One of the reasons that sports draws us in is because of the ways in which it tells certain stories so well – stories like that of Joe Flacco, the thirty-nine-year old quarterback of the Cleveland Browns who just six weeks ago was sitting on his couch pondering the end of his career.
This weekend, Flacco will be taking the Browns into the NFL playoffs – coming off four consecutive games in which he has thrown over 300 yards. Flacco—who a few months ago was pondering retirement—is now being spoken about as the come-back player of the year.
The 2023-2024 Browns are themselves an exciting story of resiliency. The team has been mired by injuries – losing a star quarterback, a star running-back, all but two members of the offensive line, numerous defensive players and then, a few weeks ago, both the kicker and the punter in one game. Despite these immense losses, the team has continued to win and is now entering the playoffs as a potential Super Bowl contender.
We love these stories of underdogs succeeding– they remind us that anything is possible and that, should we work hard enough, should we believe in ourselves, we too can triumph. Especially in times where hope feels bleak, where prospects seem dim, these stories of underdogs speak to us.
This week, in our Torah portion, we learn how Moses is tasked by God with going down to Egypt and demanding that Pharaoh let the Israelites go. The text reveals that Moses is overwhelmed by the assignment. He fears that no one will listen to him and that his slow speech will lead to failure. Moses has fled from Egypt after striking an Egyptian taskmaster and has spent years in hiding. He is an old man and at this point, he is most certainly an underdog – one who seems unlikely to do great things. Yet it is this very same Moses who ends up going to down to Egypt, helping to deliver the Israelites from slavery and then leading them through the desert to the promised land.
Am I comparing a physically-limited aging Moses to an nearly retired aging Joe Flacco and an injury-ridden Cleveland Browns team? Yes, I believe I am.
But consider – both the Brown’s current season and Moses’ ascent to leadership present us with stories that move and inspire – helping us to believe that anything is possible and that even the most unlikely of protagonists can end up becoming our most sacred of heroes.
And so yes, Moses, Joe and the Browns all have something in common.
Shabbat Shalom and yes, go Browns!
