Any NFL fans out there? How about that Tebow?

[narnia4]

I'd assume that most who aren't from the US wouldn't be familiar with American football. But for those who are (and if you aren't his story is worth looking up), its just amazing the way that Tebow has captured the country's attention. I've doubted him as a passer, but he's like living proof of the value of faith and leadership on the football field.

Not quite as interesting as the person but very interesting nonetheless is the reaction to Tim Tebow. The way he's divided sports fans. In a way I "get" overexposure and thinking that he's just not that good and gets credit for his team winning, but its clearly more than that as well. Its his religion. He drives people crazy, and yet if you watch him he appears completely sincere (and that's the first thing that many commentators will say, that they talked to him and that he is genuine), he takes lots of time out for his fans, nobody who knows him has ever had a bad word to say about him... and yet some people somehow still hate his guts.

So I can't help but root for the guy. I read somewhere (can't recall where and if it was just an opinion piece or actually had statistics to back it up) that he's the most influential Christian in the country right now, and I don't really doubt it. Imo he's just done a great job of representation and working to the glory and honor of Christ.

So anyone agree or disagree. Any non-Christians got an opinion on him, I've talked to several (mostly online) who like him a lot (although many add "except for the religious freak thing").

[B. W.]

I'd assume that most who aren't from the US wouldn't be familiar with American football. But for those who are (and if you aren't his story is worth looking up), its just amazing the way that Tebow has captured the country's attention. I've doubted him as a passer, but he's like living proof of the value of faith and leadership on the football field.

Not quite as interesting as the person but very interesting nonetheless is the reaction to Tim Tebow. The way he's divided sports fans. In a way I "get" overexposure and thinking that he's just not that good and gets credit for his team winning, but its clearly more than that as well. Its his religion. He drives people crazy, and yet if you watch him he appears completely sincere (and that's the first thing that many commentators will say, that they talked to him and that he is genuine), he takes lots of time out for his fans, nobody who knows him has ever had a bad word to say about him... and yet some people somehow still hate his guts.

So I can't help but root for the guy. I read somewhere (can't recall where and if it was just an opinion piece or actually had statistics to back it up) that he's the most influential Christian in the country right now, and I don't really doubt it. Imo he's just done a great job of representation and working to the glory and honor of Christ.

So anyone agree or disagree. Any non-Christians got an opinion on him, I've talked to several (mostly online) who like him a lot (although many add "except for the religious freak thing").

I live North of Denver Colorado - so I know the Team... and seen Tebow play and pray...

That takes courage to stand for Christ in the NFL or anywhere in the public eye with so many haters of Christ out there. So Pray that Tebow stays true to Chrsit and note how he plays, not as a superstar Elway, but as only a small part of a larger team.
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[Echoside]

There are not many people in the spotlight as humble or genuine as Tebow.

He might not be the best QB we've ever seen but his attitude is in the right place, and it has been even since college. And that is why this man wins games.

[Murray]

People take such issue with public displays of faith in the NFL. But why? Is tebow a horrible role model? A modest, fit, loving, caring, missionary why devoted his life to Jesus Christ?

He takes such hard hits for his Faith, but yet the NFL is filled with criminals (dog fighters, illegal firearms, shooting, steroids, marijuana, egoistic fiends, ect...).

Atheist despise him because he uses his position in the spotlight as a platform to praise Jesus, but yet they take no care into steroid beef heads who care only about furthering their ego.

Thing I love about Tebow is he does not "peddle the word of god for profit", but rather he preaches only to reach out to the lost and give credit where credit is due. More people hate him than love him because of his strong faith.

Since my redskins are already eliminated, I'm hopping on the Tebow bandwaggon.

God Bless Tim Tebow

[jestes]

Is tebow a horrible role model? A modest, fit, loving, caring, missionary why devoted his life to Jesus Christ?

Yup. Maybe he'll grow up one day and do a porn video, get arrested 10 times for a DUI, and spend all of his money on drugs. Nobody wants a role model who is loving, honest, and faithful. That's outdated...

I hope God doesn't mind sarcasm occasionally.

[RickD]

Sorry, Tim. Tebow time ran out. Looks like "Brady Time" now!

[Furstentum Liechtenstein]

It seems only Americans are posting on this Tim Tebow thread. I'm no sports fan and I live in French-speaking Canada where the NFL is of no great importance, yet I have heard of Tebow because of his witness. The media here tends to make fun of him.

I'm wondering if those of you living in the UK and Slobovia* have heard of Tim Tebow?

FL

*Reactionary comes to mind.

[Canuckster1127]

I like Tim. I think he's an exciting football player. I think as a young man of 24 who already has a statue of himself erected where he played College Football and who has garnered all the media attention that he's done a remarkable job if keeping his head about him and remaining true to his values. In terms of all the hype for or against him based on his faith, I return to my first comment. I think he's an exciting football player.

[Philip]

What is very interesting - and revealing - about the whole Tim Tebow thing, is not Tebow as much as it is the reactions to a few simple quiet seconds of a man on his knee. For an obvious reason, that really bothers a lot of people. That and people hoping he will fail so that it will fit in with (and supposedly validate) their desire to mock those of faith.

