Has the Bible verse John 3:16 become too controversial to be displayed at sporting events?
Some might be asking that question after a basketball fan at the NCAA Tournament had his sign featuring the famous New Testament quote snatched away from him by a security guard.
The incident took place last week during Round One of the annual contest, as Siena College, a Catholic school, was taking on Ohio State at the UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.
CBS Sports coverage posted on YouTube shows the sign being confiscated by a security guard, who then folds it up several times so it can’t be seen.
“Well, there goes the First Amendment,” wrote one commenter online.
While the action may seem harsh, NCAA guidelines actually ban sports fans from displaying large signs, though the rule is not always enforced at some venues.
“They don’t allow signs at NCAA events because they block people’s view,” wrote another online commenter. “I for one am glad they don’t. It’s not pro ‘rasslin,’ it’s a real sporting event that people pay to see.”
Gene Jarman, a WND reader who works security at the arena, said the maximum size for a sign is just 8.5 by 11 inches.
“To get the sign into the arena, [the offender] had to fold it up and sneak it in,” Jarman told WND. “It should have gone in the same trash can where we put all of the student beer bottles before they entered the gates.”
 Florida quarterback Tim Tebow blazed New Testament verse of John 3:16 on his face Jan. 8, 2009, as he led the Gators to the BCS National Championship |
John 3:16 is considered to be among the most well-known verses from the Bible.
It states: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The verse has appeared in various forms at nationally televised sporting events over the years.
And as WND reported in January, after University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow inscribed it on his eye black for this year’s BCS National Championship game, the biblical reference became the most popular search item on Google.com.
“I am fortunate to have family members, coaches and teammates around who can help me stay focused on the right things for us to be successful,” Tebow said. “For me, every day includes four things: God, family, academics and football, in that order.”
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