The former Broncos and Jets signal caller is still waiting for the phone to ring. The Florida Gators legend is doing a sensational job hosting on the SEC Network, but it’s no secret that the southpaw wants to be playing the game he loves, not talking about it. Sadly, after being mishandled grossly in New York, Tebow has not had another regular-season opportunity with an NFL club.
Arguably one of the greatest college players ever, Tebow also owns a winning record as an NFL starter. His dramatic comeback wins include a playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers when he was with the Broncos. All of that is irrelevant in today’s NFL, though. Tebow is blackballed because of his love of Jesus Christ, as Michael Silver reported. Criminals get multiple chances to return. Women beaters, child abusers, perverts, drunk drivers, and even a ruthless dog killer currently don NFL jerseys each Sunday. Even someone convicted of manslaughter got to come back. While that seems to be OK with the NFL, Tebow is seen as a distraction.
The all-out blitz against Tebow and his character has been hard to watch. Players and media alike have been relentless. They’ve bashed Tebow for being a Christian. That’s about as sick as the behavior of those players making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
While we’ve heard cockamamie defenses of Adrian Peterson’s “discipline” of his children and theories that Ray Rice’s wife “provoked” the running back, Tebow was ripped for simply loving the Lord.
ESPN’s Merril Hoge, a habitual Tebow basher, called Tebow “phony as a three-dollar bill.” That’s only one example on a laundry list of jealous, visceral remarks from the washed-up, boring broadcaster Hoge.
Writers have pleaded with Tebow to dial back his love for his Savior. Columnist Joel Mathis wrote, “most of us have learned to live with boundaries – to avoid thrusting our religion into arenas where it is unexpected or unwelcome. If you make a big sale at work, for example, you’re unlikely to bend on knee in front of co-workers and customers to start giving thanks to God.” Wouldn’t that be awful.
Far-left former NFL underachiever Jake Plummer had even harsher criticism of Tebow. “I wish he’d just shut up after a game and go hug his teammates,” said the former quarterback.
Jealous much?
An even less accomplished quarterback than Plummer also piled on. Brady Quinn was a teammate of Tebow’s in Denver and didn’t like being behind Tebow on the depth chart. So like Plummer, he took his shots. In a GQ magazine interview, Quinn contended Tebow was awarded playing time for non-football reasons. “I felt like the fans had a lot to do with that,” said Quinn. “Just ’cause they were chanting his name. There was a big calling for him. No, I didn’t have any billboards. That would have been nice.”
Quinn belittled Tebow’s string of last-minute comebacks that propelled the Broncos into the playoffs, chalking them up to luck. He even went as far as to question Tebow’s character. “If you look at it as a whole, there’s a lot of things that just don’t seem very humble to me,” Quinn said. “When I get that opportunity, I’ll continue to lead not necessarily by trying to get in front of the camera and praying but by praying with my teammates, you know?”
No, we don’t know.
Sounds like sour grapes from a guy who got passed over for playing time. To question Tebow’s motives when it comes to his faith is simply off base. Even those who don’t like Tebow as a signal caller can’t question his selflessness. If they do, their credibility is gone.
When he’s not covering college ball, Tebow continues to quietly lift the spirits of those who need it most. Through his incredible foundation, Tebow meets with sick children each and every week. Often no one hears about it. He does it because it’s the right thing to do. The NFL employs men who beat their own toddlers to a pulp. In the meantime,Tebow is going out of his way to bring some joy to children he’s never met before.
While the Plummers and Quinns of the world certainly come across as envious whiners, at least they put their names to their comments. Multiple players with the Jets and Broncos took shots at Tebow anonymously. That’s pure cowardice. One unnamed Jets said Tebow was “terrible.” Tebow’s response? Nothing but good will and prayers. Tebow keeps smiling. He’s living not for the NFL or praise from players and reporters. He’s living for God.
While still with the Eagles, DeSean Jackson told TMZ that he would pick his two-year-old son over Tebow. Why even make a comment like this? It’s hateful. Even if you don’t appreciate Tebow’s quarterbacking, are these barbs necessary? Tebow would never act so low. As far as Jackson’s two-year old… whether he picks him over Tebow or not, one thing’s for sure. He could leave his son with Tebow without worry. The same can’t be said about some others. Tebow visits young children in hospitals. Some current NFLers put them there.
