For many Americans, the first Sunday in February is a very special day. It’s a day when some of the nation’s finest athletes embark on an epic battle for the chance to be the one, true champion of the season. If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m talking about the Super Bowl. Next weekend football fans across the nation will gather around the TV to celebrate the end of the season, and the crowning of a victor for the Vince Lombardi Trophy – the holy grail of football.
In celebration of this weekend’s battle, I thought it would be fun to explore the word champion in the weekend word.
cham·pi·on
ˈCHampēən/
Noun
- a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, especially in sports.
- a person who fights or argues for a cause or on behalf of someone else.
Verb
- support the cause of; defend.
It’s interesting to note that there are two different, but similar definitions of a champion. On one hand, a champion rises to the challenge and comes out on top of the competition. On the other, a champion can be a person who fights for a cause or person. This second definition stems back to the days of Kings and Queens, who would select champions to fight on their behalf. In this day and age, we don’t have kings and queens, but there’s still a need for champions, and not of the athletic kind. A champion can also be someone who fights for a cause – and that’s something anybody can do.
So while you’re busy watching your champions win at football, I challenge you to take a moment to stop and think about how you too can be a champion. I am a champion for orphaned children living in Uganda, and you can be too. When you make a donation to support a child in need or simply spread awareness/advocacy for Hope for Hearts and the children we care for, you serve as our champion. On behalf of all of us at Hope for Hearts, we are honored to have you as our champion.
Wishing You Victory,
Cristen
