It was on Saturday, January 14th, 2012 that Goliath prevailed.
The Patriots ended up routing the Broncos 45-10, setting multiple playoff records in the process. The game averaged 34.2 million viewers, making it the most watched Saturday late divisional round playoff game of all-time. Tebow-mania will likely subside a bit, and questions will remain as to whether or not the Christian Crusader can lead the Broncos to an NFL Championship.
One thing is for certain: Tebow has changed the NFL and raised the bar for athletes as role models.
Dubbed “God’s Quarterback,” Tim Tebow has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of Americans this NFL season. He was recently voted America’s favorite athlete in an ESPN poll, a rarity for an athlete so early into his professional career. Tebow’s signature move, “Tebowing,” has spread from the football field to virtually every place around the world (nicely cataloged at Tebowing.com). Tebow’s kneeling in prayer and outspoken Christianity has sparked lively debate about religion’s place in sports.
Around 700 B.C. in Olympia, Greece, competitive athletics was way to honor the gods. It was also a way for mere men to become God-like. In America, most likely due to separation of church and state, religion has faded from the realm of sports. It sometimes emerges in the form of athletes excitedly thanking God in interviews after games. Tebow, however, is injecting faith into football in new ways, leading some fans to believe that God is actually helping him win.
Additionally, Tebow has become a God-like figure in American culture. He is a 6’ 3” 245 lbs. 24 year old guy who models Jockey underwear. However, Tebow is not a typical pro athlete living lavishly, going to night clubs and dating beautiful celebrities. Tebow doesn’t have a girlfriend because he says he is too busy with football and life. He doesn’t drink alcohol because he doesn’t want young kids emulating that kind of behavior. Instead, he very publicly centers his life around the three F’s: faith, family and friends.
Before games, Tebow does something special for those who have physical disabilities or illnesses; usually it involves bringing them onto the field, giving them a hug and a signed ball. After losses, Tebow graciously gives credit to the other teams; is able to see the bigger picture; and vows to improve himself and his team. Tebow has become the epitome of a role model, a breath of fresh air from the likes of other pampered pro athletes who get caught with guns, women who are not their wives, drugs or…dogs.
Although the number of Tebow fans has exploded, there are still plenty of Tebow hater and doubters. Entering the NFL draft, Tebow was ridiculed by sports analysts and scouts as unable to play quarterback in the NFL. Tebow was originally classified as a limited quarterback who had an unorthodox left-handed release. Experts said he held on to the ball too long, wasn’t accurate and that the Broncos would be jeopardizing their future by building their team around him.
What those analysts and scouts failed to calculate in Tebow was his immaculate character, pride, heart and self-motivation. All too often athletes are evaluated on their physical attributes and their personal accolades alone instead of the intangibles that make up a true winner on the sports field.
Mackenzie Simpson is a third-year law student at the University of Maine School of Law. Simpson can be reached at [email protected]