Tim Tebow is my Homeboy, and Homeboy’s Savior is on Trial

I am a Browns fan from birth (pray for me) and because of “The Drive” and “The Fumble” my fellow Milk-Bone tossing friends and I aren’t historically big Denver Broncos advocates. That being said I’ve got to admit that I’ve been won over by Tim Tebow. The guy is a true warrior with an unquenchable thirst for victory. Unfortunately for Tim Tebow, apparently he’s on trial.

Obviously, whoever coined the phrase “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink” has never met Tim Tebow. The second year quarterback out of Florida is now 5-1 after taking the Bronco’s reigns from Kyle Orton. Tebow is a former Heisman Trophy Winner, National Champion, a NFL 2010 first round draft pick and an all around class act. And he and the Bronco’s have done has something remarkable already this year insofar as they have rallied and a new nationwide fan-base for the Broncos through their divinely inspired play.

Yet, in spite of the wins and Tebow’s obvious success, heart and dedication for football, critics of Tebow continue lash out with a flurry of criticism. They say that “he can’t throw the ball”, that “he cries too much”, they “don’t like the #Tebowing” (getting down on one knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different). The truth is though that many people just don’t like that Tim Tebow is a devout Christian. Such criticism often comes in the way of backhanded compliments like that of former Bronco quarterback Jake Plummer who recently said on Phoenix radio station “I think he’s a winner and I respect that about him. I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ, then I think I’ll like him a little better. I don’t hate him because of that, I just would rather not have to hear that every time he takes a good snap or makes a good handoff.”

ESPN analyst Skip Bayless, questioning such criticism of Tebow, later said on ESPN “…I sense growing resentment of Tim Tebow. Something deeper is going on here…”

ESPN analyst Steven A Smith responded to Bayless with what he thinks is happening. He said:

“…The fact that he (Tim Tebow) was been elevated as human being the way he has is going to open the gateway, the floodgates for a shrapnel of criticism to come in his direction because – understand what Tim Tebow means to a lot of Americans… Ok, you have those folks, we call it the religious right or whatever the case may be… you’ve got that element – there’s no denying that, Ok. And people who hate on him for that should be ashamed of themselves… (Jake) Plummers comment the other day was completely uncalled for and over the line. Tim Tebow did nothing to deserve that. But, there is the other side… we’re all running about this world doing our thing. When it seems as if you have a plethora of Americans that are trying to elevate him as a human being, ultimately what they are saying to you is ‘this is the standard that we want to be able to apply to everybody else.’ And particularly as it pertains to sports fanatics and aficionados, people of that ilk, when they look at the common athlete and they say that there is no way that they can live up to that. You know – you are wearing your religion on your sleeve, you are getting down on one knee, you’re praising God at every turn – which I applaud by the way – you are doing all of these things, your celibate, your not going to engage… ahhhh – people ain’t tryin’ to hear that. People don’t want to be subjected to those kinds of standards, because in their heart of hearts they don’t want to be forced to have to live up to it. So when you have somebody like a Tim Tebow, who is sitting in that position, that he is sayin’ ‘I don’t mind taking on that mantle’ it almost builds resentment – because most folks are saying, ‘I can’t live up to that. I’ll be damned if…’ it makes them uncomfortable. That has a lot to do with it. So it’s not hatred for him, it’s not hatred about him – it’s about, waita minute, we don’t want that standard.”

So essentially what Smith is saying is that people don’t want to have to live up to the high standard that they see Tim Tebow emulating as he actively follows Jesus Christ. They don’t want people to publicly display their religion. They don’t want athlete’s to have to live up to a high standard of moral and ethical behavior.

I think Smith is spot on here but I would question why is what he says the case? Why wouldn’t we want our professional athletes to be role models for our children? What’s wrong with athlete’s talking publically about their faith? It doesn’t seem to me that anyone bashes Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, or Hakeem Olajuwon for professing their faith in Islam. Maybe, in light of recent-years bad sports fan behavior, some of which originates in my own Cleveland Dawg Pound or even in the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry (See my post on that: Here), maybe higher standards for fans should be encouraged by society.

