It was in the 1,500 meter showdown with world record holder Jim Ryun that Keino's story became a legend. Suffering agonizing pain, he finally conceded to the doctor's orders and remained in the Olympic village on race day. But as the start of the race drew near, Keino became restless and boarded a bus to head to the Olympic stadium, only to get stuck in a traffic jam.

Keino jogged the final two miles to the stadium, arriving only moments before the race. Keino went out fast to neutralize Ryun's famous finishing kick. Ryun in the midst of a three year undefeated win streak finished 20 meters behind Keino.

In just a week Kip Keino went from a talented runner, to a national hero. In 1972, Keino followed up his previous Olympic performance with a gold in the steeplechase and a silver in 1,500 meters in the Munich Olympics.

After his Olympic triumphs, Kip Keino could have chosen to live a life of leisure and luxury. Instead, he and his wife Phyllis have put their time, energy, and financial resources into providing a home for abandoned children in Eldoret, Kenya. Their goal was to create a home for 25 children; today they have 86, and they always have room for one more abused or abandoned child.

Keino wears the role of national hero lightly. In his battered Jeep, Keino bumps past the stadium and streets named after him without acknowledging their existence. Keino whose mother died when he was three, says, "I don't want anyone else to grow up with that problem. I can't help everyone, but I do what is within my ability. While I am here, I should be mindful of those people who need help. They need food. They need clothing. They need shelter. They need love."

Keino's Olympic glory made him one of the most recognizable faces in sub-Saharan Africa. But despite his fame, Keino always remained humble and has used his fortune to help others. In a world dominated by "me-first" athletes, Keino and his wife Phyllis have shown grace, selflessness, and a heartfelt devotion to others can accomplish great things.

When the legendary Knute Rockne was the head football coach at Notre Dame, a column appeared in the schools newspaper with absolutely no clue as to who wrote the article other than the signature, "Old Bearskin."

When the players complained to Rockne about the severe criticism they received, Rock would just sympathize with them and encourage them to get out there and do better the next time.

The author of that column was never identified - that is, until Rockne died. And guess what? The column died with him! "Old Bearskin" was actually the players' best friend. He was aware of what happened to football heroes whose success on the field went to their heads. As "Old Bearskin," his criticism helped them avoid the pitfalls of pride and to strive continually to do better.

Don't be confused. Pride has two very different meanings in sport. On the positive side, pride is believing in yourself. It is never giving up no matter what the situation. Such belief drives champions to near perfection. This type of pride is developed when you leave all you have at a practice and a competition. It is giving all you have.

The negative element is pride unbridled. It is a wicked creation. It is a belief that you are more important than other teammates. It is when your ego grows, and your head gets too big. It screams out, "Look at me!" It is running to read yourr own press clippings to see how great you really are. It is wanting to be first in line, wanting to be recognized, while looking down on others.

John Wooden, the most successful basketball coach ever, led the UCLA Bruins to ten NCAA National Championships in twelve years. One time when Wooden called on another basketball coach he said, "Hello. My name is John Wooden. I understand your little school needs a coach, and I have a man in mind I would like to recommend." Wooden continued, "I've had a couple of years coaching basketball, and I thought you might like to take a recommendation I have."

A couple of years of coaching basketball! Wooden set the standard, then wrote a book on the subject. Isn't it refreshing that John Wooden didn't assume the man knew his voice or was impressed with his name! That is humility!

God's Performance Principle

The Bible, God's Playbook has a lot to say about humility/pride, so it must be important! Nothing is more distasteful to God than self-conceit. The first and fundamental sin aims at putting ourselves on the throne at the expense of God.

Bob Zuppke, a famous football coach at the University of Illinois, once said, "Two forces are at war in every fighter, the ego and the goal. An overdose of self-love (pride), coddling of the ego (self), makes bums of men who ought to be champions. Forgetfulness of self, complete absorption in the goal, often makes champions out of bums."

We become a "bum" when we try to take the throne from its rightful owner. God is a jealous God. He wants to be put first in our lives, but when we are full of ourselves we kick him off his rightful spot. Our goal then is to live a life of humility and to honor God.

What is the danger of pride?

The apostle Paul gives us a good idea how we should live our lives to keep pride at a distance:

Peter steps up to the plate and has this to say on the subject:

James has the last comment on the kind of athlete and coach God desires you to be:

Bowing down before the Lord means recognizing that our worth comes from God alone. To be humble involves leaning on his power and his guidance, and not going our own way. Although we do not deserve God's favor, he wants to lift us up and give us worth and dignity, despite all of our shortcomings.

"Fear of the Lord teaches a person to be wise; humility precedes honor" (Proverbs 15:33).

"The Lord mocks at mockers, but shows favor to the humble" (Proverbs 3:34).