Gotta agree with Rick, looks like Brady is gonna be hard to beat. No huddle offense, excellent blocking, very efficient short routes to the outsides with exceptionally quick pass releases/good catches. Looks like the Patriots are firing on all cylinders.

[narnia4]

I say defense still wins championships. Two record-breaking NFL offenses lose to two defenses that arguably aren't even "great" defenses in the same week, very very good yes but you wouldn't expect that to make the difference.

I like Tebow a lot but honestly the Patriots had their number in the regular season as well and it was a pretty easy out. Bad defenses can turn it around in the playoffs, but if they don't I expect the Ravens to win that game because they're solid on both sides of the ball. Although honestly at this point, I wouldn't count out anybody.

If I had to bet on anybody, it may be the Giants (I'm a Packer fan btw). There are lots of ways to win, but being able to pressure the quarterback with only four is the single best way that I can think of. That's how the Giants beat possible the best offense of all time in Super Bowl XLII, they have that look again. So unlike the Patriots, they have the defense and the quarterback.

[Ivellious]

As far as Tebow goes...I really do like him. I like the way he plays, how hard he works, the way he's been an underdog since he got to the NFL, that he's more or less succeeded in the short-term...I also appreciate his general sincerity and the way he just seems to go about life and sports and being a good role model for everyone.

But personally, I don't throw his religion into any of that. I actually think that if you remove the fame from his public displays of faith, he reminds me a lot of Joe Mauer (baseball player for the Minnesota Twins). As far as his faith goes, I'm not a Christian and I don't really pay much attention to Tebow's prayer. Lots of NFL players in particular like to praise God in their post-game celebrations and interviews. Tebow is really just getting famous about it because he's more interesting than most sports stars given his underdog story and his sudden ability to win games in the pros.

I disagree that it takes a ton of courage to be overt about your faith. Sure, there are non-Christians out there, but a huge majority of NFL fans are Christian, so that doesn't seem to be a big deal. It's be a more courageous thing by that criteria if one of the Muslim or Atheist NFL players were to start talking about their faith to the media. Tebow comes from an overwhelmingly and extremely Christian state (Florida) and has been around Christianity his whole life...so it's not really an amazing thing to me that he shows it. It's great that he can be honest and truthful about his faith, but I don't see it as being anything spectacular or commendable. I appreciate his honesty and how good of a person he is before I appreciate his Christian-ness.

[Danieltwotwenty]

I disagree that it takes a ton of courage to be overt about your faith. Sure, there are non-Christians out there, but a huge majority of NFL fans are Christian, so that doesn't seem to be a big deal. It's be a more courageous thing by that criteria if one of the Muslim or Atheist NFL players were to start talking about their faith to the media. Tebow comes from an overwhelmingly and extremely Christian state (Florida) and has been around Christianity his whole life...so it's not really an amazing thing to me that he shows it. It's great that he can be honest and truthful about his faith, but I don't see it as being anything spectacular or commendable. I appreciate his honesty and how good of a person he is before I appreciate his Christian-ness.

I agree somewhat with what you are saying but I can only speak from my own experience and not Tebow's as I am sure I have absolutely no idea about how this person was bought up, you seem to be making some assumptions about Tebow that only he would know himself.
We have no idea of what has influenced Tebow in the past good, bad, or neutral for all we know he copped it constantly from team mates all day everyday.

From my experience it is hard to stand there and show everyone what you believe, the ridicule and taunts take their toll but we persevere because that is who we are and it takes guts and determination to do that. In Tebows case he is doing this in the spotlight under intense scrutiny and judgement, I would commend anyone of faith be that Christian, atheist or whatever.

Now let's talk about a real game of football where we don't need armour or helmets aka AFL.

Dan

[narnia4]

An article about Tebow-

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7455 ... -tim-tebow

He is just a good guy and a good "light". Tebow has been doing this stuff forever and he doesn't flaunt it. What's amazing is that virtually every secular sports media website, tv show, or radio show recognizes this (obviously a few individuals will be contrarians about it). He just has a tremendous personal reputation that he's earned.

Whenever you put your personal beliefs out there for the entire country to examine, imo that takes an amount of courage.

Does this mean we should start worshiping Tebow, no. But its refreshing to see.

[RickD]

Great move, Tim!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/0 ... f=religion

[narnia4]

This isn't about Tebow, but I thought I'd mention it here instead of starting a new thread. But the NBA has its own version of Tebow, a possibly even more remarkable one. Jeremy Lin for the Knicks. Undrafted, didn't even get a scholarship, played for Harvard. Like Tebow, outspoken about his faith. Injuries to Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire being out as well (the two big name stars, for those of you who don't follow basketball) were just a couple of factors that contributed to Lin getting substantial playing time and quickly getting the start. And he's been simply unreal, he's put up great numbers and scored a couple game winners and generated tremendous interest all around.

I saw one tweet by a sports media member that brought up the interesting twist that Tebow was actually the one born in Asia while Lin is the one that wants to someday be a pastor. Interesting.