The truth is that Tim Tebow isn’t on trial here – Jesus Christ is.

The crazy and awesome thing about Tim Tebow is that he follows Jesus well enough that he hasn’t yet been baited into fighting his critics at all. He knows better than that – because Christ calls Christians to something better than that, he calls them to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-42). Actually, when Jake Plummer made the aforementioned comment and Tebow was asked about it you know what he said? He humbly said this:

“Well first I’d say ‘thank you’ for the compliment of calling me a winner. And then I’d also say, you know, if you are married and you have a wife and you really love your wife – is it good enough to say to your wife ‘I Love you’ only the day that you get married? Or should you tell he every single day when you wake up at every opportunity. And that’s how I feel about my relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the most important thing in my life. So any time I get the opportunity to tell him that I love him or give him the opportunity to shout him out on National T.V., I’m going to take that opportunity. So I look at it as a relationship that I have with him that I want to give him the honor and the glory every-time I have the opportunity. And then, right after I give him the honor and glory, I try to give my teammate the honor and glory – and that’s how it works because Christ comes first in my life, and then my family, and then my teammates. And so – you know, I respect Jake’s opinion and I really appreciate his compliment of calling me a winner, but I feel like any time I get the opportunity to give the Lord some praise, He is due for it because of what he did for me and what He did on the cross for all of us. And so I really appreciate his (Plummer’s) opinion, and I respect him, but I still will give all of the honor and glory to the Lord because he deserves it.”

Enough said – I’m a Browns fan but I’m buying a Tebow Jersey.

To Tim’s critics, my advice is that you might consider learning a thing or two from brother Tebow – for instance:

Football may last for a season in one’s lifetime – but Jesus, well…
Jesus Christ is forever.

So keep up the good work Tim, and keep on #Tebowing.

28 Comments

Timothy Furnish

Mr. Benek,
That is just a top-notch article! Bravo!
Again, the substance is excellent! (And this coming from a Bengals fan….).
Tim Furnish

28 Nov 2011 02:11 pm (@occidentaljihad)
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Don Stark

Well said!
As you alluded to, the people who “hate” on Tim are not really aiming it at him.
Whether they realize it or not, their “hate” is really directed toward the Lord Jesus Christ and Tim Tebow is just the target of their hate.
God bless Tim for the stand he takes for his Lord.
Those who are hating on him will reap what they are sowing; may God have mercy on them.

28 Nov 2011 02:11 pm (@Twitter)
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Scott

Tebow rubs me the wrong way, but it has nothing to do with his religion, and everything to do with the way the media has seen fit to lionize him, despite his poor play overall.

I think you’re trying too hard to force your religious views into this issue. You need to step outside of yourself a bit and realize that religion isn’t as central an issue to many people as it seems to be to you. You don’t appear to have made any effort to understand the points of view of the people you’re writing about.

In total, I found your article to be pretentious and presumptuous. It comes off as a holier than thou screed, designed to build yourself up by using gross generalizations about a group as an excuse to moralize.

29 Nov 2011 11:11 pm (@Twitter)
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- Allyson Kulinski
  
  I absolutely, categorically agree with you! Tim Tebow is a fine person. I respect him and even thank the gods that I can point my boys to a player with high moral standards. None of those things have anything to do with the bandwagon.
  
  Benek is correct. In my opinion it isn't Tebow who is my issue. My problem isn't him or his religion. More power to ya dude. What has rubbed me the wrong way since the beginning of this whole phenomenon is the media treating him as if he were the second coming of Christ.
  
  06 Dec 2011 12:12 am (@Twitter)
- Travis Caperton
  
  Well said.
  
