches that the what goes on in the heart is as important as your actions.  The Saints won the Super Bowl, but according to the NFL they did so while violating the rules.  Johnny Cash, a man well acquainted with breaking the law, wrote in his song 'God's Gonna Cut You Down' that 'What is done in the dark will be brought to the light.'  Jesus and Johnny -meet the Saints and the NFL.