Golf legend Walter Hagan once quipped, “Nobody remembers who came in second.” Ordinarily, I’d agree with him. But for the last two days, we’ve looked at the unlikely friendship between Jesse Owens, the black American Olympian, and his chief rival turned friend, Luz Long, a white long jumper from Germany. They became friends at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin where Owens won the Gold in the long jump, and Long won the Silver.
After the Olympic games, Long wrote Owens acknowledging the impact Jesse’s witness had made on him. Believing he wouldn’t survive WWII, Long urged Owens to find his son in Germany and explain what unity among men of different ethnicities and backgrounds could be like.
Owens fulfilled his friend’s wish, finding and befriending Long’s son, Karl. The two of them developed such a meaningful relationship of their own that the younger Long asked Owens to be the best man at his wedding. Owens agreed. If the story ended there, it would be a great one. But the story of the friendship between Jesse and Luz continued with a friendship built between their families.
Seventy-three years after the Olympics in Berlin, the 12th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championship was held in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. That week, Jesse Owens’ granddaughter Marlene, Luz’s son Karl, and Luz’s granddaughter Julia gathered to represent their united families as they presented the top award to the winner of the long jump.
The special, lingering relationship between these men continues to inspire any who hear it. In October of 2022, the Silver Medal won by Long in those ’36 Olympics was put up for auction. The family called his medal, “The Beacon of Hope.” Apparently, the bidders agreed, as Luz’s medal sold for $488,435 – the highest amount paid for any second-place prize in any sport – EVER! You see, once in a great while, everybody remembers who came in second!
Long chose to be kind to Owens when the potential cost was very high. In return, history continues to honor the legacy of Luz Long. The story reminds me of this truth in Scripture, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor” (Proverbs 21:21, ESV). Do you desire a life others will honor? If so, be righteous and exceedingly kind to all. –Dave
(To receive these free daily devotions via email, subscribe here. You may listen to The Teachable Heart Podcast on Spotify, Pocket Casts, Podchaser, or Audible. For more information about the ministry, or to order the devotional books, visit: https://theteachableheart.com/books.)
The Teachable Heart blog 