  06 Dec 2011 09:12 pm (@Twitter)
Russell Jones

Ironic how you quote StevenA since he has been Skip Bayless’ counterpoint– great catch Honest analysis…

30 Nov 2011 12:11 am (@Twitter)
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Karen Conner

Great article. I am a die-hard COLTS fan but I’m cheering for Tim and the Bronco’s. As a Christian, I am DELIGHTED to see someone representing Jesus and not their own right-winged, hate filled holy-than-thou version of Christianity.

30 Nov 2011 04:11 pm (@Twitter)
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Salvdor

God is an imaginary friend for adults and thus so is his son.

05 Dec 2011 03:12 am (@Twitter)
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Olayemi Eric Ogunbase

Tim is going to keep doing his thing, because he knows where all success comes from.

At first it was amazing to me that he was getting as much hate as he was. Especially since he didn’t have the “look at me” attitude that is so common with athletes. But anyone who publicly “gives a shout out” to Jesus is going to be a lightning rod for criticism from the world.

Remember, they hated Jesus first…

05 Dec 2011 05:12 am (@Twitter)
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Martin

If the haters are hating because Tim represents his chosen religion well, then I hope he has thick skin. That he chooses to openly and frequently express his faith and love for Jesus is fine with me. That he can articulate the why and include his family and teammates makes me respect him even more. I am not a religious person but find HONEST devotion to ones religion very admirable. Tim BELIEVES in things strongly and that will serve him VERY WELL in his life. If what he believes in doesn’t agree with people, and they hate/dislike/shun him for it, those folks are very short sighted indeed.

05 Dec 2011 04:12 pm (@Twitter)
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Eric M Miller

First, i thank God for His grace and compassion for every life that has ever been conceived. His life, death, resurrection and ascension to heaven mean that i have the Free Choice to serve Him daily! This is THE foundation of who Tim Tebow is! He is thankful for his opportunity to know the saving Grace of Jesus Christ! He is thankful to live empowered and protected by The Holy Spirit (Tebow is highly scrutinized and polarizing but he is protected Through God’s strength)!
My Pastor mentioned just yesterday that we must be insulated from the world but not isolated! For me Tebow’s life has gained importance because God has called him to be a vessel that He could use. Tebow has accepted that calling.
My pastor also mentioned that we as Christians have fallen in love with our gifts and callings and fallen away from the ‘Discipline of them’. Along with a calling comes a responsibility to Practicing giving God glory both Publicly but most importantly privately! The fruit that Tebow bears indicated almost ceratainly that he practices in private to a greater degree than what we see in public! I strive to be like that!
As Christians who have accepted our faults, asked forgiveness and believe that He is coming again we have some things to do as it pertains to Tim Tebow! Another highly visible vessel is the Sherwood Ministries which have created several movies including Facing the Giants, Fireproof and Courageous among other earlier movies.
These supernatural vessels of God’s are extremely important to the delivery of His Saving Grace message! He would not have given them so much influence if He had not equipped them to handle it. Yet we still have a partnering responsiblity, similar to Paul asking in his various letters for Help in his ministries, to lift them up.There are other HIGHLY influential Christian leaders bands, musicians, etc. that we must lift up as well.
These two however, Tebow and Sherwood Ministries because of Technology, social media and the popularization of sports and movies have a platform that we may have never seen before to this degree? I am sure this is debateable but i think you will get my point. God has really put Sherwood Ministries and Tebow on my heart to lift them up and pray for protection, “insulation” from the hate the world has for Jesus Christ!
For those that read this blog or any other article about Tebow remeber His whole point is to tell the world about Jesus’ love for us! If you have never really understood that you are a sinner you can today. Simply ask forgiveness right at your computer, smart phone, or iPad. Acknowledge Jesus and ask Him into your life to help insulate you from Hate and eternal death! Then tell someone you know or visit a local church and just see what happens. Maybe it is better than you have ever experienced or heard of before.

05 Dec 2011 05:12 pm (@bigcat1408)
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Bob H

Pray for him because the world will really be watching him when things don’t go well and they will want to see if it is for real in the bad times. Many Christians think that God wants us to succeed according to the worlds standards of success, by winning games or financial increase but that is not true at all. Remember the cross looked like a total failure but we know the rest of the story!

