I feel that an apology is due for this somewhat self-indulgent post but I’m going to blame Kevin O’Brien for encouraging me in my sin! I’m sure that Kevin, as a man with more than a modicum of sanctity, will forgive me.

 

Last year, Kevin posted a long piece in effusive celebration of the St. Louis Cardinals winning the world series. Although, like Kevin, I indulge a passion for sports, in my case soccer, I try to keep this secular aspect of my life in the background, mindful of the danger of what the Romans called panem et circenses (bread and circuses), a metaphor for worldly distractions, such as material objects and entertainment, which keep us from contemplating more important things and that hamper our ability to live a life of virtue. I readily accept that my passion for Chelsea Football Club, which has been a part of my life since I was about seven years old, is sometimes a distraction from more important things. This was the case on Saturday when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the Final of the European Champions League, thereby winning the most prestigious club competition in the world and making the Blues of Chelsea the champions of Europe. Never in the 107 year history of the club have the team ascended to such heights. I hope, therefore, that I will be forgiven for getting a little carried away with the occasion. Furthermore, and as incredible and tenuous as it might seem, I can even put a good Catholic spin on the story.

 

The Catholic spin centres on one Chelsea play, the star striker, Didier Drogba. Please allow me to elaborate.

 

Rumours seem to suggest that Drogba is set to move to pasures new and that the European Champions League Final will be Drogba’s last game for the club. If so, what a finale! He scored the equaliser two minutes from normal time, then conceded a penalty kick three minutes into extra time, as he had against Barcelona in the semi final. On both occasions the subsequent penalty kick was missed/saved. Then, as the final coup de grace, it’s Drogba who takes the final and decisive penalty kick in the shoot-out. His final kick of the ball as a Chelsea player wins the most coveted club trophy in the world! Drogba is clearly a believing Catholic. He crosses himself whenever he scores, with the equalizing goal being no exception, and points to heaven as if to give the thanks where it’s due. There’s also a wonderful shot of the Chelsea players lining up anxiously during the penalty shoot-out. They are standing shoulder to shoulder, except for Drogba, who’s on his knees! It’s a contentious and sticky theological point but I can’t help feeling that the simple and devout faith of this one man might have swung the game in Chelsea’s favour!