When the Detroit Lions’ Stephen Tulloch sacked Tim Tebow in the first quarter of their week eight matchup, the linebacker immediately kneeled next to the prone Denver quarterback, in a mockery of Tebow’s habit of praying on-field, most recently seen after his miraculous fourth-quarter comeback against the Dolphins the week before.
The insult coincided with and reinforced the explosion of “Tebowing” as an Internet meme, complete with a Twitter account and web-site. There you can see an act of communion with one’s creator rendered as a bit of pop-cultural ephemera, and you can scroll through pictures of folks striking the pose everywhere from Oxford to Istanbul, with that muddle of irony and enthusiasm that has become my generation’s trademark.
Advertisement
But there isn’t an ironic bone in Tim Tebow’s body. That’s what makes him conspicuous. That’s what makes the fact that he’s managed to stay squeaky clean, in a sport that notoriously is not, conspicuous. And it’s why the power of Tebow’s evangelical-Christian faith, and the earnestness with which he professes it, seems to annoy so many people.
Indeed, even other religious quarterbacks have, in a friendly way, advised Tebow to tone down his religiosity to avoid turning fans off. Said former Super Bowl champion Kurt Warner, himself known to have led on-field prayers: “I’d tell him, ‘Put down the boldness in regards to the words, and keep living the way you’re living. Let your teammates do the talking for you. Let them cheer on your testimony.’” Likewise, when Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was asked about Tebow in the context of his own, more subdued avowals of his faith, he quoted Saint Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.”
It’s easy to understand why Tulloch, a mediocre middle-linebacker who was a fourth-round pick out of NC State, would want to take Tebow down a peg. For good and for ill, head games and intimidation are as much a part of football as tackling is (not to mention that Tebow has four inches and a pound on Tulloch, and is a talented enough athlete that he’d probably make a better defensive back).
But there is also something a bit nastier in Tulloch’s mockery, in the phenomenon of “Tebowing” as a whole, and in the criticisms by former players like ex–Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer, who said of Tebow, “when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ, then I think I’ll like him a little better.”
So what is it that so many around football — players, pundits, fans — are so peeved about? Why has Tebow’s faith generated so much controversy and criticism in a sports-entertainment complex that is so filled with clichéd Jesus praise that, to quote Homer Simpson, you’d think God only helped professional athletes and Grammy winners?
Tebow is my new hero, and after 40+ years of supporting my old east coast team, I'm switching to Denver. Not because Tim is a great QB, which he may be, in time, not because he generates all the attention, but because he isn't afraid of his beliefs. Win, loose or draw on the field isn't his highest priority, his faith in God is. Allow me to explain. Back when i attended school, in the 50's and 60's, we started the day by doing 2 things. We read from the Bible, usually a Psalm or Proverb to honor God, then we ALL stood, hands over heart and recited the pledge, to honor country. After that, we were ready to learn. Back then, the biggest problem teachers had in the classroom was chewing gum in class, now?, they just want to survive the day in one piece. Now, you may think that's where it ended, but, you'd be wrong. Even on the saturday morning children's TV shows God was mentioned, proudly. Buffalo Bob from Hoody Doody ended every show with these words of wisdom, looking into the camera, close up, BB would admonish kids with, "now kids, don't forget church or sunday school." If someone from the Simsons said that today, they'd probably get arrested. We wonder what happened to America? We the people allowed one woman to throw God from our children's classroom, and America has been going downhill ever since. Imho, America needs more Tim Tebows. More men with the courage to stand up for what they believe, and not be afraid to show it.
I think young Tebow knows the target of the cynics is the Jewish Carpenter..."If the world hates you, you know it hated me before it hated you." John 15:18
Very well written piece. I am not a religious man but it is a bit disorienting to see someone behave with such real conviction. I respect his faith his play and his willingness to always work harder and not give up. America needs more of him...and if it takes him speaking about his religion to do so i am fine with that.
Very well written piece. I am not a religious man but it is a bit disorienting to see someone behave with such real conviction. I respect his faith his play and his willingness to always work harder and not give up. America needs more of him...and if it takes him speaking about his religion to do so i am fine with that.
To his detractors, I say "eat your hearts out". Tim Tebow is secure in his faith, and the haters will just shave years off their lives stressing about it.
He will sleep well, and the haters will stew. It is worthy of laughter...
As my wife pointed out when I talked to her about the "controversy" swirling around young Mr. Tebow, what Tebow does isn't about how other people feel about him, and it isn't about how other people feel about God.
What Tim Tebow does is about his relationship with God.
