Tim Tebow…OMG, you horrible, horrible man!
I must confess, when I first starting hearing rumblings from television commentators regarding Tim Tebow…I had no idea what they were talking about.
The years of being a Clevelander had taken its toll on me as a sports fan. You can’t continually follow Cleveland sports teams without becoming weary. The Browns, the Indians, and the Cavaliers have led to many a Cleveland sports fan becoming interested in something…anything other than sports. Oh sure, the youngsters coming up, they are naive enough to believe that Cleveland could host a championship team one day…but us old timers…we know better. You sit back, smile, and think to yourself, “ Give ‘em a few years. They’ll wise up and realize championship teams are for other cities. They’ll find something else to do with their time besides sports!”
So, it was from this sports vacuum I had created for myself, that I kept hearing bits and pieces about Tim Tebow not being very good. I knew just enough to know that he was an untested rookie quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He had won a few games, but mostly they were fluke victories…according to those in-the-know. Sports sages spoke of Tebow being an interim quarterback, and that the Broncos would have to find another QB next year, if they were serious about winning consistently.
As my Tebow radar started to pick up more signals and bad vibes, there was something else the commentators focused on, besides his ability to play the game. I kept hearing things about him being “too religious.” They spoke of his “on-field antics”.
On-field antics? Um…that’s interesting…what do they mean by on-field antics?
In baseball, there’s a code about a hitter not getting close to the pitcher’s mound when he gets thrown out at first, or third; and he trots back to the dugout. You disrespect a pitcher by getting to close to his mound, and you are going to get a fastball thrown at your head the next time you come to the plate.
Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away, in basketball you weren’t supposed to show up an opponent by dunking the ball on an uncontested layup. In today’s game, there is no code of ethics. Anything goes, on and off the court. Pretty soon, they will start keeping stats on the number of children born out of wedlock, as well as points scored.
But football…the only thing that came to mind regarding on-field antics in football would be too much celebrating after scoring a touchdown. Was that what Tim Tebow was doing? Was he doing summersaults in the end zone? The commentators had even given a name to these Tebow antics…it was called, “Tebowing”
So began my journey back into the world of sports to see what this young man could possibly be doing that was so upsetting the powers-to-be in football. It was a dark and dangerous journey back…I felt like a 62-year old Harry Potter about to confront some dark, evil force. This young man named Tim Tebow was involved in something so heinous that it made other grown men tremble, and caused them to ridicule young Tim to help bolster their courage.
And what did I find in my glorious quest to follow that star, no matter how hopeless…no matter how far?
Tim Tebow was praying on the field. That was it! He had the audacity to kneel down on one knee and thank God for whatever he was thankful for at the time.
Yes, I could see why everyone was so upset! This wasn’t church…this was a professional field of play. This was the sacred ground of the NFL! Players had shed blood on that hallowed ground. This was no place for a man to get down on one knee and pray. There is a time and place for one’s faith…and buddy, this was neither the time…nor the place! No wonder Tim Tebow had become the joke of professional football!
The commentators searched the ranks of current and former “Christian” players to obtain quotes saying Tebow should cut down on his public displays of love towards God. He needed to “tone it down”, and not “shove his faith in everyone’s face.”
In searching clips on the Internet, I could never find a clip of him encouraging anyone else to get down on one knee. I never saw him pass out pamphlets to fans in the stands. What I did see was one man expressing his faith. What I did see was one man expressing gratitude.
You can tell a great deal about a society in the things they value…and the things they ridicule.
In last week’s playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tebow threw an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play in overtime to defeat the Steelers 29-23. It was the shortest overtime period in playoff history.
This week, the Broncos play the New England Patriots in another playoff game. Regardless the outcome of the game, Tim Tebow will exit that game a winner. He will be a winner in the eyes of his most important critic…God. Tim Tebow isn’t afraid to show his faith, and that can really be unsettling to many,
When I think of Tim Tebow, I am reminded of Luke 9:26, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Reading this passage, those troubled by Tim Tebow’s faith have more to worry about than what happens on the field.
I wonder what our world would be like if more people had the courage to get down on one knee and give thanks to God.
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