NFL Lockout Horror Evaded!

NFL Lockout Horror Evaded.

                Society has been saved! The National Football League (NFL) lockout has ended and players and owners have come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. For fans of the NFL this is wonderful news. The season will proceed, and players and owners will once again be able to accumulate millions of dollars for their hard work.

Ray Lewis

                The great news however, is that society will now be safe.  Safe from the predicted crime wave that Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis warned us would be coming if the season did not proceed. Lewis knows a bit about crime as he was present during a homicide in which he never clearly explained  what happened, so when he speaks about crime I listen. After all he is in touch with those groups of people more than I am so if he says that if the NFL doesn’t play it would create a major crime wave as fans would have nothing else to do but commit crimes, I listen.  It makes sense because if I can’t watch games on TV on Sundays I guess my only other option is to knock off a liquor store or commit some other crime.  Some people would mistakenly believe that people may choose to do something like go to a beach or a lake or spend time with their family if no games were on. Others might fantasize that people might  get to know their next door neighbors and create real communities as they might be outside working or playing rather than being glued to the television.  However, they would most likely be wrong as Lewis probably has a better sense of the pulse of the average football fan.

Mackenzie McGrady Hurdling a Rooster!

                After all, I am sure that Roger Goodell and the marketing departments for the NFL and its teams would concur that the primary target group for NFL fans is those who commit crimes when bored.  After all aren’t those the people who will be spending their hard earned, or rather stolen, money on the variety of products that sponsors hawk on television and at the games? What organization would not be proud when their team gear is represented in mug shots? I haven’t done the research yet, but I am assume that Lewis did since he has spent time in higher education at the University of Miami, probably as a criminal justice major, that if we look at statistics we would see a sudden decrease in crime every fall. As football season ends in the late winter/ early spring we probably would see a huge spike in criminal activity as the NBA obviously can’t detract fans violence prone behavior as well as football. I am so happy that the lockout is over as I now feel as if I will be able to once again walk the streets in safety, leave my doors and windows wide open, and leave my keys in my car where I won’t lose them anymore. America is once again safe from crime! Way to go players and owners for your wonderful civic consciousness!

Adrian Peterson

                In other ways though, I am sad that the lockout is over. Despite the great lack of crime we are about to experience, we have once again signed players to contracts that still place them into an unacceptable social position. As Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings running back, so aptly observed during the lockout players are once again relegated to a form of slavery that is unacceptable for any forward thinking person. After all, how are these players supposed to live free lives when they have to live in the city where their employment is for six months out of the year?  I mean imagine if you were working for Microsoft and they actually expected you to move to the Seattle area just because their headquarters are their? How crazy would that be?    Peterson is right,  Kunta Kinte would be appalled at his working conditions.  How could any owner expect his players to live under such horrific conditions?  Paying them millions of dollars per year only to trade or sell them when their productivity wanes? What do these owners expect these players to do save up some of the money they pay them for the day when their playing days are over?  No I am afraid that as fans we will once again be mesmerized by the thrill of the game and completely forget the inhumane lifestyle that the owners force these players to undertake. The end of the lockout means that we will unfortunately be condoning modern day slavery once again.

Christopher Watkins and Mackenzie McGrady

                Most importantly I will miss the lockout for the entertainment value that it provided.  During the season when players are under contract they are restricted in what they say to the media. They self impose bans on speech in order to not provide bulletin board material for other teams.  Management also has greater control over messages as they want to protect their brand image. So in this era of coach and player speak it is hard to get great quotes from players like Peterson and Lewis. So unfortunately we will be back to the standard lines such as “we just need to step it up on defense next week because they are a great offensive team.”

                I do have to admit though that here in Europe the lockout has been an amusing side show as it has been an exciting time for football. The USA once again won the World Championships in Austria in July, National leagues have been crowning champions all over Europe and the game continues to grow and develop. We at the Butchers are once again in a hunt for a seventh consecutive championship with a very young and inexperienced team who continues to show great enthusiasm for the game. Last night we defeated the Lapeneranta Border Knights in an incredibly exciting game 48-45. Last time we played them we came from behind to win 60-54. This time the Knights went up 45-41 with 37 seconds left  in the game on a  pass from Dan Selway from Redlands University to Nate Kmik their new import from Mount Union College and the NCAA D-III player of the year. However due to rules determining playoff position they needed to beat us by 7 points to get homefield advantage in the playoffs so they went for it and tried an on side kick. We recovered and scored a touchdown with 17 seconds left. They were not finished however as they drove down the field and were threatening to tie the game until with 8 seconds left Layton Brown stepped in front of a Selway pass and intercepted it to seal the victory and a guaranteed second seed in the playoffs and home field advantage. It was a great game for URHO TV and an exciting battle to the end. The television ratings here continue to rise as well so maybe we can link a drop in the crime rate here in Finland to the growth of the game. Blessings to you!

