11th January 2012

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I doubt I have anything new to add to the debate over Tim Tebow. It’s interesting how polarizing he can be. Even I teeter between loathing and admiring him. As a Gamecock fan, it was easy to demonize the guy because he was the Gators’ golden boy. Some of that, I reflect, was a twinge of jealousy; had he been wearing the Garnet and Black, I’m sure I’d have been just as fanatical for Tebow. But I am completely ambivalent about the Broncos and should therefore have no strong opinions about Tebow, right? Yet, I watched his game against the Steelers and was torn between rooting for him and rooting against him. Old habits die hard, I suppose.  But there’s no denying the kid just has that spark. I won’t use the term “intangibles,” because what are those anyway? Tebow is a winner. Plain and simple. And while it might be easy to resent a winner, Tebow eschews all braggadocio and arrogance that one typically finds with his class of winner. Instead, Tebow says all the right things in his post-game interview and not in that athlete-talking-point manner. You genuinely believe him when he gives thanks to his savior. When he credits his coaches for preparing him and making the necessary adjustments. When he praises his teammates for their efforts. When he acknowledges the support of his fans. When he offers respect to his opponents. When he downplays his talent and insists he can always be better. And when he puts the game in perspective by talking about a pre-game visit he had with a young girl in the hospital. He’s a fucking saint, man. He’s the kind of person you want your kids to emulate. Don’t tell yourself otherwise.  I roll my eyes any time an athlete makes an ass of himself by excessively celebrating his god-given talents on the field (or off). It’s a celebration of self. Tebow, on the other hand, chooses to express his gratitude in a more reflective and personal manner. It’s a celebration of faith. Regardless of where you come down on heaven, hell and everything in between, I think it speaks more about us if we choose to mock or scoff at such a gesture. Maybe the problem most of us have with Tebow is he reminds us of how much better we could be.

I doubt I have anything new to add to the debate over Tim Tebow. It’s interesting how polarizing he can be. Even I teeter between loathing and admiring him.

As a Gamecock fan, it was easy to demonize the guy because he was the Gators’ golden boy. Some of that, I reflect, was a twinge of jealousy; had he been wearing the Garnet and Black, I’m sure I’d have been just as fanatical for Tebow.

But I am completely ambivalent about the Broncos and should therefore have no strong opinions about Tebow, right? Yet, I watched his game against the Steelers and was torn between rooting for him and rooting against him. Old habits die hard, I suppose. 

But there’s no denying the kid just has that spark. I won’t use the term “intangibles,” because what are those anyway? Tebow is a winner. Plain and simple. And while it might be easy to resent a winner, Tebow eschews all braggadocio and arrogance that one typically finds with his class of winner.

Instead, Tebow says all the right things in his post-game interview and not in that athlete-talking-point manner. You genuinely believe him when he gives thanks to his savior. When he credits his coaches for preparing him and making the necessary adjustments. When he praises his teammates for their efforts. When he acknowledges the support of his fans. When he offers respect to his opponents. When he downplays his talent and insists he can always be better. And when he puts the game in perspective by talking about a pre-game visit he had with a young girl in the hospital.

He’s a fucking saint, man. He’s the kind of person you want your kids to emulate. Don’t tell yourself otherwise. 

I roll my eyes any time an athlete makes an ass of himself by excessively celebrating his god-given talents on the field (or off). It’s a celebration of self. Tebow, on the other hand, chooses to express his gratitude in a more reflective and personal manner. It’s a celebration of faith.

Regardless of where you come down on heaven, hell and everything in between, I think it speaks more about us if we choose to mock or scoff at such a gesture. Maybe the problem most of us have with Tebow is he reminds us of how much better we could be.

Tags: Tebow
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