Seriously, let me know if you love him or hate him...
 |
| As a fellow Christian, I hope he continues to inspire people even though he kinda sucks at playing football! |
I’ve been on this planet coming up on a quarter of a
century. I know there have been
professional, collegiate, and amateur athletes that have come and gone that
have stirred up controversy. However, in
this day and age, with technology (social media, smart phones, laptops, and
tablets) Tim Tebow has stirred up quite a bit of controversy.
First, let’s take a look at Tim from a football
perspective. He played high school
football at Nease High School in Ponte Verde Beach, Florida and Trinity
Christian Academy in Jacksonville. He
was one of the top rated senior quarterbacks in the nation. He attended the University of Florida from 2006
to 2010. As a freshman back-up
quarterback, he helped starter Chris Leak and the Gators to the National
Championship. His sophomore year brought
him starting quarterback status as well as the first sophomore to ever win the
Heisman Trophy. If that wasn’t enough,
as a junior he led the Gators to another National Championship. In his senior campaign, they were the #1
ranked team but lost in the SEC Championship to eventual National Champions
Alabama.
He was then drafted, surprisingly, in the first round of the
2010 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos as the 25th overall pick. He started the last 3 games his rookie year
when the season was a lost cause and in 2011, he took over just 5 games into
the season. After starting 1-4, he led
the Broncos to a 7-4 finish and the AFC West Division Title. This past Sunday evening, he shocked the 12-4
Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs by throwing the
winning touchdown pass on the first play in overtime. To look at Tebow from this perspective, you
would have to agree that he’s accomplished quite a bit in the short amount of
time playing football.
So why the controversy?
Tim Tebow is what we like to call unorthodox. As a collegiate player, he was a dual threat
quarterback that fit Florida’s (and seemingly most of college football’s style
of offense nowadays) spread offense attack under Urban Meyer. Being as accomplished as he was, there were
many questions regarding his game translating to the NFL. He wasn’t your prototypical quarterback with
smooth mechanics or a great arm. He’s
not crazy athletic like Michael Vick or can stand in the pocket picking apart defenses
all day like Tom Brady. However, his
believers go back to the one thing that seems to constantly surround Tim, his
ability to win and inspire teammates.
This season Tim Tebow in the regular season threw only 12
touchdowns and 6 interceptions for 1,729 yards for a passer rating of just
72.9. Those numbers are measly
considering the gargantuan efforts put in by Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Tom
Brady, and Matthew Stafford. His completion
percentage is only 46.5% and in 6 of his 11 starts he only completed 10 or less
passes! That doesn’t even include the 10
completions he had in the first round of the playoffs this weekend. Are you beginning to see why everyone is kind
of freaking out about Tim Tebow?
Tebow was drafted surprisingly high by a Denver team
seemingly already set with Kyle Orton at quarterback. You don’t draft a lot of players in the first
round and expect them to sit several years in the waiting. On top of that, his combine wasn’t awesome
and his skill set didn’t scream, “o man, play me right away at quarterback, I’m
the next Peyton Manning!” I’m not even
sure what the Denver front office believed when taking Tebow. Of course the coach at the time is gone and
now legendary John Elway runs the team with John Fox as head coach. Still, the franchise has put their money
where their mouth is and stuck with Tim Tebow for better or worse.
That is only part of the reason Tebow generates so much
attention. The part I’m more interested
in is his personal life. He was actually
born in the Philippines and has been a Christian most of his life thanks to his
family. He still regularly visits there
and preaches the gospel in prisons. He
is not shy about his faith and stance on religion. During last year’s Super Bowl, he even was in
ad against abortion, well it was a pro life ad anyway. During games you can see him praying before,
during and after. In fact, he’s started
quite a craze in terms of celebrations in what everyone now calls “Tebowing.” He doesn’t shy around quoting God in
interviews or just wearing his faith on his sleeve.
Listen, I can’t stand the fact this guy is a starting
quarterback when I see a guy like Brady Quinn not even get a chance (can’t
judge the guy when you play for the Browns).
Tebow on stats alone should not be a starter in the NFL. He’s genuinely awful. But what I do love is his appearance. No I’m not talking about his relatively good
looks and smile. It’s the way he
presents himself. The media out does his
story week in and week out. We get it
ESPN, you’re killing me. Especially you
Skip Bayless, no one likes you, go play in a microwave already. His stance on Christianity with his prominent
role in society is something to behold.
I am also a Christian, not a great one…yet. His attitude inspires me. He didn’t ask to be in the middle of all
this. The Broncos chose to put him here
because all Tebow asked for was a chance to play quarterback. If it didn’t work out, he would consider
changing positions just so he could play.
Last time I checked, more teams could use attitude like that.
Tim Tebow is gaining admirers all over the country because
he doesn’t let outside influences affect who he is as a player or person. He’s doing the absolute best he can given the
situation. It’s extremely impressive he’s
already won a playoff game! His confidence
and faith give me hope that one day I too can make an impact no matter how
difficult or paradoxical the situation happens to be. I don’t wish injury or bad things to happen
to Tebow even though I hate Florida and his inability to hit receivers in
stride on most passes. I can however
acknowledge the fact that the Broncos defy all reason and logic. Even if the Patriots do win by 2 touchdowns
this weekend, it’s safe to say the Broncos overachieved. I hope Tim leads to more athletes being so
open about their faith and stance on humanity.
We could use more role models and all-around good, young people in the
realm of sports where the likes of LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant,
Floyd Mayweather, the Busch Brothers, Ryan Braun, and others dominate headlines
for negative activity. I’m not saying
Tim Tebow is God or anything but he’s certainly a wave of fresh air.
PS:
Oh, and Tim, I hope you read this when I tweet this article
straight at you. I love and hate you at
the same time. Also, do me a favor, I
say I’d like to say I want the Patriots to crush you but I don’t really believe that. Crush everyone’s soul in Foxboro this
weekend!
Godspeed TT!
