For some time I have been considering buying me another MMA shirt. I wanted to buy a shirt from one of those obscure brands that no one really knows about and would separate me from the person who on occasion watches MMA or may not know anything about the sport but the shirt looks cool. So I searched for a few brands and there were some shirts I liked. I also thought about wearing my "Jesus Didn't Tap" shirt (the one given to me when I became the first "sponsored" worship leader by said brand- more on that later) and so I realized that this was the stupidest idea ever. I like the idea of having gear related to my hobby but not to make an image for myself in such a way.
Something similar happened to me a couple of years ago. Now what I am going to say is going to sounds crazy and possibly offensive but this is just what I was convicted of and I am not saying it is wrong if you do it. Anyway, a few years ago I found this website that sold Christian shirts and I wanted so bad to buy one. This is when I was 310 lbs. and I wanted a yellow shirt with the phrase "I BIG" which would have been perfect for 2 reasons: 1) I was big and 2) I BIG stood for "I Believe In God." I never bought the shirt and I am kind of glad I didn't.
I have outgrown the Christian shirt phase and I hope the MMA/JiuJitsu phase passes soon. I realized that as a Christian I wanted to be known for more than a quirky saying on my shirt. I wanted people to not have to read my shirt to know that I was a follower of Christ but rather that they'd see the love of God first. At that point in my life I was not ready to fully give God control of some things in my life thus the shirt was just a front. I am not opposed to wearing "Christian apparel" but I don't let my identity be defined by a shirt.
When it comes to MMA I don't wanna be the guy with the coolest shirt who gets the snot kicked out of him in the first round. Actually, I want to be known for being a coach (too late for me to actually fight) who cares for his students and wants what is best for them whether it is in the cage, the ring or the mat or out in the street. Maybe one day my and my team (when I get a team) will all wear Christian MMA shirts that say....
As a person I am no better than you. As a fighter.... we'll find out!
Peace!
*ps - a walk-out t-shirt (from the title of the post) is a special edition t-shirt that a fighter wears to each one of their fights, they usually have the fighter's name, the event they are fighting in (ufc 110, strikeforce, etc) and more sponsors than a Nascar driver.
*1st shirt from Cage Fighter available at cagefightermma.com
*2nd shirt from Kerusso available at Kerusso.com
