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.
For the record, I defend the right of Mormons to proselytize even though I do not agree with their theology. It's a free country.
You have defended the Mormons: do you thus also defend the right of an athlete to give thanks to God during an interview where he is asked to give his thoughts/opinions?
May the Lord bless you, sister in Christ!
So far this year....no. They are after all 0-6.
Yes, but I still think it is silly!
Hmmmmmm I dont recall Tim saying anything like that. He just expressed his gratitude for a victory. You are reading into what he said and inferring the opposite meaning. Perhaps you really don't like him???
I totally agree - what gets into those grown men to want to make a spectacle of themselves? I wouldn't do that for a million dollars!
I left after Half Time and Regret it now.. Got Teebow..He is going to be a star. And F-— all his critics..
“Faith is a personal endeavor,you don’t share it like a bottle of wine”....
Well, eastforker, the author of my faith says differently.
As along time Dolphins fan and and a believer in God and Tebow, I watched a lot of TV sport shows today!
I watched the slime ball comedian(?) and others slam Tebow for his religious opinion and have only one question.
Why don’t you try getting in RAY LEWIS’s face about his religion? Or maybe someone who will not turn the other cheek!
:o) Its true!
Just checked John Unitas’s first starts, 5/7
John Elways first year was 4/6.
Some people just need to take a deep breathe and relax, what will be will be!
A further note a great comedian and great person, Red Skelton, always closed his shows with “GOD BLESS!”.
No. I like Tim.
You need to study the philosophical entanglements of an athlete praising his gods after a his success and his adversaries defeat. The argument is not superficial.
David is STILL open about his beliefs. He embodied the finest character of any basketball player I’ve ever worked with - - and there’s been a LOT.
I didn’t know you worked with the great David Robinson...were you part of the Spurs staff? What’s he doing nowadays?
I really missed the twin towers concept of the Spurs when David and Tim Duncan dominated the frontline of the Spurs. They were unbeatable.
Albert hits one out of the park pretty often.
GO CARDS!!!!
But did Tim Tebow say that God opposed the Dolphins as you have alluded to?
For he didst call upon Yahweh to help him smite the Phishlistines.
Book of Audibles: 3rd and 10.
I love this kid. If only I were 20 years younger...
"Your talent is a gift from God. What you do with that talent is your gift back to Him."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.