I believe God created sports for a good reason. It's recreation.

The athlete and philosopher of sport, Luke Scott, once mused: “I believe God created sports for a good reason. It's recreation. It's something that we enjoy. It teaches us a lot as well... I believe God is a sports fan.” In these words, we hear more than casual reflection; we hear an ancient truth refracted through the lens of modern experience. Sports, according to Scott, are not mere games or diversions—they are divine instruments, crafted to teach, to delight, and to reveal the virtues embedded in human endeavor.

This quote speaks to the sacredness of recreation and play. In the philosophy of the ancients, leisure (scholé) was not trivial—it was a space for reflection, growth, and the cultivation of virtue. Scott aligns with this wisdom, suggesting that sports are both enjoyable and instructive. They teach perseverance, courage, discipline, and humility, while offering the delight of movement, competition, and communal engagement. To him, sport is a microcosm of life itself, where effort, failure, and triumph are intertwined in meaningful ways.

History is rich with examples of this insight. The Olympic Games of ancient Greece were more than athletic contests; they were celebrations of human excellence and divine favor. Athletes trained rigorously, yet the games themselves were offerings to the gods, a ritual of both joy and reverence. Like Scott, the Greeks recognized that physical contests were imbued with moral and spiritual significance, teaching lessons about courage, honor, and the fleeting glory of life.

The meaning of Scott’s words extends beyond physical activity into ethical reflection. To believe that God is a “sports fan” is to see divine presence in the passion, struggle, and achievement of humanity. Every sprint, every goal, every throw becomes a reflection of human striving, an echo of the creative and playful spirit that Scott attributes to the divine. It is an affirmation that effort, joy, and learning are sacred, and that engagement with sport can illuminate the higher purpose of existence.

Even in modern times, figures like Jackie Robinson demonstrate this principle. Beyond his immense skill in baseball, Robinson’s courage in breaking the color barrier embodied lessons of perseverance, moral fortitude, and social justice. His athletic achievements were inseparable from the ethical and human lessons they conveyed, echoing Scott’s belief that sport teaches as much as it entertains, preparing those who engage in it for life’s broader challenges.

The lesson here is profound: approach sports and recreation not merely as pastime, but as a medium for growth and reflection. In each game lies an opportunity to cultivate resilience, teamwork, humility, and joy. Practical actions follow naturally: participate fully, strive diligently, and observe the lessons embedded in every challenge and triumph. Embrace play as sacred, not trivial; see the divine—or the higher purpose—in both effort and enjoyment.

Thus, Luke Scott’s quote endures as guidance for athletes and non-athletes alike. It teaches that recreation and competition are gifts, channels through which human potential, virtue, and joy are expressed. Let us cherish the lessons of sport, participate with gratitude, and recognize that in effort, in play, and in the striving toward excellence, we partake in something transcendent, perhaps even divine—a reminder that life, like sport, is meant to be played fully, joyfully, and with purpose.