WSJ Op-Ed: We Can All Learn About Forgiveness From Colorado Football Player Travis Hunter

Following up on last week's post, The Parable Of The Prodigal Son: Justice, Mercy, And Humility:  Wall Street Journal Op-Ed:  We Can All Learn From Travis Hunter: The Colorado Player Sets a Fine Example of Forgiveness, by  Mike Kerrigan (Hunton Andrews Kurth, Charlotte, NC):

[Colorado wide receiver and cornerback] was considered a Heisman Trophy contender before the matchup in Boulder with the Colorado State Rams. While running a route in that game, Mr. Hunter was injured by Rams defensive back Henry Blackburn. Mr. Blackburn drew a penalty for the hit, and Mr. Hunter went to the hospital with a lacerated liver. ...

I thought of Mr. Hunter recently, when Micah 6:8—“Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God”—was discussed in a homily at Mass. It occurred to me how often I foul up these simple instructions. I demand justice from others when I’ve been wronged but expect mercy for my many shortcomings.

While recuperating, Mr. Hunter expressed no bitterness over the hit, acknowledging that injuries are a part of the game. He accepted the basic fairness of his misfortune, saying of Mr. Blackburn: “He did what he was supposed to do. It’s football.” This is rare equanimity from a young man. It’s doing justice when it is hardest: on your own nickel.

Nor did he stop there. Perhaps to take pressure off Mr. Blackburn, who had received death threats over the hit, Mr. Hunter did something radical. He went bowling with Mr. Blackburn. ...

Mr. Hunter’s dual-threat athleticism is something to behold. His dual-threat character—doing justice and loving mercy—is something to emulate. He won’t always run so fast, but something tells me that when he walks, he’ll do so humbly, and not unaccompanied.

More on faith and forgiveness:

• ‘The Bear’ And Our Need To Belong (July 23, 2023)
• Pepperdine Caruso Law 3L Commissioning Service (Apr. 23, 2023)
• Tim Keller: Forgive — Why Should I And How Can I? (Nov. 20, 2022)
• The Incomprehensible Witness Of Forgiveness (Nov. 12, 2022)
• Pandemic Forgiveness (Nov. 6, 2022)
• Faith, Forgiveness, And Little League Baseball (Aug. 14, 2022)
• Esau McCaulley: The Dangerous Politics Of ‘We Will Not Forgive’ (Oct. 3, 2021)
• Tim Keller: The Fading Of Forgiveness — Tracing The Disappearance Of The Thing We Need Most (May 16, 2021)
• Ted Lasso, Law School Deaning, And The Power Of Forgiveness (Aug. 2, 2020)
• July 4th, Hamilton, And The Power Of Forgiveness (July 4, 2020)
• Forgiveness And Mercy: Our Most God-Like Power (Jan. 5, 2020)
• Forgiveness: Law, Faith, Christmas, And Hamilton (Dec. 8, 2019)
• From Moses To Hamilton: A Dean’s Journey (Aug. 31, 2017)
• C.S. Lewis & Lin-Manuel Miranda: How I Found My Faith In Mere Christianity And Deepened It In Hamilton (July 24, 2017)
• Hamilton And Law School Deaning (July 7, 2017)
• Forgiveness In Charleston (And Beyond) (June 21, 2015)
• Forgiveness (Oct. 25, 2013)

Op-Eds by Mike Kerrigan:

• Standing Back To See Suffering More Clearly (Apr. 30, 2023)
• The Gospel Of St. George (Costanza) (Feb. 26, 2023)
• Character Counts In The Super Bowl (And In Life) (Feb. 19, 2023)
• Presence (Not Presents): The True Gift Of Christmas (Dec. 25, 2022)
• St. Thérèse's 'Little Way' To Heaven — Small Deeds Done With Great Love (Oct. 16, 2022)
• What Football Can Teach Us About Death: Fathers Are Fullbacks (Oct. 3, 2022)
• Father's Day And The Prodigal Son (June 19, 2022)
• The Blessing Of A Mother’s Love (May 8, 2022)
• What Saint Dismas Can Teach Us About Good Friday And Easter (Apr. 17, 2022)
• Love, Duty, And A Friend’s Death (Aug. 1, 2021)
• God’s Jigsaw Puzzle Needs Every Piece (July 18, 2021)
• My Mom’s Christian Lesson: ‘Offer It Up' (May 16, 2021)
• God's Mirth Sanctifies Our Laughter (Apr. 25, 2021)

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