Maybe There’s More To Tebow Than Faith And Fanaticism

TeBowed out?  If so, you’re probably one of his many critics who happily watched the second-year quarterback fall humbly back to earth Sunday afternoon against a team comfortable with success, opposed to one still unfamiliar with such surroundings.  True, “Timmy Terrific” and the endless rhetoric surrounding his dramatic rise to NFL prominence has more-than-bordered on excess, but while not a fan of the much ballyhooed signal-caller in college, I’ve found myself swimming amongst the masses of late, celebrating his success and wishing him well in his pursuit of an NFL career.

Why?  Good question and one I’ve been exploring since my unexpected about-face more than a few weeks ago.

I understand “Gator Fan’s” infatuation with number 15; after all, he led them to two national championships, a Heisman Trophy and a placard engraved with a now historic speech following a monumental loss and igniting a soon-to-be monumental title run.  I also understand the allure of a devout Christian to those equally devout.  But what about me?  I’m not a Gator, have a less-than-glowing opinion of the SEC, and fall far short of what most Christians would call devout, but I find myself rooting for Tebow and doing so for reasons unknown.  At least until now.

Throughout this self-evaluation I’ve prodded and probed myself, challenged myself, and asked questions of myself and my way of thinking.  However, as I quickly found, the answers that I sought came not from within, but more so from outsiders more than willing to defend the player they’d grown to love, and even more so what that player represents.

Too often in today’s sports world, selfishness is front and center.  Players seem far more interested in getting into the spotlight, rather than turning it on the people who helped them get there.  Whether it’s a touchdown celebration, post-dunk theatrics or any of the number of ways players choose to “market” themselves on the sidelines or in post-game interviews, sports have become more about “getting mine,” rather than team work and winning.  And society has made it acceptable.  Players and “talking heads” alike have provided such self-indulgents a stockpile of justification for the behavior which I speak.  Comments like, “It’s a business,” “They’ve got to create a brand,” and “It’s entertainment” are all frequently used excuses by perpetrators of said action, as well as those defending them.   They often speak to the persecution of individualism, as well as society’s over-the-top political correctness when addressing the backlash of such activity, in an attempt to redirect the blame and spin the obvious ill of their ways.

And people are tired of it.  They’re tired of a highlight of an outrageous celebration upstaging the outcome of the game.  They’ve become cynics regarding anything athlete and unfortunately equally cynical regarding the games themselves.  But Tebow offers them hope.

It’s refreshing to see a guy so obviously challenged, working feverishly towards a goal he’s convinced he can reach.  It’s nice to hear a guy use words like “we” and “us” in reference to success, and it’s wonderful to witness someone so passionate about his beliefs (In spite of whether or not you agree with him) that he’s unafraid to air them in from of all, fearless of repercussion.   It’s rare to see a guy who’s had so much success, so many accolades and so much notoriety run from the spotlight while simultaneously pushing others towards it.

Root against this guy?  How can you possibly not root for him!

Since his arrival on the NFL scene more than a year ago, Tebow has been a lightning rod for criticism.  It’s natural for people to begrudge someone who’s seemingly got it all, and certainly common for those same people to enthusiastically wish that same someone less-than-the-best.  But it’s my opinion that you shouldn’t just root for Tim Tebow, you should root for more people like him.  Show me a team that wouldn’t benefit from having a “Tebow” in their huddle, on their bench or at their practice, making them work, holding them accountable and leading by example?

Oregon?

Oregon State?

You bet your hind quarter they would.

I recently read that some of the Denver Bronco players have communicated that since Tebow’s insertion into the starting lineup, they’ve felt an increased awareness of the importance of their job.  Sure, detractors would suggest that it’s Tebow’s ineptitude which has forced everyone around him to pick up his slack, but his team mates have suggested otherwise.  They profess that it’s his approach and his concept of ”team” which has awakened their awareness of the sum’s dependency on the parts, and due to such an increased level of appreciation for the little things.  Problem?  Far from it.

Tim Tebow is a devout Christian.  He’s also a Heisman Trophy winner, National Champion and future College Football Hall of Famer, but he also represents what’s good in sports:  Humility, Sportsmanship and hard work.  He doesn’t make excuses, he doesn’t take the easy way out, and he’s earned everything he’s gotten.  Did you get that?  He’s earned everything he’s gotten.  He has no guaranteed contract, sat on the bench for more than a year, and has fought the criticism of most “experts,” millions of “haters” and a coaching staff who likely didn’t want him to begin with.  Yes, people love him for his faith and yes, people love him for his pedigree, but there’s more to Tim Tebow than faith and fanaticism; and that’s why people like myself root him on.