by Joffre Swait
Many of you have heard of Eric Liddell, the famous Scottish sprinter of Chariots of Fire. He famously refused to run on Sundays. Not many know that he also played wing for the Scottish national rugby side. I wrote on why it makes sense that Eric Liddell was a consummate rugby player here.
Today there’s another name, one that few Americans know, that should be of great interest to Christians who love Sabbath feasting.
Euan Murray is a prop forward for the Scotland rugby team. He plays professionally for Worcester in the Premiership. Unlike Liddell, who was a pretty boy and played on the wing, Murray is one of the big ugly bruisers who play in the front row. What do they have in common? Besides rugby, that they won’t play on Sunday.
Rugby is traditionally played on Saturdays, although Friday nights and Sundays are becoming more common. Murray will not be representing Scotland against South Africa this coming Sunday.
And this is far from the first time. He missed a World Cup game against Argentina in 2011. He missed two matches in the all-important 6 Nations tournament this past spring.
But he is still on the team. When he’s available, he starts. God appears to be blessing his ugly mug.
A side note that I find hilarious. Backs, like Eric Liddell was, get to do all the fancy stuff and keep their hands clean. Forwards have to get their hands dirty. Here is a ten-second video of a faithful sabbatarian cheating outrageously (you’re not allowed to block in rugby).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPORDiDZQMY<>
