2006 World Cup
Woody and Zizou

Not since 29 December 1978, did a sports giant exit his game in such an ignominious manner. The 1978 Gator Bowl was winding down. An Ohio State [OSU] forward pass was intercepted by Clemson linebacker Charlie Bauman. He was pushed out of bounds near the OSU bench. As Bauman was accepting congratulations from his teammates for sealing a 17-15 victory over OSU, a white haired man in a black ball cap pushed to Bauman and swung and struck him on the collarbone. A 65 year old man hitting a college student in a football uniform was no problem for the Clemson linebacker. But, that punch K.O.ed Woody Hayes’ coaching career.

Hayes was the legendary coach of OSU for 28 years. He amassed a 238-72-10 record, won 2 or 4 national championships [depending on whose awards you count] 13 Big Ten titles and coached in 8 Rose Bowls [4 in a row from 1972-75]. His career was illustrious, and the late coach is beloved to this day by legions of Buckeye fans. Yet to many, the only remembrance of Hayes is his striking Bauman at the conclusion of the Gator Bowl. His action was so embarrassing to the university that he was fired before he returned home with the team. The incident has placed a cloud over the accomplishments of the volatile coach that time has not yet removed.

In the World Cup final, won by Italy in penalty kicks, Zinedine Zidane met a similar ending. In the 110th minute of the match, Zizou, as he is affectionately known by his adoring French fans, head butted Italian defender Marco Materazzi. Matterazi went down immediately. After consultation, the referee showed Zidane a red card sending him off the field by disqualification thereby ending his game, his career [he announced the Cup would be his final matches] and the hopes of the French for victory.

Zidane is considered by many to be the finest player of his generation. He lead France to the World Cup in 1998, has won 3 World Player of the year awards, was player of the tournament while leading France to the Euro 2000 title, and in 2002 won a Champions League Title with Real Madrid. Stellar accomplishments all, yet his senseless head butt in front of 1 billion viewers will be all that many remember of Zidane. He showed he has better control of a soccer ball than his temper and the incident has cast a shadow over his brilliant career.

What is it that leads such successful men to self destruct? Zidane’s agent says it was a racial epithet that Matterazi shouted that lead to the foul. But does that condone a violent response? Woody never publicly apologized for his roundhouse. It doesn’t look like Zidane will either. In what must grieve the world football sanctioning body FIFA, Zidane won the Golden Ball for the MVP of the entire World Cup [In all fairness to the voters, ballots were cast at halftime; I am sure many, if not all, would like to vote over!]. Apologists for Woody and Zizou blame inner flaws and internal battles they could not overcome. They are correct, but fail to call it as it is…sin. We see it everyday in newspapers and on television…all the reactions to outward circumstances we do not like or cannot control resulting in crime, abuse, hate, violence and mean spiritedness. So, we shouldn’t be surprised at Woody Hayes and Zinedine Zidane’s reactions. They are sinners too. Only by God’s grace does it not happen more often.