I love football - well, I love high school football and the NFL. I've never gotten caught by college aports for whatever reason. I probably could love that too. I know football, I can talk football, and I used to have a favorite team, but as free agency took over the NFL and no-one stayed put for long, I lost that feeling. In season, I could (and often do) watch football all day - no particularly interest in who wins or loses but I enjoy the excitement and athleticism.
I have been well aware of the "John 3:16" signs in the end zone seats forever, and have been hearing "I just thank God and my mama" from every interviewed player ever. I never heard of Tim Tebow until a couple months ago, so do not pretend to be exactly sure what the fuss is about him and why he is the focus of so much hysteria. Is he so different from all those other guys, praying and pointing to God, and thanking God in interviews throughout the decades? I don't know - whatever - but it seems ridiculous to me that anyone could believe that taking a knee after a touchdown and bowing one's head means a darn thing. Does he take a knee after a 3 yard run and thank God for those 3 yards? Or after a sack, does he take a knee and thank God it was only a 12 yard loss and not a 30 yard loss? I just don't get it.
I love college football. More than the NFL. I like Tim Tebow. I think he's a really good example of being just a good guy. The kneeling and all that? I think for whatever reason the media has chosen to focus on that more than other players who do the same thing. Who knows why? All I know is that now the Broncos are out the playoffs - go Niners!
ReplyDeleteWhew. I'm back, after two days of guy stuff with the football games. Thank you for expressing sentiments that I would have been petrified to say. I appreciate all efforts on the gridiron, but prefer that athletes stick to topics that pertain to sports. My Niners play AT HOME against New York, one week from today. Win or lose, it doesn't get any better.
ReplyDeleteGo NIners - I've just been recently caught up to speed on the Tebowing stuff -- I wouldn't presume to know if it is an act or the real deal - but I do think that conversations with God might best be private... but what do I know? I don't take those opportunities.
ReplyDeleteWhenever the subject comes up, my Wife always quotes Matthew 6:6 - "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
ReplyDeleteThere are sound football reasons why the Broncos won the games that they did. And the media loves a story, and Tebow is certainly different from your normal NFL quarterback in terms of a story. Some of it has to do with his background, some of it has to do with his race, and some of it has to do with his image: he's the new new thing.
I think the Niners fans above me would agree that Alex Smith is having a breakout season, throwing for almost twice as many yards as Tebow. But he's not a story.
I have not really followed the Tebow thing much--other than catching an occasional commentator mentioning him as I'm passing through the living room at work. I do think a lot of it is for show--which is not to say that he is not sincere in his belief, but that that belief and gratitude could easily be expressed in a non-ostentatious fashion. I think he chooses to express it the way he does for the media and crowd attention. Everyone who expresses a negative reaction to the kneeling, etc further fires up the support of his fans, giving him more positive buzz going into a game, which can only help from a playing standpoint as well as from a superstar/endorsement standpoint. The Lord works in mysterious ways, indeed. ;-)
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