In the sports world, we’ve long seen guys take political or religious stances. Muhammad Ali, after changing his name because of its Islamic influence, filed for conscientious objector as a means of abstaining from participation in the Vietnam War. This was seen as a great act of courage, with Ali standing strong on his beliefs, setting an example for his youthful following. Josh Hamilton, after recovering from substance abuse, found God, and then making his teammates celebrate with ginger-ale rather than champagne. Americans may have looked twice at this, but not a soul criticized the slugger for his devout religion or considered him less because of his ginger-ale mandate. In 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the black power salute–commenting on the political pressures of the time–as they stood on the podium receiving their Olympic medals. Yet again, the act was seen as one of incredible courage and has become one of the iconic symbols of the civil rights movement. Sports gives us a uniting entity and the freedom for such acts of courage with religious or political ties.
In a sport in which the most exciting play is the “Hail Mary,” and the “Touchdown Jesus” statue looked over the ancestors of the game, a new religious figure has caused quite a stir. Whether it is his now iconic stance, his open and outspoken faith, or his success, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is a polarizing figure intrinsically tied to God and Christianity. The quarterback has become the focus of our Sundays in a way that combines the two most popular activities of an American’s last day of the weekend: NFL and Church. The question persists as to how the white quarterback from the University of Florida has become such a lightning rod for criticism when many sports figures frequently give credit for their success to God. Many players point to the sky or make the sign of the cross after a big play. We’ve heard a player in a post game interview give credit to Jesus Christ, his personal savior, so much that its expected. NASCAR prays over the loud speaker before every race. But, Tim Tebow is different.
Since his arrival at the University of Florida, Tebow has been flaunting his religious beliefs to anyone within shouting distance. He came in as an 18 year old with only two objectives, win games and serve God. Many expected the talk of God to mellow as he left the shelter of high school and experienced the pulls, influences and struggles associated with playing quarterback at such a high level. It seemed the more success Tebow found, the louder his message got as it reached a wider audience. As college football’s most dynamic player, he used his platform to shout messages of God, abstinence, and missionary work. The problem comes in understanding that some in that wider audience do not want to be subjected to that message of God and his prophets and thus develop negative opinions of Tebow.
Tebow was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft and skeptics screamed of his inevitable failure at the professional level. Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN head draft expert, said things like “He’s not a quarterback.” “He can’t succeed at this level.” In a midseason poll announced today, NFL players voted Tebow the most overrated player in the game. In August, Merril Hoge, another ESPN analyst, tweeted that, “It’s embarrassing to think you can win with Tebow.” Clearly the guy has his critics and it all crashes on the 24 year old despite his limited playing time thus far. One can’t help but think the quarterback draws much of the criticism due to his off the field antics as his on-field gameplay has been limited.
In dissecting the literature about the quarterback, it seems every article makes mention of his religion, trust in God, or suggests some higher power may be at work. It’s unclear if Tebow wants this, if he has chosen this, or if the national media has created a caricature of Tebow to sell, discuss and berate. Television networks don’t have to show every time he prays on the sideline when the focus of the action is on the other side of the sideline. Newspapers don’t have to run stories with religious connotations or headlines that evoke Biblical themes for every fourth quarter comeback that Tebow orchestrates. Reporters don’t have to ask him about God during every press conference or follow him during his missionary work but, they do. Why do all these media outlets follow Tebow so closely? The answer is simple: we just can’t get enough of him. We find him interesting. Whether 
people appreciate his on-field heroics, his courage as the religious figure he’s become, or can’t stand the Bible-touting All-American boy, he fascinates us.
Tebow is associated with religion and Christianity moreso than any athlete ever. Game stories discuss Tebow’s religion and the life he leads. Sports writers, the ones constantly adorning a new Messiah for a team, seem lost with a player so humble yet mainstream. They don’t know what to make of Tebow, or how to discuss his football skills. It’s unclear whether people think him more a quarterback or a preacher. Just as it’s hard to think of a fish without the water, Tebow is without God. The constant association of God and Tebow has caused them to be so intertwined but, it’s not all the fault of the press. From writing Bible verses on his eye black for big games in college and his trademark celebratory stance to appearing in Super Bowl anti-abortion ads, Tebow creates the image on purpose. He clearly relishes in the role of prophet, missionary, and preacher whether people think it’s his place or not.
Many people have written about football as the secular alternative to the Church goers of Sunday. Most football viewers have chosen watching football over going to church and emphasize secular symbols like the stripes of a referee over the cross or hijab. I mentioned earlier the two popular things for Americans to do on Sunday (go to church, and watch football) but, I failed to mention how those two are rarely in concert. Churchgoers and football watchers certainly can overlap but, the two groups are usually thought as representative of opposite groups within America. A potential reason Tebow’s religion has reached this iconic status includes the traditional role of religion on American Sundays. The Church of football’s pastor, rabbi, or minister is usually the quarterback of the fan’s favorite team. With Tim Tebow, we see the analogy extrapolated to include a more religious leadership.
