What Would Tim Tebow Say?

Saturday, January 14^th, marked the end of the season for the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow. If you are a Tebow fan, like me, it may have felt as if the season went on forever. It was a constant shift from euphoria to “Oh Man!!!!”  From getting into the playoff through the back door, (so to speak), to a spectacular win against the Steelers, (setting several records), to a crushing defeat, yet again, at the hands of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

For the many ‘Tebowits’, this defeat was hard to take, a heart breaking loss. For the “haters” it was justification for more taunting and hating. For many of the commentators and sports analyst it was an, “I told you so.” And many jumped off the Tebow band wagon.

But what was it like for Tim Tebow? In a career that started with Pop Warner Football and saw many more wins than loses? That included high school championships, college championships and the Heisman, not to mention many other prestigious awards; what was it like to lose in a humbling, and as many stated, humiliating fashion?

Tim has been dubbed “God’s Quarterback,” and “The Mile High Messiah." He is said to be the most polarizing figure in football history. Never has so much been filmed, photographed, printed, said and debated, about one player.

 He has been constantly criticized for everything from his throwing style to his stance on Christianity, especially for his up front, unapologetic practice of praying on the field and thanking his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at every press conference, win or lose. And this has all been debated on ESPN, by NFL Network, by every commentator and sports analyst on every sports broadcast and in every newspaper in America and probably overseas.

Why is it that a man who is said to be no good at his craft gets so much attention? I couldn’t watch ESPN without hearing about him.

What is it about Tim Tebow that causes so many to love him and so many to hate him?

I believe, (my own personal opinion), that many haters are just jealous. When someone gets this much attention and is adored by millions (1 ½ million alone subscribe to his facebook page), you are going to have those who feel inferior and feel a need to bring someone of his stature down to their level or lower. Many hate because they just like hating and many hate him because they don't want to live up to his standards. One man was quoted as saying, "I can't wait until they find him in a room full of hooker, face down in a mountain of cocaine." Gee, don't hold anything back. Tell us how you really feel. I guess that is perferable to having a good example for your kids. Really?

And I believe he is hated for his faith by those who have no faith, who don’t believe in God, and others who believe but feel your faith should be kept private and out of sight. I read comments all the time that say he is sinning by praying in public the way he does. They quote Matthew were it says, “Don’t pray like these… but go into your closet.”

Others say he preys on the weak minded; he is a “terrorist” who uses religion as a weapon. He is a phony, a hypocrite, he is arrogant because he believes his way is the only way, and on and on and on.

I don’t think any player in NFL history has received so much criticism when so many others are so much more deserving. How many athletes have been arrested for and accused of rape, domestic violence, assault, weapons charges, indecent exposure and much more, and hardly a word said. I guess these things are not nearly as offensive as praying in public.

Mr Suh. But he seems like such a nice guy

Ndamukong Suh, the infamous defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions was suspended for 4 games after banging the head of a Green Bay Packer into the turf after a tackle, then getting up and stomping on him. And this was not his first infraction. No public outrage as far as I know, but I guess a player trying to kill his opponent is preferable to praying in public or talking about Jesus.

Rob Gronkowski, the much acclaimed wide receiver for the New England Patriots, was photographed shirtless because he had given it, a jersey, to a porn star he was being photographed with. It went viral of course, his reason… she has over 70thousand followers on Twitter and he thought if he was photographed with her, he’d get more followers too. 

Rob Gronkowski (Rob did have to apologize to his
teammates and owner for his antics)

This 22 year old young man has had a stellar season, catching over 90 passes from Tom Brady, 17 being touchdowns, and ran for over 1300 yards, and that wasn’t enough to get Twitter followers? I guess not. Where was the outrage over that? Here is a young man who could have had a positive influence, but instead sent out a message to young boys everywhere that porn is okay. Now he is forever linked to this girl and she is using his name to farther her career.  I've read many of the comments on articles written about this incident and most of them say, “Good for you Rob.” No outrage, no “what a bad example!” Nothing said on ESPN, or NFL Network. No sports analysts saying “Shame on you!”  No boycotting Patriot Games.

What a sad commentary on our society when we think nothing of antics like these, but show venomous hatred for one just because he expresses, in a very non-threatening way, his love and thankfulness to and for his Savior, and is just a really decent guy.

But Christians knew it would be this way. Jesus Himself told us it would be, and I know Tim is not surprised or caught off guard by it. I also know this, because of Tim Tebow’s desire and determination to share his faith, millions have heard about Jesus. Because of him John 3:16, (along with other verses) have been quoted on national TV and newspapers and probably in many other countries around the world. How amazing is God, that He can use those who may despise Him, i.e., liberal newspapers, talk shows, and the haters, to get His word out.

And what causes so many to love Tim? Strangely it is the very same things the haters hate him for.

At the beginning of this article I asked, “What was this loss (the playoff game against New England) like for Tim Tebow?”  Well let me quote him. 

“Overall, it still wasn’t a bad day,” said Tebow. “It was a good day because before the game I got to spend time with *Zack McLeod, and make him smile and that made it a good day... Sometimes it’s (the good) hard to see, but it depends on which lens you are looking through.”

*Zack is a 20 yr old young man who suffered a traumatic brain injury while playing football.  Tim flew him in for the game as part of his foundations W15H program.

Tim with some of the kids from "Make a Wish". In connection with the Tim Tebow Foundation W15H program, Tim flies a special guest, usually a child suffering from cancer or another life threatening condition, along with his whole family to one of his games. Tim pays for game tickets, plane tickets, hotel rooms, a car and all meals. Tim spends time before and after the game with his guests. All have said they get his undivided attention and it an experience they will never forget.

So I think I will take Tim Tebow, for all his wonky mechanics, last minutes heroic, and humiliating loses over all the Rob Gronkowski’s of this world. I’d rather chose, as an example, someone who loves the Lord, follows after Him and is a winner at life, than one who may be an outstanding winner at the game of football but is losing out on all the best God has for him.

“Sometimes I pray before games, during games, after games ... regardless whether I win or lose … whether [I'm] the hero or the goat, it doesn't matter, I still honor the Lord and give Him glory because He's deserving of it. Just like my faith shouldn't change, neither should that … You can still honor the Lord with how you handle things.”  Tim Tebow