Tim Tebow, Broncos' Quarterback, not God's

Tim Tebow, Broncos' Quarterback, not God's

At the risk of taking issue with the Wall Street Journal’s Patton Dodd, I don’t think Denver Bronco’s Tim Tebow is “God’s Quarterback.” I don’t even know if God follows the NFL or if He cares much about football. I do know, however, that Tebow is a religious lightning rod and that much of the criticism surrounding him reflects more on his critics than on Tebow.

Dodd does provide a litany of the quarterback’s altruistic activities both at the University of Florida where he “re-shaped campus culture” and since he joined the Broncos as well as testimonials to his model behavior. Spending his summers working with the poor in the Phillipines and raising $340,000 for charity while a Gator were prefatory to establishing a charitable family foundation.

Dodd also notes a marked contrast between Tebow and the significant number of star athletes who have recently used their stardom, and wealth, to engage in criminal and anti-social–dare I say immoral?–conduct. Among others, he cites Tiger Woods, Plaxico Buress, and Michael Vick.

Neither his admirable qualities nor contrasts with less admirable athletes qualify Tebow qualify Tebow as a saint or God’s designated quarterback. Neither should they disqualify him from objective recognition of his accomplishments.

Tim Tebow is no Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, or Peyton Manning–not yet, anyway–but he has caused an unprecedented uproar in the sports world that has surpassed few previous uproars, and little of it relates to his athletic abilities.

True, his wobbly passes and unconventional proclivity to run the ball have drawn valid criticism from NFL opponents and sports writers who ostensibly ridicule only his wobblies and unconventionality. However, it’s really the God thing, Tebow’s public affirmations of his relgiosity, that seems to bug many in the wide world of sports.

This Sunday’s game with Tom Brady’s New England Patriots is being characterized as Tebow’s biggest challenge to date, with both the Broncos and the Patriots desperate for a victory and Tebow, not desparate after leading the Broncos to seven wins in the eight games he’s started, but entitled.

Tim Tebow is entitled to some respect in addition to recognition.

Whether or not Tebow pulls off another amazing comeback victory and takes his team to the playoffs, it’s doubtful he’ll get it. He just has too many liabilities. (Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=10775.)