What do we think of Tebow?

[Alcott]

As perhaps the second biggest subplot of the 2011 NFL season (next to “Will Green Bay go undefeated?”), the Tebow legend has come to an end (for now) with Denver’s wipeout in New England. During Denver’s winning streak, since he became the starter, he became more noted and photographed or videoed in his prayer position, down on one knee holding his chin with one hand, and this came to be called “Tebowing.” While Tebow overtly give his thanks to Jesus, he has also said he does not think Jesus intervenes and gives his team a win; he just wants to thank the Lord for allowing him to use an ability he has been given—or allowed to have; I’m not sure I have heard his exact choice of words- to be successful, which leads to more opportunities to accomplish more things.

But quite expectedly, while many people admire him for what he has done and the faith he wears so visibly, many also mock or condemn, or both, his quarterbacking or his shows of faith, or both. The social media has sprung up “I Hate Tim Tebow” pages and similar titles, with posters saying “Jesus lost on Saturday” and such things. It seems he has made himself one whom no one views objectively; on the brink of such a position of: if you like his shows of faith, you like his quarterbacking; if you can’t stand his shows of faith, he’s a terrible quarterback. It may not be really that simple, but the nonobjectivity angle is valid. Does he harm or help the cause of Christ? Is he, or can he be, a great NFL quarterback? How do those 2 topics mesh? Can he avoid the temptations that come with such celebrity recognition and people "throwing themselves" at him?

So, which of these poll statements regarding the situation do you agree with?

 

[DiamondLady]

I live here at the home of the University of Florida where Tim Tebow led our Gators to 2 BCS championships during his years at quarterback of the UF football team. He is a great quarterback. However, here in our town, Tim Tebow is not only known as being a great football player but he is known for other things as well. Tim Tebow gives of himself speaking and sharing. He'll take time at the local ice cream shop to speak to a child (and buy their ice cream...this happened to two of the children from our church). He speaks at local jails and prisons, churches and youth groups.

Will his fame ever go to his head? I guess anything is possible, but as long as he keeps the attitude that God gives him the gift of playing football then I see him remaining the same level-headed young man he's always been.

The world doesn't like to see openly expressed faith in God because it makes them squirm and feel uncomfortable, so they ridicule it. Tim Tebow is being a missionary in a humble and quiet way every Sunday when he kneels on the football field. I think football is simply a vehicle for God's work in this case. Where else can you reach millions of people every Sunday during football season??

It's a shame he still can't place scripture verses on his eye black as his did in college. That was a great witnessing opportunity.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I think Tim Tebow was way over-rated. I am glad he's out. And I am more glad it was the Patriots who did it.

There are a lot of Christian athletes who manage to keep their names out of the papers.

 

[dcorbett]

I think Tim Tebow was way over-rated. I am glad he's out. And I am more glad it was the Patriots who did it.

There are a lot of Christian athletes who manage to keep their names out of the papers.

Opinions.....you are allowed yours....Here's mine: I LOVE TEBOW and his testimony. He is not afraid to thank the Lord or pray, and I don't know of any reason to dislike that if you are a Christian!

 

[Scribe]

I think he's doing a great job of being a positive role model, plus he's not afraid to share his faith and testimony. Professional sports could use a lot more guys like him. While I don't believe that athletes in general should be looked at as role models, kids will still look up to them no matter what, and ones that portray a positive example I will support.

 

[Alcott]

No one (so far) has answered that he's too likely to be setting himself up for a fall, but I don't think he can go too many years without something like that happening. That's the trouble regarding Christian celebrities. It may or may be more likely to happen with those involved in a more overtly Christian facet of public visibility [e.g., Amy Grant, Sandi Patty], but he is, and will continue to be, watched like a prime suspect. We don't know if the admiration, the hatred, or the press invading his every move is more likely to weaken his staunchness.

If there is a better example, it may be Tom Landry. Granted, Landry said he did not become a true Christian until his final year of coaching in New York, by which he was already 3 years from having been a player. Before then, he was just a 'straight man' who didn't curse, was never even suspected of being unfaithful to his wife, played hard and honest, and as a coach demanded the dedication and preparation from players that he did of himself. But then he saw God's leading in the opportunity to be the head coach of a new expansion team based in his off-season home, got involved in the new Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and saw his growing fame as means to a greater purpose than football. But in all this, he did not kneel in prayer on the field and insert gospel items into his press conferences. And in his autobiography he said it is problematic for him to see players take a knee after scoring a touchdown (this has been around a long time). It seems easier to believe Landry, then, when he said God doens't play favorites among teams in athletic competition; that his position is just that whatever a person does, he/she should give it full effort, and it could be a means of spreading the Word. And because of this approach, while his team, the Dallas Cowboys, were a very derided team among rabid fans of their opponents, Landry himself was spared the kind of hate and super-scrutiny that Tebow has garnered. When he was fired after 29 years, he got many letters of sympathy from admitted Cowboy haters, letting him that they always respected him and his hard work and steadfastness and high morals.

With Tebow, we'll see. It could take years, but if he has created an image of a Christian that is impossible to live up to in such a high-profile position, he will be seen to have let a lot of people down-- in which many others will take a wicked delight.