Mixed Martial Arts is quickly becoming one of the world’s fastest sports, and different disciplines are taking the forefront across America, catering to customers as individual markets evolve. Well, niche businesses like clothing companies aren’t far behind, and Philadelphia-based MMA outfitter Jesus Didn’t Tap is targeting a very specific group: Bible thumpers … or bible beaters … or holy warriors. Oh, whatever. Pick your own religious pun.
Jesus Didn’t Tap markets a full crop of some 20-odd t-shirts (they do both performance and loose wear) for men and a few odd items like shorts, hats and sweatshirts. All of them are adorned with brash biblical messages, ranging from the mundane — “Blood, Sweat and Prayers” — to the overt — “How Do You Train,” with a picture of Jesus hauling his own cross.
Regardless of the religious fervor incorporated in the message all of the shirts transmit a cruel undercurrent of sincere irony: How can a company revolving around the popularity of the world’s most gruesome fighting sport base in message in the symbolism and idolatry of history’s greatest pacifist?
In truth, it can’t. That’s precisely why Jesus Didn’t Tap may try and focus as much parallel imagery on the transportation of the cross and it’s nominal inspiration’s willing ascension to death as an inspiration message. That would seem like a good idea if we weren’t talking about a sport where death is a real possibility. MMA fights bring the perennial possibility of serious brain injury or, in a worst-case scenario, death. Clearly, literal symolism wasn’t the best choice.
In fairness, Jesus Didn’t Tap was founded to try and promote a noble cause. Ten percent of the brand’s profits go to a church, and the brand’s owner plans to open a Jiu Jitsu training center of the same name in Philadelphia soon.
The story behind the brand is also an inspiring one. The owner’s daughter, Kenzie, was diagnosed with Moebius Syndrome (a rare neurological disorder) early in her life and was given a bleak prognosis. Despite long odds, she made it to age two, when her parents started training her in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, adorning Kenzie with a shirt that said “Jesus Didn’t Tap” on the front and “Kenzie Doesn’t Quit” on the back.
Touching personal stories aside, the concept of a religiously-inspired and focused fighting company stretches just beyond the line of awkward into “how is this not inherently contradictory” territory. Of course, that doesn’t seem to be slowing sales, so get ready to see someone in “Jesus Doesn’t Tap” trunks inside the octagon sooner rather than later.
11:13 am on December 22nd, 2008
People kill each other in God's name all the time. So what's a few MMA shirts with Jesus messages, anyway?
4:30 pm on December 22nd, 2008
Jesus didn't tap, but he was nailed.
5:38 pm on December 22nd, 2008
Might I suggest some actual research before writing?
"That would seem like a good idea if we weren’t talking about a sport where death is a real possibility. MMA fights bring the perennial possibility of serious brain injury or, in a worst-case scenario, death."
I encourage you to learn about MMA before not only writing allegations like this but even before adopting these thoughts. MMA fights are not equivalent to toughman contests. The fighters are trained and possess a multitude of skills, including but certainly not limited to, strikes to the head. There are referrees and rules, and fighter safety is the top priority. It IS a combat sport, and there will often be blood, but there are fewer brain and eye injuries than in boxing BECAUSE there are a multitude of weapons a fighter can use against an opponent. That's what the "MIXED" in Mixed Martial Arts is intended to indicate. Every martial art from submission wrestling to Karate to Muay Thai to kempo to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, etc., converge in a well-rounded fighter, meaning there may be moments when they stand and try to make the other guy fall down solely with kicks to the leg, or a fighter may go for the knockout uppercut, but they can also use their ground skills to submit their opponents without any strikes whatsoever.
There have been over 1000 deaths in boxing and an unprecedented number of brain, ear and retina injuries. In 70 years of MMA, there has been 1 reported death linked to the sport, and that's even accounting for the 55 years prior to safety precautions and real rules being implemented in 1993 in an attempt by the UFC to mainstream the sport. Even back when it really was "no holds barred" fighting, and a fighter could literally soccer-kick a doubled-over opponent if the mood struck - still, one death. Any untimely death is a tragedy, of course, whether it be one or one thousand, but I think you get my point, though.
Further, if you have ever met a fighter, you would know these are skilled athletes. They're not thugs or gladiators or villians. Moreover, they are almost always Christians.
Having said that, I would also like to point out that the shirt is marketed to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialists, not necessarily to "MMAers." As I would hope you are aware, in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there are no strikes to the head or otherwise… just joint-locks, submission holds and chokes. Sure, if a practitioner gets caught in a choke and the carotid artery is prohibited from transporting oxygen to the brain, he or she will pass out in a matter of seconds. As soon as the winner releases pressure, the flow of oxygen is restored, and the loser wakes up. That's IF and ONLY IF the loser doesn't tap first. That's the purpose of a tap… to concede defeat and make the other guy let go.
If there is anything your article should have been chastising, it should have been the message the shirt was advertising… to not tap is to pass out, which has to be medical unsafe after a given number of times. (I have not researched this, but if you can assume things and write about them, so can I.) Oh but wait, if you chastise the shirt-makers for advising athletes not to give up, then you pretty much have to attack the Marines, too. "Death before dishonor," isn't that what they say? Maybe have a go at Nike, too, while you're at it. "Just do it"? Nah. It sounds like if it were up to you, it might be more like, "Just do it… unless you don't feel like it or if it could result in any sort of injury at any point in time."
10:30 pm on December 24th, 2008
Wow, Mindy nailed it on the head. Said everything I wanted to say only better. Also, the "Jesus didn't tap" shirts (as ridiculous as I find them) have been worn for the past year, if not longer. They haven't been the sole sponsor on the shirt, but their product has been on many shirts and trunks.
4:05 pm on December 30th, 2008
You realize MMA is a sport, right? There are boxing references in the Bible. It's not war, it's a sport, so whether someone is a pacifist or not has nothing to do with it.
4:21 pm on December 30th, 2008
hey mindy,u r boring.
11:57 am on January 2nd, 2009
In addition to researching MMA, some time should have been spent reading and studying the New Testament before the this article was written. Jesus wasn't "history's greatest pacifist" and many would argue that he wasn't a pacifist at all. Jesus Himself said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34
Matthew and Luke also refer to Jesus admonishing his followers to arm themselves with swords: "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." Luke22:35
And don't forget when Jesus cleansed the Temple by attacking and whipping people (John 2:14).
Jesus kicked ass, he isn't "history's greatest pacifist"
12:58 am on October 5th, 2009
Don”t cast your pears before the swine