05 Dec 2011 05:12 pm (@Twitter)
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Rob

Great article Mr Benek. Props to you. Give em heaven, Tebow

06 Dec 2011 06:12 pm (@Twitter)
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Travis Caperton

Ok, first of all, I believe Tim Tebow to be an outstanding person. I have a quote from him on my wall: “What I CAN control is my attitude, my effort, and my focus, every single day.” …words to live by that I teach to my children.
I don’t know him personally, but by all accounts he is sincere and “walks the walk” of a good Christian man, a WWJD kind of fella, which makes him worthy of the popular perception of him being a “real man.” His overtly pretentious religiousness makes him worthy of being considered a real douche.
Tebow has clearly achieved great things and he is undeniably a winning football player, although it’s a good thing his team has a very good defense. My only complaint is the same as Jake Plummer’s. Why does he feel so compelled to separate himself from the 6 billion people in the world who are not Christian? It infers some sense of righteous superiority. It is misguided and insensitive.

Think about this:

If he were “real Muslim man” lying down on the 30-yard line facing Mecca and chanting in Arabic about Allah at every opportunity I think there would be some people around here whose heads would explode! At the very least, most people would want him to just shut up and play football. With the stage that his celebrity affords him, why can’t he promote universally helpful ideas that bring people together like equal rights? Or he could just shut up and play football.

I would like to know how he reconciles these scriptures:

Matt. 6:5 – “hypocrites…love to stand and pray…in order to be seen of men” Matt. 6:6 – “when you pray, go into your inner room, pray to your Father in secret”

Perhaps Mr Benek could explain?

06 Dec 2011 09:12 pm (@Twitter)
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- truthiness
  
  well said.
  
  06 Dec 2011 11:12 pm (@Twitter)
- Christopher Benek
  
  Travis,
  Thanks for your post and for asking.
  
  I believe, when Jesus is quoted in context in Matthew 6:5-6 he is referring to the specific Pharisaic practice that sought to glorify the person praying instead of God. In other words, by Jesus’ account, the Pharisee’s were being “fake” in their prayer and we should be intentional to not emulate such behavior. So this raises the obvious question: Is Tim Tebow’s intent genuine? By your account you seem to think so. If Tebow is an “outstanding person” and he is sincere as he “walks the walk” of a good Christian man like you suggest, then we shouldn’t worry that he is following in the Pharisaic line. From what I have seen of him to date, I have not seen anything to imply that his intention is to self glorify.
  
  As for your point about Muslims… I personally have no problem with Muslims giving praise to Allah if that is their belief. If the intent of the act is to simply, peacefully honor one’s God/god(s) I don’t see what should forbid them from doing so. People pay to watch football. It is not a right. If people don’t like what they get they don’t have to pay to watch it. Freedom to worship whatever God/god(s) one wishes is an equal right. So, in a very tangible way, Tim Tebow is indeed supporting equal rights to all regarding freedom of religious expression.
  
  Finally, we should remember that Jesus too, being raised Jewish, was also “overtly religious”. I personally don’t see this as “(self-)righteous superiority” but instead as righteous humility.
  
  ~ Blessings
  
  07 Dec 2011 01:12 am (@benekcj)
- NameNT4thBook
  
  Truthfully, if there were a Muslim, who prayed in games, Tebow would have more fans.
  When folks see a man on bent knee, it makes them uneasy. It is not natural to see a man submit to something. Yet, deep down they know there is something there. The witnessing of such an act forces them to consider the forces beyond this world. Who am I? Folks want football to be the best of life. But, Tebow, on bent knee, shows them more.
  
  10 Dec 2011 06:12 am (@Twitter)
- Tyson Wyman
  
  So your psychic? Finish reading the bible those quotes are meant for people who only profess in public. Are you stating that you know all of Tim Tebows actions therefore you can judge him for his lack of private worship?
  
