I recently took an inventory of my collection of books written about different aspects of Nebraska football. Counting media guides (which include every guide from 1963 to 2022) the Horn Husker library has grown to 170 books.
The oldest dates to 1940, which was published by the Omaha World-Herald commemorating the 50th anniversary of Cornhusker football (but as you know, during the first 10 years of the program the gridiron boys were known as the Bugeaters).
A publication, which may catch you by surprise, is titled “Daily Devotions for Die-Hard Nebraska Cornhuskers Fans.” It is written by Ed McMinn, a retired pastor who entered the ministry after a career as a journalist and a college professor of English and journalism.
In the eyes of some folks, Nebraska football is sinful. It is a big-time business where the head coach earns millions of dollars, and his assistants earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a year while University professors earn only a fraction of that amount. Certain players have run afoul with the law but still maintained their scholarships and starting positions. Players have been accused of using steroids and receiving under-the-table payments from overzealous boosters.
The list goes on.
While most of those facts and accusations have been documented in some of the books I possess, such as “Big Red Confidential – Inside Nebraska Football” by Armen Keteyian (1989), there is the spiritual side to Husker football, too.
“Daily Devotions for Die-Hard Nebraska Cornhusker Fans” is a wonderfully written book that focuses on how the trials and tribulations of some Husker players relate to the life of Jesus. There are 95 stories that ask you to first read a recommended Bible passage and then return to McMinn’s Nebraska Cornhusker devotion book.
Here’s an outline of one of the book’s devotions. You are asked to read Matthew 24: 15-31 and then read the short chapter in McMinn’s book titled, “I Told You So.” It focuses on former Husker linebacker Jim Pillen promising Tom Osborne during the 1978 NU vs. Oklahoma game that Nebraska’s defense would make a huge play that would lead to NU defeating the top-ranked Sooners.
It happened.
With 3:27 left in the game, Pillen recovered a Billy Sims fumble at the NU three-yard-line. The Huskers were able to run out the clock and win the game, 17-14.
Pillen could have easily told Osborne, “I told you so.”
McMinn then segues that story into the previously read Bible verses. He writes: “In our pluralistic age and society, many view truth as relative, meaning that absolute truth does not exist. However, in speaking the truth, Jesus told everybody exactly what he was going to do: come back and take his faithful followers with him. Those who don’t listen or don’t believe will be left behind with those four awful words, ‘I told you so,’ ringing in their ears and wringing their souls.”
This is just one of 95 short chapters where McMinn ties Husker sports to biblical stories.
There are more.
A book published in 1999 titled “Lessons from Nebraska Football — Inspirational Stories & Lessons from the Gridiron,” was penned by Gordon Thiesen and Mark Todd. It shares players’ trials and triumphs with relatable Bible verses.
Mark Todd also wrote, “Hearts of Champions” in 1997. This book presents over 20 individual stories of faith and character development within the lives of men inside the Nebraska football program. Players and coaches elaborate on the impact God has made in their lives. Tom Osborne shared how he found stability and purpose amidst the pressures of coaching NCAA football and how his faith helped him cope with the Lawrence Phillips ordeal. Former assistant coach Ron Brown shares his passion for conviction and his relationship with Christ both on and off the football field.
Brown was once asked: how would Jesus Christ perform if he played linebacker for the Big Red?
“He would hit the opposing ball carrier as cleanly and as hard as he could,” Brown responded. “Then he would help that player to his feet and offer a word of encouragement. He would play within the rules and do so for the glory of God.”
In my collection of 170 Nebraska football books, there are books that focus on the Big Red spirit and those that share the spirit that lies within the Big Red.
Both types warm my heart and enrich my soul.