One of two safeties for our defense against the Helsinki Roosters

Sobs In Switzerland

Emma, Brenna and Grayson at Mummiworld

It is raining today in Zurich, and not only outside. Inside the terminal I sit and sob. Tears flow as I watch the Air Canada flight bound for Toronto and eventually onto Seattle rise into the sky taking my kids back home to the states after a wonderful 2 ½ week  holiday in Finland. They arrived on July 6^th and the last few weeks have been filled with busyness, crowded living conditions in my studio apartment in Porvoo, conflict between siblings, joy, laughter and hugs.  I have a friend here who chides Americans for always saying “I love you.” This is actually a fairly common stereotype of us yanks that we effuse emotions at the drop of a hat and say things that we half mean. This is in stark contrast to the Finnish way of dealing with things in a precise and matter of fact manner. If you say this was the greatest experience of your life then it had better be exactly that, THE GREATEST. While I understand the honesty in the Finnish approach it also leaves much room for emotions to be expressed openly, for praise to be lavished, and appreciation felt. While we Americans often are “over the top,” today’s tears are heartfelt as I already miss my kids and I do love them very much. In fact watching them fly away I wonder do they know how much? Have I demonstrated it enough? It was so hard to watch Grayson fight back the tears and wipe them away in his blanket while holding his new Mummi as he boarded the plane.

Grayson using his artistic abilities

                This is especially a hard question for me as I have had to be away from them for the better part of 6 months each of the last two years, as I coach overseas. Don’t get me wrong I am no hero serving my country in a foreign land in the armed forces. The dedication of those men and women is incredible and they deserve all the credit they can get. I am simply a football coach trying to eek out a living coaching a game that I love and influence people with the reality that God loves them. I hope that in that process I can also overcome some of the stereotypes of Americans that foreigners have and represent my country in some small way with the sharing of our culture through a very American sport. However, my feelings of sadness being away from my kids are no less real than those serving in our military. And if the stereotype of being overly emotional is judged on my feelings today I will not be able to overcome that! The joy I had when they were here was immeasurable. Being able to walk around Porvoo, have lunch with them every day at Walgrens, go to the grocery store and just live a daily life in Finland was wonderful. As was swimming in the sea, going to Mummiworld and visiting historic sites. But nothing compared to having them come and hug me at half-time and at the end of our games as they endured the heat, and yes at times boredom of watching a game. For a 5-year-old a football game can seem like an eternity!

Brenna at the Porvoo Fire Station

                Those hugs, those whispers of ”I love you daddy” and the smiles of wonder as they tried to figure out Finland will keep me going for many more weeks. I am so thankful to be able to share my life here with them, but as the plane flew away those same memories brought about streams of tears as I realized how wonderful they were. We have a game tomorrow and I won’t be getting those halftime hugs and that makes me sad.

Emma and Mummimaiden

               But it also reminds me that while what I am doing is important in many ways, it is still a game. If we lose a game will I feel badly? Yes, will it hurt like I hurt right now, it shouldn’t. You see these children of mine remind me of what is really important-relationships. We hope this year to win a record setting seventh straight Finnish National Championship, a dominant display in any sport at any level. However, this season has already been a wonderful one as I feel like we have bonded as a team and developed solid lifelong relationships. This young team has come together in a spirit of fun, challenge and adventure and has challenged once again for the top spot in Finnish American Football. While the accomplishment may be monumental it is overshadowed in my mind by the development of those relationships that we share. The memories of traveling , the stories that will be told for years to come about times with guys on the field and off are what this experience is really all about.