I have 5 sons and am thankful to have Tim Tebow as a wonderful role model. Character does indeed count. As does having a living faith that translates into real everyday life. I say God bless him and may his tribe increase
Good on Mr Tebow and Mr Foster, for recongnizing that most people want to find flaws in great leaders, Makes them feel better about themselves. Whether it's the football or political arena, moral character is seemingly just not important. Too many American would rather forgive the Vicks and Gingrichs of this country than support the moral, hardworking leaders of the game.
If people want to quote the Bible they should remind us of the pigs' reaction to Jesus.
That's what I'm reminded of when I see this gnashing of teeth at Tebow's faith from all of these pathetic men who've made football their religion.
If two people want to get sex changes and go at it in public I'm supposed to just deal with it and not watch it if I don't like it, but Tebow's praying on the field is a bigger problem than abortion for these "Christian" quarterbacks.
I'm a huge 49ers fan but I can admit that Steve Young can be one of the most arrogant fools and seems to think he's much smarter than he is. I'd take Tebow all day personality wise but then again I don't worship victory!
Wow, Mr. Foster right on. The more genuine the faith the more hatred it seems to stir up for no reason. I am a Dolphin's fan, hard core, but I had to appreciate what Tebow did to my poor fins, good for him! I am glad that he believes and genuinely as he seems too and lives it out. Let him speak there no harm in it and it it reveals so much about our current culture as you so rightly point out in this fine article. Again sir I say well done.
Mr. Foster makes some worthy observations about the declining NFL culture, but I'm not convinced Tim Tebow's devotion to God would be an issue if he were a black Christian, a Muslim or, more importantly, pro-choice. Now that the NFL is fully entrenched in politics - liberal Keith Olbermann as the face of Sunday Night Football is acceptable, but conservative Rush Limbaugh as a minority team owner is not - the same politically correct mentality at work elsewhere in America is on full display every Sunday afternoon in football stadiums across the nation. Thus, a white, Christian, pro-life young man who isn't ashamed of who he is and what he believes threatens the NFL's politically correct agenda. More importantly, if he becomes an NFL superstar, he would have the opportunity to infect others with what he has - good character and devout faith.
I recall a time when openly religious players in the NFL were placed on pedestals and praised for their good works, which included mentoring other players and acting as role models for young people. Many of those players were black men raised by single moms who credited the religious communities within which they were raised for their success on the field. One member of the 1985 Chicago Bears team was an ordained minister who led team prayers on and off the field. No one dared to ridicule his faith, but that was before political correctness came to the NFL and Americans cheered for the good guys.
It says something profound - and unsettling - about the collective character of our country when criticizing a person's goodness becomes a national pastime, when people in the sports business publicly campaign for the failure of a young quarterback because he has the audacity to live a good and religious life, while insisting an NFL player who killed dogs for sport and spent time in prison deserves a second chance. Isn't being the best they can be what we encourage our children to strive for? Unfortunately, in America today being the best means being the best athlete or rock star or business man and making a lot of money. It doesn't mean being the best person.
Excellent post, Jenna; and a very good article, Mr. Foster. I agree, if Tebow did not wear his Christianity on his sleeve, we would not be seeing all of this hostility. The narrative originally was his success as a college quarterback would not translate well in the NFL. Then after he won a few games, the narrative was it was a fluke and it would all change next week. Now, he is 5-1. Only Aaron Rodgers has a better record as a starter this year. The narrative has changed again, but not to give Tebow credit, rather it is, "Well, there are 10 other players on the field doing their part; it's not just Tebow." Or, "The defense deserves the credit because they keep the game close enough, which allows Tebow to have a shot to win it in the 4th quarter." While this is all true, because football is a team sport, I find it laughable that the pundits just cannot admit that Tebow is a talented quarterback. He is unorthodox, but he has a multi-dimensional approach to the game. In fairness, there are some who give him credit, and the article at the link below makes a case that statistically, Tebow simply out performs the opposing quarterbacks, which leads to the victories. The problem is that the normal view of how a quarterback is to perform is being challenged by Tebow's style of play. The multi-dimensional nature of his game makes him an effective quarterback, even if he does not throw the ball as effectively as other QBs. We should all just sit back and enjoy the show.
Jenna, very well said. I wounder if Tim Tebow was kneeling on a pray rug if anyone would condemn him?
Our society needs strong role models. Where is the religious tolerance we hear so much about? Once again the tolerance seems to be for anything but Christianity. Mark Stein has a great article on the same NRO page. Our world is changing faster than we realize and we had better pray that God is on our side. Thank God for Tim Tebow and his courage to walk the talk!!
Imagine our country with millions of young men like Tim Tebow. Would we be worse or better off?
I am the proud father of 5 wonderful young men and am thankful for Tim's role model example. A living faith that lives, breathes, and speaks to a culture is indeed the salt and light so desperately needed today. And, yes, character counts!
Follow
