Posted on 10/24/2011 7:59:29 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Evangelical football star Tim Tebow thanked Jesus Christ after leading the Denver Broncos to an 18–15 overtime win over the Miami Dolphins in Florida Sunday, not giving in to critics who are averse to his open display of his Christian faith.
“First off, I have to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and my teammates … they believed in me for more than 60 minutes,” Athlon Sports quoted Tebow as saying right after the surprise win.
It was a dramatic victory. During the first 54 minutes, Tebow’s play was far from impressive. But then it was as if Tebow had suddenly realized the expectations his fans have from the National Football League player who does not shy away from giving glory to God.
“You can’t lose confidence in yourself or you’ve lost already,” Tebow, son of missionaries to the Philippines, said. “When you get knocked down, you’ve got to keep getting back up.”
When less than six minutes were left and the Miami Dolphins were focusing on defense, Tebow rose to the challenge, rallying the Broncos to two touchdowns.
When Denver lined up for the 2-point attempt for overtime, the Dolphins spread their defense across the field. Tebow ran off between the players, untouched, for the conversion. In overtime, Matt Prater kicked a 52-yard field goal, sealing the victory.
Two days before the game, Jeff Darlington, a reporter at nfl.com, said Tebow “has become one of sports’ most polarizing figures.” “Thousands love him to a degree rarely seen,” he wrote. “The same, though, can be said about the degree to which a massive group also hates him… There exists a website called ‘TebowHaters.com’ and a Facebook page dubbed ‘I hate Tim Tebow.’”
“It really blows my mind,” the reporter quoted Dolphins center Mike Pouncey, as saying. “You talk about a guy that’s in the church, doesn’t do drugs, doesn’t drink alcohol, lives right, won the Heisman, won the national championship in college,” said Pouncey, who spent three seasons as an offensive lineman for Tebow at the University of Florida.
Tebow’s acclaim includes being the first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy and the first college football player to both rush and pass for 20 touchdowns in a season.
“Maybe people don’t like the fact that he has accomplished so much,” Dolphins running back Reggie Bush told Darlington. “And maybe some people just don’t think he’s a good quarterback. Everyone has an opinion … People look for a reason to hate you. With Tebow, though, it’s almost like they think it’s too good to be true.”
Tebow has cared little about his critics.
At college in Florida, Tebow frequently wore biblical verses on his eye black. In the 2009 Bowl Championship Series, he wore “John 3:16” on his eye paint, reportedly causing 92 million people to search the verse on Google. Later, Tebow switched to “Proverbs 3:5-6,” again causing 3.43 million searches of the verse together with “Tim Tebow.” The NFL, however, later banned writing on the eye black.
It isn't any different with Tim. Though I do believe the fact his mom chose to ignore the doctors warning to abort him, is what really riles up the left. Tebow is a poster boy for what IS possible.
If it’s Gee-zas who makes him win, then it must be the same damn Gee-zas who makes him lose when he does lose, no?
alluded?
I cited the back side of his argument. If god was for Tim, the ipso-facto relationship of the argument is that he was against the Dolphins.
(no caps for argument’s sake)
I do not go around advertising my faith, but will explain it if asked. Perhaps it was all those years working as a wedding photographer and finding out what jerks all the “religious leaders” are. Perhaps it’s just my style.
I understand that, too.
Yes it is ok. You have all sorts of excuses to hate on God and people who show repect for the Lord of all that is.
PS Tim is not running around yelling Jesus is Lord like muslims do with akbar allah
Only if he is a fool. Thanking God for a win only acknowledges that the win falls within His plan. The opposition player who prayed but lost just as likely to have thanked God for the opportunity to play a kids game for a lot of money, and that he was not hurt in the contest. Have you ever been to an NFL game? Have you ever seen players from both teams praying together during warmups, postgame or especially when a player from either team is severely injured on the field? The acknowledgement of a soveriegn God in everyday life goes way beyond wins and losses. You should try it some time.
I’ll bet He wins every year.
Your conclusion is essentially just an interpretation, a perception.
I think Tim Tebow was just being thankful. I am willing to give a missionary for Christ the benefit of the doubt. That he was just being grateful for a victory, and any Christian should be grateful. They should give thanks for the victory they should give thanks that they did not get hurt.
The Bible teaches us this...
1 Thess 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
And there are many more...
Safe to say Vick will not be on his team.
I wish he’d spread a little more love to the Bears and give that front line some more moxy or Butler may wind up being a “greezy” spot on the turf by the end of the season.
Small world, isn't it?
Thank God for Tim Tebow.
Still waiting...
Pretty much the whole Redskins team was very openly and vocally Christian in the 80’s under Joe Gibbs. They managed to get to 3 Super Bowls, won 2, and no one dared criticize him or them.
Heck if I know. Perhaps you should ask him!
Glad Tebow’s a Christian and isn’t afraid to show it, but come on now. I seriously doubt God cares about who wins a football game. I have a hunch He is more concerned about more important things.
OK so you only have conjecture... Figures.
Perhaps you would like to read more about that tactic.
All coins have two sides, as do all statements. One does not have to say something to have their statement infer it.
Tim's a good man. He wanted to praise God, something which I believe should be done in prayer, between friends or from the pulpit - not in public. The selective praise leaves openings for valid criticism, as I pointed out. Tim would never say that God was against the Dolphins, because he's a good man and because that would be an incredibly stupid thing to say. (Are you listening?)
If God is omniscient, he knows what's in our hearts and minds. We don't have to go-a-praising every time we see a microphone or crowd.
Go Broncos!
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