Ask-it Basket

Q. Why don’t Adventist schools play tackle football?

A. "There are lots of reasons why most Adventist schools stay away from competitive sports such as football. One of them is the danger of getting hurt. Football is also a rather violent game and doesn’t really promote the values we believe in as Adventists. Another is that God has called us to be different from the world and not get involved in things that the world is obsessed with. Anything we spend our time doing should bring us closer to God , not farther away from Him.

The Bible and Spirit of Prophecy counsel us to be temperate in everything we do. Ellen White asks a few questions that we would also like for you to consider. “Every youth should ask himself , What influence will these amusements have on physical , mental , and moral health? Will my mind become so infatuated as to forget God?” (The Adventist Home , p. 512).

When Reggie Dupard , former running back for the Washington Redskins , became a Seventh-day Adventist , he eventually made the choice to give up his career in football , partially because of Sabbath conflicts. When his career ended , he said goodbye to what he calls “life in the fast lane ,” along with a $250 ,000-a-year salary and a lifestyle that included alcohol , drugs , and wearing an earring , which has become a status symbol among most male athletes today. Why did he give up football? Here it is in his own words: """"I didn't quit football because of the Sabbath. I quit football because I wanted Jesus in my life."""" We think that says it all."