Tim Tebow in Perspective (A slightly different take on Tebow-mania)

Imagine you are one of the most accomplished players in college football history.  You have a Heisman trophy and two national championships.  You were the first player to rush for 20 and pass for 20 touchdowns in a single season.  During your career you broke rushing records previously held by guys like Emmitt Smith and Hershel Walker.  You did all of this while playing QUARTERBACK in the toughest conference in America with coach’s game-planning to stop you week after week.  Simply put, you may just be the best college football player in the history of the sport.  Life is pretty dang sweet, right?  Now imagine being told repeatedly that you are not a first round pick.  Imagine that after one of the most celebrated quarterback careers in the history of college football that you may be asked to change positions in the NFL.  Imagine every part of your mechanics being constantly scrutinized as expert after expert predicts you won’t be a success.   

Tim Tebow isn’t the first player to be subjected to harsh criticism upon entering the NFL, but he is probably the best and definitely the most polarizing. Rarely (if ever) has any individual player in the history of sport enumerated more success while simultaneously coming under more scrutiny than Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos.  It seems that no amount of winning is enough to silence or even stifle critics of Tebow’s play.  It is a true oddity for the skill and abilities of such an accomplished and winning player to be continually questioned at such an elevated level.  We all know that his throwing motion is far from orthodox, and we all knew that he was a so called “system” QB coming out of college. However, last time I checked textbook mechanics pale in comparison to wins, and seriously, isn’t every quarterback a “system” quarterback?  That argument really needs a pillow no matter who you’re talking about.

We know he is unparalleled as a running quarterback, but the point of contention comes with his throwing right?  Conventional wisdom is he isn’t a good enough passer to have long term success in the NFL.  It is easy to see why many NFL insiders and former players have discontent for Tebow’s style of play.  He doesn’t fit the formula that everyone has always believed is necessary to win in the NFL of today.  Of course, the only thing that could get in the way of this is facts.  Tebow is the all time SEC leader in passing efficiency.  That’s right, he ranks above two Manning brothers, Matt Stafford, Tim Couch, JaMarcus Russell, etc.  He also had a passer rating 20 points higher than Peyton’s college mark.  No, I don’t think Tim Tebow is a better passer than Peyton Manning, but it’s hard to ignore those numbers. 

Tebow has been told at every level that he couldn’t play QB.  Yet, his determination has led him to be able to prove all of the “experts” wrong.  Currently, Tebow ranks among the top half of NFL QB’s in passer rating.  As a runner, his average yards per carry, 5.5, equal the best starting running back in the league.  Also, the real key to Tebow’s success, he does not turn the ball over!  He leads the NFL in best interception percentage.  Sure he throws less and runs more than conventional quarterbacks, but his Broncos have won 6 in row.  That is not luck.  Sure, the Broncos have been the beneficiaries of some good fortune, good calls, and timely plays, but honestly, what winning streak doesn’t involve those things?

What AB Sees:

Those who attribute Tebow’s success to simply luck or believe it to be a fluke are not seeing what is really there.  Tebow’s apparent knack for making clutch plays is not a mystery.  The guy has been succeeding and winning football games his whole life.  What sets Tebow apart are those intangibles that most people just do not have today.  He has always been outspoken and unapologetic about his faith in Christ Jesus.  Despite much ridicule, baiting, and joking, Tebow has always held to his faith with dignity and class.  Whether you are religious or not, you have to respect anyone who unashamedly stands up for what they believe in with such passion and vigor, even in the face of people constantly trying to tear him down.  His leadership qualities, determination, and confidence are, I believe, directly correlated to his faith.  He seems to be unafraid of failure; maybe because, unlike most prima donna athletes, he believes in something far greater than himself.  His teammates sense this about him, and easily gravitate toward his positive attitude.  He plays the game with integrity, sportsmanship, and humility.  As a friend of mine put it best earlier this week, “Tim Tebow is everything we say athletes aren’t anymore.”  I couldn’t agree more.  I am neither a Florida fan nor a Bronco fan, but how you could dislike Tim Tebow I’m just not sure.

I heard a guy on a sports talk show early this week who called in to say that no one (no preacher, book, family member, or friend) had done more to reaffirm his lost faith than Tim Tebow.  I don’t know Tim in any way, shape, form or fashion, but I have a suspicion that he would tell you that stories like that one are the real crowning achievements of his life.  Here’s to long career Mr. Tebow, God Bless!