  12 Dec 2011 08:12 pm (@Twitter)
hcg injections

…this is wonderful blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.

08 Dec 2011 11:12 pm (@Twitter)
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jsamek

Great article Mr. Benek. I am a Steeler fan, You, a Browns fan, and yet, I agree with everything you said. Nicely done. Good responses to everyone as well.

09 Dec 2011 09:12 pm (@Twitter)
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Crimsonblack

Great Article! I don’t like the Broncos. I like the Florida Gators and followed mr. Tebow there. The more crapola I hear the bigger the fan I become. I would love to have him on the Miami Dolphins as their starter. I know Tebow can throw the ball – of that I have no doubt. I am amazed at the heart and character of this kid. His desire and drive to win are off the chart. He’s 100% coachable and wants to be the best he can be. I am not a religous man it’s fine that he is. I have no issue with that. If you don’t want to her him say it then don’t watch the interviews. If the media doesn’t want to hear it don’t interview the young man. Honestly for me, the last player I enjoyed this much on Sunday was Dan Marino. Tim Tebow brings an excitement on Sunday when the Broncos are ready to play. Open the offerse like they do in the fourth quarter and Tebow will be as good or better than Cam Newton.

10 Dec 2011 12:12 am (@nope)
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Kay

I have mixed feelings about Tebow’s public displays of his faith. Part of me thinks it smacks of the Pharisees who made sure everyone could see how pious and holy they were– that turns me off, and I think I’m not the only one. On the other hand, though, he seems very genuine in his beliefs and appears to actually be the person he presents himself to be. He’s modest and humble and always speaks first of the team and the collective effort – never himself. And I have to respect that. It would be nice to see more of that kind of attitude in pro sports these days.

Well– there’s always hockey. They’re pretty much all like that.

10 Dec 2011 08:12 pm (@Twitter)
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- Tyson Wyman
  
  the pharisees worshiped for the public eye only and were ignorant to the fact that their lives didnt reflect christianity. Tebow beleives and practices to the core in every way NOT LIKE the pharisees. Mr. Benek responded much more poineintly than I regaurding a similar but far more impolite comment.
  
  12 Dec 2011 08:12 pm (@Twitter)
Mark

As an Eagles fan, I agree with you. And to the people who aim to bash Tebow because of his public displays of prayer, and to those “wanting him to play football” I say this: hid play on and off the field, his work ethic and his motivation to succeed has affected the entire Broncos team. The defense is playing very good football, The charismatic Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins are back to their old selves, and Tebow IS playing good football. If you watch a great quarterback, his feet are always moving in and out of the pocket. Tebow has been doing that. He’s been making good throws and decisions during the game. Whether you like it or not, the start of Tim Tebow has led to six straight wins. That implies an entire change in a team, based on the arrival of one player. We don’t know what happens in the locker room, but I guarantee you that Tim Tebow has a big part in it. Any quarterback does.

12 Dec 2011 08:12 am (@Twitter)
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Jason

If Tebow can give praise to Christ at every turn, can’t people of a differing belief also voice their opinion? ‘Tis the land of free speech.

12 Dec 2011 07:12 pm (@Twitter)
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- Mark
  
  Yes it is, but unfortunately Jason, to be a Christian who shows public displays of faith in today's society is something that is looked down at. To ridicule a man of faith has become the norm.
  
  14 Dec 2011 02:12 am (@Twitter)
Drew

Great article. I very much agree with many of your views and statements in this article. I understand how hard it can be for Tim to stay strong in his faith when being faced with so many that do not believe, or do not believe as strongly as you do. Being a D1 college athlete, and a strong and devout Christian I know what it is like to be around those types of people. To be strong in your faith and never falter in it is truly admirable. The temptations are constantly there when you have so many people together that have that much popularity and power in the community. Tim Tebow is a great role model for all people, especially athletes. Not to mention a great QB. End of story.

13 Dec 2011 12:12 am (@Twitter)
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Principles Of Attraction

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23 Dec 2011 12:12 pm (@Twitter)
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