Is Tim Tebow for real?

After I graduated from high school, the next stop on my education path was in Athens, Georgia. Despite my stay there being relatively short-lived, the red and black became a permanent love of mine. So, being a Bulldawg, it was not in vogue to be a Tim Tebow fan while he was a Florida Gator. But, I will confess, I was silently cheering for him (except during the GA/FL game.)

Why would I cheer for him? Because Tim Tebow is the real deal. He obviously is an extremely talented athlete. He is a fierce competitor. He loves playing football. But he has been attacked from almost all sides. I can't remember any other standout athlete that has been mocked and ridiculed like Tim Tebow. His critics (that may not even be a strong enough description) cheer any and all failures he experiences. They want him to fail...not just fail, fail miserably. Just what has Tim Tebow done to deserve the vitriol?

Tebow is a devout Christian. He makes no apologies for his faith or the way he lives his life. He wore bible verses on his eye black. He gave praise to God whenever he was interviewed. He bent down on one knee in prayer when he scored, presumably giving thanks to God. He confidently stated that he and his teammates would be the hardest working college football team. Braggart? I don't think so.

We have heard the story of his mother refusing the doctor's suggestion that she abort her high-risk pregnancy (when pregnant with Tim.) We watched the commercial during a recent Super Bowl that shared that story and celebrated life. Prior to the airing of the commercial, the pro-choice folks went nuts over the idea that the commercial would be allowed on TV. Once it finally did air, I never heard another word about it because who could criticize the message of the commercial?

When Tebow entered the draft many said that he was not NFL material... he couldn't learn to take snaps from under center, his throwing motion was a mess and he just didn't have the juice to be a pro quarterback. Will he be a successful pro quarterback? I don't know. But I hope so because the NFL needs people like Tim Tebow.

So why all the criticism; hatred even towards Tebow? I think it is because Tim Tebow makes us uncomfortable. He seems too good to be true...or maybe just "too good." He is too nice, too polite, too devout, too humble, too demonstrative in his faith, too squeaky clean and that makes us uncomfortable. What does that say about him? More importantly, what does that say about us?

I have no illusions about Tim Tebow being perfect. I am certain that he would tell you that he is far from perfect. He would say that he is a sinner, saved by the grace of a merciful God. Many people are just waiting for him to do something that defies his profession of his faith. They are just waiting for any misstep. Unfortunately, that day will probably come and they will shout "Aha...see there, Tim Tebow is just like the rest of us...he's not so perfect now is he?" And they will feel better about themselves.

I will continue to cheer and admire Tim Tebow. Not because he is a great athlete but rather because he is trying to live his life as a follower of Christ and use every opportunity to share with others not who he is, but whose he is. That makes him a winner in my book.

Read what Jill Kelly (wife of former Buffalo Bills QB Jim Kelly) has to say about Tim Tebow