New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow has been fueling one of the strangest and intriguing sports stories in recent memory, and it’s understandable why so many sports fans get aggravated with his prominence.
It’s really unusual. Think about his path to where he is now. He gave one of the most memorable speeches in college football history—so memorable that the University of Florida put a plaque with the transcription on campus. He won “two” national championships, broke countless records in college football’s conference of all conferences, the SEC, all while being considered one of the most un-athletic NFL prospects to see so much hype.
He wins games. But, he can’t throw. Nobody believes he’s a good quarterback, but he might just be in the position that he’s in because he’s a “good guy.”
His recent arrival in the cultural capital of the world, in the wake of a trade that saw Peyton Manning take his place in Denver, will only make him the subject of water cooler talk even more.
One of the things that bothers sports fanatics around the globe is the fact that Tebow’s apparent faith and personality, and the potential irony and conflict that comes with the success or failure in his sport, is what seemingly keeps the idol afloat.
People that tire of Tebow’s exposure often stoop to making jokes and offering blunt criticism. A lot of times, the jokes attack his religion—making his faith appear as over exaggerated. The most hardcore Tebow haters might even hypothesize that Tebow is simply putting on a show, and that he might not be genuine.
On the other hand, there also exists a train of thought that promotes the idea that Tebow’s glow, thanks to his faith and off-field habits, makes him a media darling in the face of hundreds of other athletes who don’t make the first five minutes of SportsCenter for being well behaved, of good faith, etc.
There’s a point to be made there. Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans might remember a guy named Warrick Dunn. Dunn, a tailback for the respective franchises from 1997 to 2008, wasn’t much of a media darling at all. He was quiet, but full of faith, and he prioritized his community just as much as his football career.
Dunn spends his Christmas’ helping purchase homes for struggling single mothers, but The media never followed him around.
So, criticism of Tebow’s constant attention can be justified. But, I’m here to tell you why I tolerate the annoying abundance of coverage Tebow gets.
I think it’s great for the image of sports. Why do athletes that usually get their names in headlines? Taking guns to bars, getting arrested for speeding at 104 mph and running from the cops in a white SUV, on national television and fighting dogs are just a few of the things that fuel fame in our society.
That’s what the typical media-friendly athlete does. Then you have Tebow, a guy who’s so consistent with his unique image that the media cannot fathom letting his name go by the wayside.
His persona is so endearing that he doesn’t even have to be the starting quarterback for an NFL franchise in New York.
Isn’t this what we’ve all clamored for at one point or another? Why can’t people make the news for doing the right thing?
You don’t have to look any further than across the Hudson River to see a parallel, either. The New York Knick’s Jeremy Lin has become a cultural phenomenon. He was never recruited out of high school, played point guard at Harvard, was undrafted and somehow managed to defeat the odds and dominate the sports world for a month (until Tebow got shipped to town).
Lin, like Tebow, has an “aw shucks” personality that has helped him transcend even more. He’s a confessed Christian, and even said he wanted to do things similar to what Tebow has done for charity.
For what seems to be the first time in years, sports’ two favorite subjects are revolving around two guys who are getting it right. They’re doing the right thing and seeing profound success, all while living the American dream.
These are the role models we want a spotlight on. It is a shame that so many great athletes go unnoticed for their positive behavior, but we cannot demonize the ones that do because of it.
We should only hope that more athletes like Tebow and Lin can garner the attention of our younger generations.
Tebow mania and Linsanity have caused a short-term habitual revolution within the media. You can’t hate Tebow for being in the spotlight.
Afterall, the cameras are following him around. He’s not ordering them to.
I was even one to make remarks about Tebow. I’ve grown up in red and black attire and barked at football games, so you can assume my disdain for him would be high. But, I cannot help but respect his place in our culture.
Even if he can’t throw, he’s still doing athlete right.
