The NFL Needs a Witness Too, Tim
I’m not sure which was bigger news, that Florida knocked off the Sooners for the “national championship” of college football (no real surprise there, “Go S.E.C.!”), or that Gator QB and saint-in-the-making Tim Tebow received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for a little too in-your-face “Gator Chomp” after plowing through Sooner safety Nic Harris.
Did you see the way he knocked Harris down? I’m sorry, but that’s just rude.
Tebow is something special, both as a player and a person of faith just trying to “give a witness.” No two ways about it. Yet, am I the only one that gets a little uneasy with the running hagiography?
For his own sake, I mean. We precariously set our heroes, whether they be sports figures or men of the cloth, high on the Pedestal of Perfect Expectations and then double-dog dare them to fall. And we all see how well that’s turned out.
It’s a lot of pressure for anyone, especially a young, 20-something man.
Yet, Tebow seems to thrive on it, and both he and UF have done much to play it up. It’s all part of the package. And it’s an impressive one, indeed.
I hope he keeps his head on straight and continues to amaze us for years to come.
Just a suggestion, Tim: The NFL needs a witness too (see Adam “Pacman” Jones).
13 Comments
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kristiS
I’m probably going to get run out of town for saying this, but I’m not as impressed with Tebow as the rest of the world seems to be. Of course, I’m willing to admit my status as and Arkansas and Sooner fan, but I haven’t liked Tebow for a long time. I guess this comes from seeing one too many obvious Christians, myself included in high school, turn out to be not nice people and it makes me skeptical.
Either way though, they outplayed OU last night. I don’t know where the number one offense in college football all time was, but they certainly weren’t in red jerseys yesterday.
Mike the Eyeguy
Okay, here’s another way of looking at this: The penalty (and all indications are he knew exactly what he was doing and what it would cost him) is an encouraging sign.
Why? It shows that he’s not above a little trashing (sign language counts too, Tim), especially when he’s been on the receiving end of it all night. There were a lot of “little extras” being dished out by the Sooners at the end of several plays last night. Plus, there was that little bulletin board clip courtesy of the Sooners, something to the effect that Tebow would only be the “fourth best” QB in the Big 12.
So, he maybe he’s eager to show the world that he’s not all goody-two-cleats. That sort of “pressure release” may serve him well in the long run.
But I know what you mean. We’ve all been burned so many times, it’s hard to believe in anything or anyone anymore.
Mike the Eyeguy
Oh, and Kristi, as you probably know since you’re a Hawg fan, the #1 college offense of all time ran into a typical, smashmouth S.E.C. defensive unit last night. End of story.
cg
I only saw a couple minutes of the game here and there, I had to work. I’m disappointed to say the least. I agree with kristiS, it sounds like OU’s offense never showed up although they did squander some scoring opportunities. Hats off to Coach Meyer, Tebow and gang.
JRB
I admire the line he trying to walk. I think that he realizes the stage and voice he’s received as a result of his football talent and is trying to make fruitful use of it. Scripture verses on the eye-black can either be showing off or seizing an chance to remind folks of the word, knowing that close-ups of his face are going to be on national TV for 4 hours. It’s a scary height with a long fall, but in my less cynical moments, I see a young Christian man recognizing an extraordinary opportunity to shout to the heavens for the glory of God before millions of impressed people.
JRB
By the way, the Chomp-Taunt was worthy of the flag, but it was completely in the righteous bounds, I say, or at least could have been a lot worse.
Mike the Eyeguy
I loved the cell phone taunt, too.
But why did John Parker draw a flag when he did it and not Tebow? NOT FAIR! NOT FAIR!
Mike the Eyeguy
Really, I think we may going overboard on the whole taunting issue. Sure, go after the bad stuff. But some of what I saw flagged this year was pretty lame.
It’s getting a little ridiculous when a guy can’t let loose with a little exuberance in the middle of a modern day joust.
Charlie
As your local Gator friend, needless to say, I was very pleased with the result of last night’s game. UF sucked it up and won the fourth quarter just like in the SEC championship game. The Oklahoma defense, particularly the secondary, was much better than I thought they would be. It was good to see an “SEC” defense prevail. Ahmad Black’s interception when he took the ball out of the OU receiver’s hands was the play of the game in my opinion.
As a Gator fan it is easy to like Tebow. He is genuine and a unique blend of morality and athleticism. I do get tired of the repeated promotions of his Christianity. However, Tim is not responsible for how many times a TV network chooses to play a clip from one of his speeches so he can’t be blamed for the overexposure. I hope he makes it in the NFL. It was interesting to see Belichick and Kraft in the stands last night. Maybe the Patriots are thinking about taking him earlier in the draft than the experts think.
Mike the Eyeguy
Hey Charlie, congrats, man! Chomp, Chomp!
Good point on the media over-exposure. I thought the announcers at points were spending way too much time on his off the field good works last night, and that’s hardly Tebow’s fault. Sometimes I’m not sure if they’re admiring him so much as conveying their skepticism and suspicions. Pat Forde, for instance, in the linked article referred to him as a “Bible Thumper”–usually not a complimentary term.
The whole thing of practicing your righteousness in front of the cameras is tricky business, but you and JRB are right–he seems to be sincere and seems to be trying to make the most of this moment. I’m rooting for him.
In the NFL, that is. I can’t wait to see how they make use of him there. I mean that literally–I can’t wait.
Charlie
I wouldn’t mind seeing Tebow, Harvin, and Spikes go pro next year. This season provided a perfect ending to their UF story. Would next year provide a better ending or an awkward epilogue? If UF won the BCS again next year, what would Meyer do? Off to the NFL? Dynasties are often not good for the sport, the team, or the fans. Would the Gator Nation become spoiled and angry with 10-3 seasons? I’d be fine with Bama and St. Nick wearing the SEC crown next year. However as I write this, I am wearing my orange and blue.
Mike the Eyeguy
“However as I write this, I am wearing my orange and blue.”
Yeah, you and the Gator fan in the orange and blue sweatshirt at the Starbucks on Governors this morning.
He’d already received and payed for his overpriced cup o’ Joe, but he lingered in the crowd, an ear-to-ear grin stretched across his face. We were all congratulating him, and he was eating it up.
Mike the Eyeguy
And yes, Harvin too! Begone, you jittery little waterbug!