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Key Bible Verse: The Lord knows I shouldn't have done it," he said to his men. "It is a serious thing to attack the Lord's anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him (1 Samuel 24:6). Bonus Reading: Job 1:6-8

Some linebackers don't play fair. They try to knock an opposing quarterback out of a game by driving their helmet into his ribs when his arm is up. Others look to hit an opponent's knees. If a player loses his knees, he loses his livelihood. Players who take cheap shots like these lack class—and integrity.

I refused to take cheap shots. If a guy had his back turned and wasn't part of the play, I wouldn't hit him. I'd go full-tilt within the rules. If the quarterback still had the ball, even though his back was to me, I would hit him hard, but high. I wouldn't hit him low. I'd hit him right.

Once I accidentally hit an opponent the wrong way and hurt him, but the referee didn't make the call. I told the ref, "It was my fault. I didn't do it on purpose, but I did it. You should penalize me." I wanted the ref and the other player to know I was honest and would take responsibility for my mistakes.

The ref thought I was nuts. If Buddy Ryan had known, he'd have yanked me back to the sidelines. I don't even want to think about what Ditka would have said.

I wanted to win, but only by competing at the highest level.

—Mike Singletary in Mike Singletary: One-on-One

My Response: In my line of work, I take "cheap shots" when I …

Thought to Apply: I value people with a conscience. It's like a beeper from God.  —Robert Orben (screenwriter, humorist)

Adapted from Mike Singletary: One-on-One (Regal, 2005) by permission.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Please give me the boldness, Lord, to demonstrate Your righteousness where You've placed me.

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