Brenna showing off her chipmunk cheeks

 Having the team rally around me as my kids were here was wonderful. The American players Layton, Mac, and Chris were so giving in allowing us use of the car when we needed it. Videos were generously loaned so that kids could enjoy movies such as Harry Potter, Shawn the Sheep, Ice Age,and Cars during spare times at the apartment. Play dates and swimming with other kids also helped in my kids cultural experience and added to the fun.  I will always remember this time and treasure it, not only for what it meant to my kids but for the lessons I learned on perspective.

                The sun pokes out occasionally here in Zurich as I write this and my disposition lightens at times. I think of those times I have had and while I would like to have more of them I also am so thankful for what I did receive in time, warmth, and being able to be a dad while in a difficult spot occupationally and relationally. Thanks Butchers for the gift of my kids for the time they were here! What a blessing! It still makes me cry though!  Americans. Go figure!

Grayson and I in Turku

The Groke and Mummins!

Hometown Heroes

Hometown Heroes

Porvoo Old Town

We have been blessed at the Butchers with great players who not only have spent the time and effort to hone their skills at playing American Football but also are great people. I want to introduce you to three of them who have had incredible careers on the field but also have served their communities honorably off the field as well.  Pasi Lautala, Sebastian Karbin and Ville Kurvinen all have professions that are essential to the safety of the community but they have also demonstrated incredible passion for the game of football.

Last week in my talk with the team before the game I used a quote from the legendary painter Vincent Van Gogh who declared, “Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck. Your profession is what you were put on earth to do. With such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling.”  These three exhibit this sense of passion for the game of football and it has been a calling. They have delighted fans with their exploits and yet they are excellent at what does bring home their paychecks as well so I would like you to get to know them.

Pasi Lautala #73

             Pasi Lautala is the heart and soul of our offensive line this year. Pasi was awarded our “Butcher of the Year” award last year for the player who gave the most to the team and exemplified the ideals and character of excellence that we strive for. Pasi is not only a great player for us, but is also a board member with many management responsibilities off the field as well. He would argue that this is what makes him late to everything but we all know that is not the truth! In fact if Pasi is ever early to something it is because someone told him the wrong time or there is food that he is looking forward to! regardless of his tardiness there is no one on the Butchers with a kinder and gentler heart and he has done everything in his power to move the team forward.

Lautala blocking against the Border Knights

            On the field, Pasi plays our right guard position. Last year he was flanked by one of the greatest players in Finnish football history, Seppo Evwaraye, who played at Nebraska, which I won’t hold against him, and with the Minnesota Vikings. This year with Seppo’s retirement, Sami Moilanen has joined us and takes Seppo’s position. I did not realize that this spot also holds the responsibility for getting Pasi to and from practices and games but apparently it does. Sami does have an advantage this year however as he has a car and can dictate times to Pasi when he is driving whereas poor Seppo was at the mercy of “Pasi time!” Pasi has been honored by being named to the Finnish national team for many years and has played in many European and World Championships representing his country. Pasi plays through injury and pain every week and I am amazed at his dedication.

            Off the field Pasi is a police officer with the K-9 unit. He has trained dogs and works with them on his shifts. His latest dog is a German shepherd who usually listens to Pasi, but not always, which can be quite amusing. Pasi was on the police force here in Porvoo for many years but this year was transferred to Vantaa about a 50 KM drive each way for him every day. He now works there with another of our lineman who Pasi recruited to play, Kristoffer Lind, who as a rookie has performed wonderfully this year. Whether through routine patrols or in a situation such as the McDonalds shootings here last year, Pasi has proven to be a wonderful public servant. He has a beautiful wife, who should be awarded sainthood for her patience with all of his football pursuits, and two lovely little girls.  As a dad, husband, police officer, friend and football player he is exemplary, and his passion for all of those things cannot be stronger! Kiitos Pasi!

