Monday, November 28, 2011

Thoughts on "Tebow Mania"

Let me be clear, this is not a bashing Tim Tebow post. It is my personal thoughts as a football fan regarding him as an NFL quarterback and his dominating affect on sports media.




"Tebow Mania" is on an all-time high this second half of the season. Since becoming the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in game 6, there is not a day that sports media does not discuss Tim Tebow. America's football sweetheart has managed to lead his team to a 6-5 record after a 1-4 start of the season. Many fans, analysts, and reporters question how he continues to win. After each win, sports media outlets erupt and give all praises to Tebow for his 4th quarter comebacks. Whether or not you praise the Broncos solid defense for setting up Tebow's winning drives each game or complain that he is a suspect quarterback throwing under 20 passes a game, the Broncos are 6-5 and in the hunt for an AFC playoff spot.

In my opinion, those who know and study the game of football are aware Tebow is not an elite quarteback. Sure he is winning right now, but if the Broncos continue to run this offense, teams are going to find a way to beat them, especially next season. The type of "spread option" offense that many college teams use, which is what Tebow used when he played for the Florida Gators, is not going to work longterm  in the NFL. The NFL has transitioned to a "pass first" offense, the Broncos option offense can only carry them so far. Once defenses stop Denver's running game, Tebow is going to be forced to throw the ball which is a skill he has yet to perfect. Teams with explosive offenses that score a lot of points (Patriots, Packers, Saints) will beat Denver. One positive is that their defense has found a way to keep the scores low. Tebow running all over the field is a gift and a curse. QBs are not supposed to take a lot of hits. He will not survive being a bad passer and taking many hits as a running QB. Michael Vick is a great example of this. Think back, Mike Vick received his share of criticism for taking off running with the ball instead of dropping back and passing. Eventually, as Mike Vick did, Tebow will have to pass the ball more and accurately. Broncos may make the playoffs because of their division, which is one of the worst in the league, but they will not make it far.

Check out this Video------ Doing the "Tebow"  (leads into the next part of the post)


I am not a Tebow hater, I actually think he is a swell person and a great inspiration for young athletes. One frustration that I do have is the media creating the idea of "Tebow Mania." I am not a marketing strategist, but I am starting to believe that Tebow openly expressing his Christianity and his love for Jesus Christ is being used as a way to build his brand. As a Christian, I appreciate Tebow letting the world know how great Jesus Christ is to him. I don't like the "down on one knee," which many assume to be an act of prayer, is now being labeled as "Tebowing." I've been a football fan for many years and I cannot recall the media ever bringing this much focus on athletes expressing their show of religion. Is there a reason why Tebow has become "the" Christian athlete? For example, I don't recall the media recognizing any other player who points to the sky (one can assume is giving thanks to their God) or when a player gets down on one knee to pray after scoring a touchdown. Athletes have been praying in sports for decades and I do not support the media calling this a "new phenomenon." I support players giving credit and praise to whom they choose to believe in. I have a problem when the "objective" media gets involved. Lately, it has seemed as if the media is creating this inspirational image of Tim Tebow, as the originator of athlete's praying.  There are pictures and videos all over the Internet of people down on one knee doing the "Tebow." If it wasn't for the media bringing attention to his faith, Tebow would be just another Christian athlete on the field. C'mon media, let's focus on his skills as a quarterback. Tebow was not the originator of an athlete's open expression of their faith.

2 comments:

  1. I wonder if he will get hurt. He is like a tougher Ben R. IMO. He is huge and would be a big tight end in most systems.
    I know its only a matter of time before he gets shut down by a defense but maybe he will be a little more accurate by then.
    He is, after all, in his first season and we all know how ugly those can be before you find your groove.
    I think he has lacks the skill set to be an efficient passer but what he lacks he makes up with hard work and leadership skills... He motivates like few before him.. That is why he wins IMO
    I will agree that he needs to polish his skills but if he gets those under his belt he may be prolific in nature.

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  2. Your point about "Tebowing" is well noted and one that I did not previously consider. But I will say that it is very rare to find an athlete outspoken about anything. Outspoken "greats" are even rarer to find. Just think about it. Maybe you don't remember, but Michael Jordan in his heyday, NEVER had an opinion or any well noted values. He just spoke in cliches of "being aggressive and executing the plays". Tiger Woods is another example. Sure it has been a rough year or two year for him, but you never heard anything regarding his political affiliation or his "faith" until he was "forced" to give that farce of an apology and his career was plummeting. On a spiritual note, I can appreciate Tim Tebow being outspoken about his beliefs, but with the media attention that he is receiving you better believe that he is either A) Being put up to this to create a false god/idol/fandom/craze (I sure hope not) and/or B) A huge target for the enemy to attack with thousands of distractions around (contracts, fame, women, etc.) and/or C) being exalted for a short time so that the enemy can watch a Christian QB with suspect mechanics fail in the NFL to mock the Christian faith. (Note, many NFL fans wish for his demise for this among other reasons.) From a professional standpoint though you are correct in that the commentators should- and usually do-keep it about football when evaluating his play.

    I just think that as Christians we must pray for him whether we are a fan of the Broncos or not (this is in the Bible). But know there is a very unique thing going on in the spiritual realm regarding this man's success or failure as an NFL quarterback.

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