I have to wonder if Tim Tebow would be as popular, as controversial, if he played a different sport. Certainly he would not get the notoriety if he played squash but, the culture of football seems so opposed to God and the personalities associated with the religious in our society. Imagine Simpson’s character Ned Flanders strapping on a helmet and pads and taking on Ray Lewis. It seems comical because of Ned’s personality and physique but also because of his never-harm-a-fly attitude. Tebow upsets this religious stereotype as he plays football with more intensity than most others in today’s game. His will to win goes unquestioned but, in a sport as intense and intrinsically manly tempers flare and morals are stretched. Football’s popularity and place on Sundays help to boost Tebow’s celebrity and the national conversation surrounding the quarterback.
Consider Tebow playing baseball. He would not be able to hold his weekly post game sermons or be nationally watched when he played. Through a 162 game season, the intrigue and passion for God would surely be downplayed. Eventually the writers would have to discuss something other than his personal faith. Baseball has no system where a player’s success in college is nearly as public as in football. Sure, Tebow could give full thanks for all his hits or homeruns to God but, Josh Hamilton already does that and he’s not the same polarizing figure. Hockey isn’t popular enough to create the same national storm. In the NBA, fans develop close relationships with the stars. Seeing the superstars every game in somewhat revealing uniforms and with the spotlight perfectly shown upon them, fans think they really know each player. I propose that Tebow’s effect should he have played basketball wouldn’t be the same national story but the effect would be even more concentrated on his fans. Fans would feel more closely attached, more in tune with his beliefs, and more confident in his stand up morals.
New York Times Op-Ed writer Toni Monkovic raised an interesting point after players mocked Tebow’s celebratory stance. Monkovic writes, “Tebow invites scrutiny with the very public nature of his religious beliefs, his evangelistic side. But let’s imagine that a player displayed a Muslim religious ritual or one based on Hinduism? Would it be fair to mock those displays as well?” The questions raise introspective questions for Americans to ponder. What does it say about our culture that Tebow and more specifically evangelical Christians can be so openly mocked and laughed at? Have we become insensitive to the Puritan ideals of religious freedom specifically in regard to Christianity? Or is it just that Christianity because of its familiarity more susceptible to mockery? If Tebow’s celebratory stance were to instead prostrate himself North, towards Mecca, would the NFL even allow it? We have examples of different religious athletes and their inward expressions of faith received less than openly.
Chris Jackson, or Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (he changed his name to Abdul-Rauf following his conversion to Islam) was a basketball player through the 1990’s. Abdul-Rauf caused an uproar when he decided to sit during the pre-game national anthem. Abdul-Rauf claimed that “The flag represents tyranny and oppression,” adding that standing for the anthem was a form of nationalistic worship forbidden by his religion. Members of the Muslim Society publicly spoke against Abdul-Rauf’s stance saying his boycott went against Islamic teachings. Either way, Abdul-Rauf was suspended by the NBA for a game because of his Star Spangled Banner stance forfeiting that game’s salary (some $31,000). Abdul-Rauf came to an agreement with league officials that he would stand for the 
Anthem but would recite a Muslim prayer. The stance clearly had religious and political context but, the NBA was so uncomfortably with Abdul-Rauf’s stance and public display of religion that they suspended him.
Contrast this with Tim Tebow’s public displays of religion and the success he’s achieved through it. Last year, Tebow’s jersey was the No. 1 seller in the NFL entering the ex-Heisman Trophy winner’s rookie season. One Denver radio voice said in response to the Abdul-Rauf situation and his salary fine: “See, the Almighty was served, the Almighty Dollar.” It’s possible that while Tebow is still selling jerseys and still a popular if somewhat contentious, figure, he’ll have full rights to religious displays while the less profitable players (such as Abdul-Rauf) will be quieted or subdued.
Tebow’s place as a pop culture icon has been semented the past few weeks as he has led his team to victories and reached a new height in popularity. His role as preacher and his tie with God is unlike anything we’ve seen. It is as if when Tim Tebow succeeds, it’s a vindication of his religious beliefs while when he fails, it’s attributed to his ill-conceived trust in a false god. The association makes it impossible to root solely for Tebow. From a theological standpoint, it’s so hard to say what you’re actually rooting for and how it aligns with specific on-field outcomes that it almost seems to make more sense not to bring religion or politics or philosophy into the NFL, or maybe any sport, at all. If sports are supposed to serve as an alternate religion for viewers, then where do aspects of real or organized religion fit in? As we’ve seen, it clearly depends on the sports, era, and religion (Not to mention the player or should I say prophet). Tebow’s success somehow mandates that his message reaches many ears and for this he may be the most important Christian figure in today’s pop American culture. He’s transcended sport and religion and provided a unique combination of prophet, player. Tim Tebow is yet another example of how religion appears in all aspects of American society, even those which may be less than receptive.
-Sean Morash
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