Sebastian Karbin #68

            Sebastian Karbin, or Seba, is an amazing football player. As Mackenzie McGrady, our American QB, commented after his first practice with Seba, “I am sure glad he is on our team, holy crap!” Seba is our outside linebacker and along with Tero Kontiainen and Layton Brown forms a very formidable line backing crew. But Seba stands out for his bone crushing hits. Last season Seba learned how to read the lineman in front of him and became better at using his hands to get off blocks and since that time has become a nightmare for other teams. He was named the Maple League’s defensive player of the year last season and also played exceptionally well in the European Championships for Finland. Seba demonstrates natural power, speed and a love for hitting that is a rare combination. He plays through incredible pain and this year has been playing on a dislocated big toe for much of the season. In another game he had a fever of 104 degrees F but played out of his mind. In our first game this season against the Roosters he dominated the game and created the fumble and picked it up for the games only touchdown. Oh, and just for good measure he gave the QB a nice shove before jumping on the football to score.  He is one of those players on defense who can set the tempo of a game with a big hit or crucial turnover. We almost did not have Seba this year as he was contemplating retiring. I am so glad he didn’t and I hope our fans are as well because he is at the peak of his game and every week delivers a show that is spectacular.

Seba creating a fumble and recovering it for a touchdown.

            Off the field Seba also serves as a police officer here in Porvoo. He is well respected in the community and is a credit to the police force. It is always a welcome sight to see Seba pop out of his police van and come walking over to say hi. I don’t know if any criminals know what would happen if they tried to run from Seba as they would feel the pain for days if he tackled them.  Seba, along with Pasi has competed in the World Police Games many times as well. These are athletic competitions for police officers from around the world and this year  they are in New York City. Seba is one of those players who you love as a coach because they give you everything they have and they make you look really good both on the field and off! I am honored to work with Seba and told him after last week’s game that they should put up a statue of him on the waterfront!

Ville Kurvinen #44

            Ville Kurvinen is a phenomenal receiver. He runs great routes, has excellent hands and wonderful body control. He will make the clutch reception when a game is on the line and also comes up with amazing diving catches. Ville has also played on the National team here in Finland and was recognized as one of the top 50 greatest Finnish players of all time by the SAJL (Suomi American Football Federation) at their 30^th anniversary in 2009. Ville has also played defensive end, punter, and kicker for us! He is an amazing athlete and incredibly humble. He has the boyish good looks of former All-pro San Diego Chargers Receiver Lance Allworth and plays very similar. Of course he will have no idea who that is as I am showing my age, but trust me it is a compliment.  Ville also blocks well which says a lot about a receiver in my book. Ville is such a joy to be around because he is very even keeled, has a great disposition and always has smile on his face, a rare thing for a Finn indeed. He loves to play!  He is not only our big play receiver he is our best possession receiver as well. In one game a few weeks ago there was a crucial 3^rd down pass that we needed to complete. The ball sailed high right toward me on the sidelines and I instantly had bad thoughts. But then out of nowhere, Ville jumped up, snagged the ball and got his feet back down in bounds to extend the drive.  It was a game winning catch as it allowed us to keep moving the ball and run out the clock when we were deep in our own territory.

Kurvinen with a great catch!

            Ville, like Pasi and Seba also serves his community off the field. However, Ville is a fireman here in Porvoo. Ville has helped on many different emergencies here in Porvoo including the Porvoo Cathedral fire a few years ago. He has been kind enough to show my kids and I around the firehouse on tours which we loved. He is truly an amazing person with a dedication to the things he does which is second to none!

Getting ready before a game

            Often here in Europe, the American imports get most of the glory and they are usually deserving for their on the field performances. However I am proud to be able to highlight these local heroes of the gridiron as they are the heart of Finnish American Football. They not only play at extremely high levels often matching that of their American counterparts but they also serve our community with grace, humility and courage! I also am proud to call them friends.

The Porvoo Cathedral

Fragrant Offerings

The other day I was walking down the street and I caught a whiff of lilacs blowing in the breeze! It reminded me of home, the "Lilac City"-Spokane, Washington! Is this truly significant? Probably not, but I was struck by the experience in a new way as I reflected upon it later. When we smell something that catches our attention we usually have two possible responses depending upon the fragrance and our own personal reactions. One is to savor the smell, the other is to run from it and evade it. When we catch a whiff of something that is displeasing to us we attempt to get out of the area. We have a physical reaction. We will grab our nose to stop the smell from emanating in our nostrils. We may even gag if the smell is really bad. I remember growing up in Oregon and there were two places that we hated driving by as kids. One was in Springfield going towards the McKenzie River and Bend. The other was along I-5 in Albany. Both places had paper mills along the highway and the smell was of rotten eggs on steroids. We would try to hold our breath until we passed the area which could be a long time if the wind was blowing just right. To this day I have negative memories of those places. Both mills have changed and no longer emit the same horrible smell, yet I can still remember vividly the stench. Here in Porvoo we have our own emission violater also coincidentally named Mackenzie but that is a different matter as it is a biological process and not a chemical reaction. At least I hope! LOL!

