College Sports

I admit it… I am feeling a little odd writing this article today. The chosen subject is Tim Tebow, a man who has methodically ripped the defense of my beloved alma mater to shreds on two separate occasions. It would be so much easier to dismiss his Heisman Trophy as a sophomore and National Championship as a freshman as just part of the juggernaut that is Florida football and move on.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. They adore him at Florida. Of course they do. He has done it all, and handled it all with class. The Gators are the team the rest of the SEC loves to hate.

But I’ve heard rumors over the past two years… rumors that there is more to Tebow than a jump pass, rocket arm, and daredevil spirit that will take him out of the safety of the pocket to take on defensive linemen that dwarf him in size. Rumors he has a heart for more than football.

And then, there it was. A story today on ESPN.com about Tebow and how he is using his fame in the state of Florida. The kid could probably run for governor and win, date any coed he wants, and phone in his classes. But instead he is spending his summer in prison.

Actually, in several prisons. You see, Tebow is a Christian. Not just a resume’ Christian, one who thanks God at trophy presentations, but one who dares to take his faith to places that may not be welcoming to his message, no matter how many touchdown passes he has thrown. So he has been visiting several prisons in Florida, bringing his message to drug dealers, rapists, and murderers. Some have been receptive, some have not. But that doesn’t deter Tebow.

He lets them all know that “it’s not how you start, fellas, it’s how you finish.”

Tebow speaks about God’s truths, and about what really matters. Not TD’s, not awards, not championship rings, but the hearts and souls of men. He shares his faith freely and comfortably.

He comes by all of this naturally. His father, Bob Tebow, started a Christian organization at Florida while in college, and went on to found the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association. Bob and his wife, Pam, used the organization to found an orphanage in the Philippines. The family (Bob, Pam and their five children) lived in the Philippines, and the Tebow kids were all home-schooled.

In fact, during his spring break in March, while his fellow Gators were hanging out on beaches, Tim travelled to the Filipino orphanage to speak to the children about his faith. He even helped out on the medical teams.

So what does all of this have to do with sports?

Well, beside the obvious fact that Tim Tebow is a college athlete, he is one of the good ones. In the past few weeks we have been reading about athletes who are being kicked off teams for drug test violations, arrests, and bad grades. Defending national champion LSU just booted starting QB Ryan Perrilloux from the team. Tennessee kicked two players from their men’s hoops team.

And then there is Tim Tebow. Doing it the right way. Away from the lights. On his own terms. And staying true to who he is, and what his beliefs are.

It’s enough to make a Gator Hater cry.

Heisman Provides Tebow Broader Audience for Message of Faith