In sports or ‘game of life,’ compassion supersedes competition

Throughout the back-and-forth basketball game, the opposing coaching from each benches had been needling the lead official and loudly bickering between themselves in regards to the rough play from the players.

But within the closing minutes of the tense contest, the shouts from the 2 benches and the cheering from the group dropped to hushed silence when two opposing players collided and fell to the ground, one attempting to defend the opposite on a shot, the shooter writhing in pain and the basketball falling far wanting the ring on the foul.

From the opening tipoff, Klay — the defender mentioned above — had displayed the talents that set him apart as one in all the higher players on the court, dribbling and driving through defenders for straightforward layups for the sport’s first two baskets after which firing crisp, off-the-drive passes to teammates for 2 more scores to seemingly set the tone for a lopsided final result.

But as Klay took a activate the bench late in the primary half, the opposite team clawed back to tie the rating at intermission, setting the stage for the frantic second half.

Once again, Klay began to take over, hitting a few longer jump shots and driving nearly at will past opposing players. But those driving shots from the lane rolled off or glanced off the rim, with Klay retreating to play defense with grimaces of disappointment and frustration.

It was on defense and jumping to stop a driving shot when Klay collided along with his opponent, sending each to a crumbled heap on the ground. With all of the on-court tensions and sideline emotions serving as a powder keg, would this be the explosive moment?

As he had previously in the sport, Klay hopped to his feet and walked over to the opponent to supply a hand of consolation and assistance. But his opponent remained on the ground in pain, gripping at his chin. Klay remained nearby as coaches rushed to the fallen player, comforting and offering him aid.

While being helped off the court and toward the bench, the injured player learned that the official had awarded two free throws on the shooting foul, and he asked if he could stay in to take them and proceed playing.

Positioned on the lane near the free-throw line, Klay waited for his opponent to shoot — and make — his first free-throw attempt. Klay then quietly stepped over to supply a handshake of goodwill and acknowledgement, quickly returning to his place on the blocks. The transient gesture was done and accepted without fanfare — but poignant for the few onlookers who did occur to note.

What happened the remaining of the best way — the sport’s final minutes and Klay’s team winning — paled as compared to that moment.

In his April 2023 general conference message titled “Peacemakers Needed,” President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, invited listeners to “examine your discipleship inside the context of the best way you treat others” and to “interact with others in a better, holier way.”

One of the best ways to discover a real follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people, he said. “How we treat one another really matters. How we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work and online really matters.”

Because of conflicting circumstances, Klay’s parents couldn’t attend and watch his game. But a grandfather had caught a number of video clips on a cellphone and shared them while recounting the highlights.

And Klay’s best move of the day wasn’t one in all his driving layups or assisting passes, the parents were told. Rather, it was the transient moment when — despite personal frustrations, the sport’s percolating emotions and the hard foul — Klay progressed to shake his opponent’s hand and defuse any lingering feelings.

Rather than turning inward, Klay as a substitute had turned outward to his opponent, with compassion superseding competition.

It was a mature act that, within the words of President Nelson, really mattered — coming from 8-year-old Klay.

Like us all, he’ll have a lifetime of ongoing opportunities — not only on playing fields but within the proverbial “game of life,” each as a participant and as a spectator — to look at his discipleship inside the context of how he treats others and to interact with them in higher, holier ways.

— Scott Taylor is managing editor of the Church News.