Mac! Our Emissions Expert!

However when we encounter a pleasing smell it is a different matter. We linger. We still have a physical reaction. When I smell something lovely I will stop what I am doing and pause to take it in. We enjoy it. Watch someone when they smell something good They smell, they stop, they smile. It is an automatic reaction. We don't just pass by! Our whole body stops and pauses, often lifting our nose and closing our eyes to enhance the sensation. We take in that smell whether it be from flowers, fresh chocolate chip cookies, or a perfume that is familiar.

I was reading in Philippians 4:18-19 shortly after my encounter with the lilacs and came across a passage where Paul is communicating with the church in Phillipi about the gifts that they had sent to him while he was in prison.  He writes, "they are a fragrant offering (emphasis mine), an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." As I read this I immediately thought of my experiences with fragrances and a picture of God's response to our gifts came to mind. I think we often picture God as a banker checking to see that the finances are in order and that the gifts have been delivered. In essence, he is there to make sure that we have paid what we owe, and this darkly gloomy portrait of God is very common.

The picture that this verse brought to mind though was radically different. It is of God stopping in his tracks and smelling the gifts that we have brought, of really taking in the fragrance of the goods.  I imagine a shop keeper in an outdoor marketplace. It is lively, sounds and smells are everywhere. People are doing business all around, buying and selling things, getting ready to make meals or finding necessities and luxuries. It is crowded and the hustle and bustle dominates. But in comes a local farmer with fresh fruits and flowers to deliver to the shopkeeper. The farmer presents his gifts-his goods- and in the middle of this hectic scene the shopkeeper stops as he catches a whiff of the fragrance. He pauses and takes a deep breath, a delighted expression spreading across his face. His eyes close and he breathes deeply with his head lifted upward to catch all of the incredible smells. He is pleased, for that moment nothing else matters, the offering is acceptable. It changes his perspective on the entire day, just as those moments do for us when we smell something that arouses the rest of our senses in our body.

Plumeria

The smell brings with it a flood of memories for us. Memories of people, places, and experiences. For me, the smell of Juniper trees brings back great memories of my time spent in Central Oregon, plumeria reminds me of dear friends and special times in Hawai`i, and chocolate chip cookies brings home the warmth of growing up and family.  These memories are tied to my experiences and make me who I am and can be unlocked through a simple smell. Experiencing those smells can bring back all of the sensations of those times. The richness of the experience can be summoned by the sweet fragrance.

Central Oregon and the Three Sisters 

When we offer our gifts to God, he responds to us in the same way; reliving again the love for his creation, his grace for us and his immeasurable joy. Just as those fragrances stop us in our tracks and flood us with memories and joy- Paul gives us a similar portrait that our gifts of love have on God. As players and coaches we have been given gifts that others may not have the opportunity to realize. Scripture teaches us to not only love God but also to love others as well.  I hope that as we share those gifts on the football field that those watching the games will see  and experience something that will be a positive, lasting memory for years to come. I know for many of us the smell of freshly mowed grass, warm summer days and  makara (sausages)  grilling from the concession stands can conjure up many of our experiences on the field surrounding American Football games here. I hope and pray that those smells will bring back wonderful memories of friendships, shared times, love expressed in action, goals challenged, and laughter, because when all is said and done that is what we will take away from this game.

Phung and I enjoying a respite during a game!

 

I hope that as I am able to use my gifts here in Finland that they would be an acceptable sacrifice and that God would every so often stop, pause and take a whiff! that he would not plug his nose but linger for a minute and say well done good and faithful servant. I know that there are many times when I stink up the place! But with God's grace I am hopeful that as I bring my meager offerings and offer them in love that the shopkeeper smiles, at least occasionally! I also hope that many years from now there will be a fragrance that wafts through the air that will bring a smile to the face of friends here in Finland as they remember the great times and memories that we are now in the process of building. Peace to you!

Jim

Central Oregon Wildflowers In the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness