It's All About the YAC

 
Many folks ignorant of sports lingo probably have no idea what YAC is. YAC, or "Yards After Catch," is a statistic recorded on the football field. You see, in football, a receiver is not only graded by how many receptions he makes, but also by what he does following them.

Growing up, I always wanted to be a quarterback. I grew up watching Joe Montana, Jim Kelly, Troy Aikman, and Bret Farve. When I was able to play football in junior high, that is the position I tried out for. It was much tougher than I thought. The QB not only had to remember the proper footwork, play-actions and reads for each play, they were responsible for knowing where every other player was supposed to be and what they were to be doing.

I struggled with all that went into being a quarterback, and my coaches took note of that. But they also took note of my good hands. After some one-on-one conversations with the offensive coaches, I was persuaded to take a shot at tight end. I specifically remember one coach saying, "Everyone wants to be the quarterback, but no one realizes that he is only as good as the players around him. Who would Joe Montana be without a Jerry Rice and John Taylor?" That thought really resonated with me and after a few weeks, I proved myself at tight end, and was named the starter by game one.

I had a good year. I made many catches each game and even set a junior high record for most receptions in a game (I'm sure that record was short-lived). I loved gaining the respect of my teammates, especially my quarterback. His confidence grew each week knowing that when he threw the ball my way, it was going to be caught.

I loved being a play maker. I loved running my routes and beating my opponent for a catch. Catching the ball was great. There was no better feeling.... or was there?

It wasn't until my eighth grade year that I discovered how just catching the ball wasn't enough. As a matter of fact, other kids on the team started showing an improved ability to catch the ball as well, and my position was back up for grabs. Coaches wanted us to develop beyond the catch. "A good receiver doesn't stop after the catch."  Again, I took the advice to heart. I remember trying to see the defenders before I made the reception so I could elude them upon catching the ball. I stiff-armed, dragged and spun around defenders all for a few extra yards.

One play of that season still sticks with me. It was the first game of the season in front of the home crowd. It was a third-down play, and I ran a straight fly-pattern down the right sideline. I was able to shake off my defender at the line-of-scrimmage and about five yards into my route, my quarterback aired one out in front of me. It was a beautifully thrown spiral that sailed high and far enough to allow me to run under it in stride, make the catch and streak to the end zone for the score. That, of course, is how I would like to remember it... Everything happened just like that, except for the streaking to the end zone part. I had a clear, uninhibited path to the goal, but there was a major problem. I was missing my belt. I had forgotten to lock my gear in my locker and someone swiped my belt before the game. That posed a problem for a skinny, 87-pound kid wearing football pants two sizes too big. After making the catch, I felt my britches begin to sag. Instinctively, I grabbed them and tried pulling them up. My team was screaming and cheering me down the sideline and I sensed they were warning me. As I tried to readjust my pants, a defender caught up to me and made the tackle --I fell just short of scoring. I remember coming to the sideline, my teammates excited about my big play. Then my coach grabbed me by the face-mask and brought his face close up to mine and screamed, "You wanna know how to score a touchdown, Bickelhaupt?! RUN... don't stop! Just keep running!"

Wow. Here I thought I was something for making the catch. My coach saw it differently. He knew that there was something far better for me had I not been distracted and kept running. He wanted more for me.

As this memory came flooding back yesterday, I felt coach's advice was still applicable for me as a Christian running in this race of life. My heavenly Coach wants so much more for me. He is not satisfied with me just making the catch of salvation; He wants me to run full strength to the goal! What will you do after you catch salvation? Will you be satisfied with that accomplishment and give up on the rest of the play? Will you allow your formidable opponent to tackle you? Or will you fight to create YAC? What are you doing to advance the ball for Christ? There is a great reward for those who don't give up! Keep going! Run to the goal! The end of the Play Book warns us that Coach will not be pleased with lukewarm effort. That is not the "Yacking" we should be striving for as we endeavor to play for Him.