Tim Tebow - Quarterback of the Denver Broncos
Second year NFL quarterback, Tim Tebow, is leading his Denver Broncos into town this weekend with a 4-game winning streak to face the hapless Minnesota Vikings. Denver is in the AFC playoff hunt, but the same cannot be said for our Vikings in the NFC. However, what may make this game the most interesting of the season for us is whether or not the Vikings will break Denver’s win streak and interrupt Tebow’s magical run as the hottest starting quarterback in the NFL.
What makes Tim Tebow such a captivating, if not controversial, football player? For starters, his stellar college career, including a Heisman trophy and two national championships at the University of Florida, captured the sports world’s attention. But then, most football analysts felt that being picked in the first-round of the 2010 NFL draft was vastly undeserved and that his skills at quarterback wouldn’t translate well to the pro game. To be sure, his style of play is unorthodox by today’s NFL standards. His accuracy as a passer is inconsistent and his completion percentage is substandard. Furthermore, his speed is not exceptional and his running style is not particularly deceptive. But in 6 games as a starter this season, his record is 5-1. His success on the field is inspiring his teammates, satisfying his supporters, and mystifying his critics. What is it about Tim Tebow that has led to his early success? Is it his leadership? His passion for the game? His faith? Likely it’s a combination of all these qualities, which some refer to as “the intangibles.” Make no mistake, having an excellent defense has certainly helped him as well.
Time will tell as to Tebow’s long term football success, but winning in the NFL as a quarterback has created a public platform from which he speaks freely and passionately about the thing that matters most to him – his relationship with Jesus Christ. Tebow is certainly not the only sincere believer in professional sports, but he is likely one of, if not the most outspoken regarding his faith. How do you feel on the subject of athletes or celebrities (or Christians in general) being outspoken about their faith? Feel free to comment below. Also, may I recommend Vikings announcer Paul Allen’s podcast from his Tuesday, November 29th “Love Covenant” talk show on KFAN at this link. P.A. is out of his element as a theologian (he makes no claim to be one) but the tenor of his commentary about the place of faith based communication in the public square is well balanced and surprisingly refreshing.
- MAJ
I never have understood why his faith has been such a focus in the media. True, Tim Tebow makes it well known where he stands, but the football issue seems that it ought to be exclusively about whether a QB with his supposed lack of true QB skills should be able to succeed in the NFL. Its extremely refreshing to me to see a player in the NFL this solid in his faith, but yet I am amazed how much attention it is getting! Are people trying to draw attention to whether or not God is helping Tebow win? Like his faith leads God to be a Bronco fan? Does Tebow think he is winning because he has been faithful? Does the public? Do I?
Sometimes I feel like there is a false impression of persecution surrounding Tim Tebow. All the experts say he should be awful, but he keeps winning. Are Christians assuming that the experts are against him because of his outspoken faith? I really don’t think thats why the experts are down on him. He has terrible QB numbers after all. But maybe… just maybe… he s a winner because he is a strong leader. Both athletically and evangelistically? Thoughts?
I’ve wondered if the interest in Tebow’s faith dates all the way back to the controversy generated around his jump to a prominent high school football program from a faith based homeschooling background, when he was gaining noteriety as a high quality high school prospect. This, followed by his early Heisman success as a college sophomore and two collegiate national championships, which included summers doing missionary work in the Philippines, have all put him on the map as a gifted leader and player with a faith that fuels him and helps him play at another level in the face of adversity.
There’s no doubt in my mind that his passion for football, winning, but most importantly, making his life matter in areas that count for eternity is faith based. Many support his views, others don’t, but feel it’s his right to hold them. Many football analysts criticize his NFL readiness and prospects for long term success and that’s valid. However, there are those who are offended by his outspokenness for Christ and that stems from the misguided notion that faith is personal, as in private. Tebow’s faith is both personal, i.e. deeply held, but public as in obeying the Great Commission. It’s hard not to admire a Christian of his caliber of leadership. Will this be everyone’s style? Obviously not, but I hope we feel that the gospel is good news worth sharing as we build relationships and get involved in the lives of people and their real hopes and hurts.
Whether God is truly on Tim’s side and helping him win isn’t really the issue. The point is that Tim Tebow believes it and is fueled by it. My takeaway from all of this as a Christian and a pastor is that “Eternity matters, people matter, and in a world dominated by bad news, good news that offers hope and help to hurting people that has eternal implications is worth sharing.” If Tim is using football as a platform for his faith, so be it. His motives seem to be positive and his priorities solid. What’s not to love?