The lamestream media and certain players have had a weird obsession with Tebow. While with the Jets Tebow played less than ten plays per game, yet he was slammed on shows like “Good Morning America” for his lack of production. Talking head Josh Elliott, who is now at NBC, used mocking religious imagery and snarkily told viewers that Tebow was “once hailed as a savior” before his “fall from grace.” Tebow has never been hailed as a savior. Tebow worships the Savior. He was misused by Rex Ryan and company. He never fell from anything. His purpose and passion is as strong as ever.
And while guys like Terrell Suggs make wisecracks saying Tebow needed “God to bail him out,” Tebow takes the high road. God has bailed him out. Tebow is on the road to salvation. He’d also be on the road to the NFL if a team would only see what’s right in front of them.
Tim Tebow is a gamer. He’s a winner. He brings passion and toughness to an offense. His running game is formidable in a league that is adopting more read-option schemes. And though certain players are judged on wins and losses but with Tebow it’s “mechanics” or “arm angle” even if his way works. Perhaps it’s his Christianity they’re really against.
Not every football man is anti-Tebow. Some are silent on the issue of his chances for an NFL comeback. That may be even more off putting than those who wrongly assess Tebow’s talent.
Few in the game have been outspoken supporters of Tebow. Those who have, however, have something in common. They are proven winners. Urban Meyer, Mike Ditka, and Jon Gruden have all expressed support for Tebow. All three are mystified as to why he isn’t in the league. All three have won championships. These winners know another winner when they see one. Tebow is blackballed.
Perhaps others should take a cue from Meyer, Ditka, and Gruden. It’s bad enough to have secular non-believers go after Tebow but when men of faith don’t defend him it’s inexcusable. Kurt Warner, a Christian, once told the Washington Post that Tebow should “put down the boldness in regards to the words and keep living the way you’re living.”
Really, Kurt? Mark 16:15 tells us “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'” I would assume those creatures would include Rams, Cardinals, Broncos and the like.
Even Chris Kluwe knows something is off about Tebow not being on a roster. The left-wing former Vikings punter and gay rights activist hits it on the head. Speaking on the Olbermann show, Kluwe said, “as much as we are polar opposites on the things we stand for, Tebow is the exact same way. There are backup quarterbacks in the NFL right now that Tebow is certainly better than–he could fill a role with a team. But because he brings this other stuff with him, just like I bring my other stuff with me, teams look at it like, ‘We don’t want it. We don’t want players speaking out. We don’t want players doing anything other than football.'”
Right now the NFL has players doing other stuff. They’re beating kids and women. But Tebow was a distraction? All that praying was too hard to deal with but those preying on the weak are worthy rehabilitation projects in the view of the NFL.
Just look at Tebow’s former division. Chase Daniel, Aaron Murray, Brock Osweiler, Matt McGloin, and Kellen Clemens are all quarterbacks on active rosters. Tebow is better than all of these reserves. Heck, he’s better than some NFL starters. But of the dozens of quarterbacks in the NFL you don’t need a long list to prove Tebow should be there. You just need one name: Charlie Whitehurst. Case closed.
Tim Tebow ‘s time in the NFL was short. Many remember it not for the thrills he provided on the field but for those who didn’t like his joyful expression of love toward Christ. That’s unfortunate. Tebow is a good man who played hard each and every snap. He is intelligent and skilled. He should be on a roster now.
So while Roger Goodell and the NFL must now deal with the disturbing accusations against Adrian Peterson, Jonathan Dwyer and others and the fallout from Ray Rice’s haymaker to his then-fiancee’s skull, we can remember a time not too long ago when the big “distraction” was a hard-working winner named Tebow, who just happens to love Jesus Christ. Tebow could take a page from those George W. Bush bumper stickers and billboards. He should ask the NFL, “Miss me yet?” They certainly should.
Follow Kevin Scholla on Twitter @KevinScholla.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.