“Anybody can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody’s power, that is not easy.” — Aristotle
Last night, in the Saint Louis Rams-Seattle Seahawks football game, a Seattle defensive player was penalized for unsportsman conduct when he taunted a Rams player in the end zone after making a good defensive play on a potential touchdown pass. The penalty gave the ball to the Rams with a first and goal on the one-yard line.
This is not an uncommon occurrence professional sports now days. In fact it is all too common. Taunting, helmet-to-helmet hits, stepping on other players, and obscene demonstrations are all too prevalent in professional football today. This is the tone of the game. It’s what the fans and sportscasters expect, and in some cases applaud.
There is a growing phenomenon in the NFL and it’s called Tim Tebow, the quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Some people go so far to call his achievements miraculous.
The word "miracle" has been bandied about lately — particularly when describing Tim Tebow's amazing come-from-behind victories as a Denver Broncos quarterback. Theologians are less apt than sportscasters to ascribe that definition to a football game. Their analysis is far more stringent; however, the more important question is not if an event is a miracle, but rather why is it occurring.
The Merriam-Webster definition of a miracle is "an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs." While atheists pooh-pooh that suggestion because they believe that God does not exist, believers say that miracles happen constantly as God works in the world. If the question is why a miracle, then the simple answer is because we need one now.
Look at the sordid reports on the pedophile coaches at Penn State and Syracuse. Sex abuses on the young and innocent went on for years, in most cases ignored by those who could have put an end to it. hen it comes to American athletes, their sins are largely tolerated and even glorified in our sick and hedonistic culture.
For the past year, Tebow has been vilified for his displays of faith on the
If that ad wasn't enough to rile the secularists, Tebow's interviews compounded their disdain. He admitted that he is a virgin. Wow, that's almost unheard of when a man is as good-looking as the 24-year-old, 6'3", blue-eyed Tebow. Not only that, but he never fails to thank his Lord Jesus Christ and his teammates after every game.
In a recent Townhall column, pundit Doug Giles said it best:
“Let me see if I get this straight: A sex worshipping, multi-tattooed thug with three illegit kids from three different women scores a touchdown and then proceeds to simulate a sex act in the end zone -- in front of our children and the millions watching by television -- and that's okay? Why sure it is. Who are we to judge? Matter of fact, let's give that future inmate a Nike ad and bump his contract up a few mil because he brings spice (and crabs) to the game. Ah ... sweet progress.”
The oddity of Tim Tebow is that he's not a new phenomenon, but rather a throwback to the clean-cut athletes of an earlier time, when athleticism demanded good sportsmanship and humility. They were good role models for the young. After last week's miraculous win in the last two minutes from a 0-10 deficit, Tebow wrote on his website, "Praise the Lord! Couldn't be any prouder of my teammates for believing in each other 'till the very end." Don't expect Tim Tebow to be spiking the ball or dancing in the end zone any time soon.
Players from other teams have mocked his one-knee genuflection after a touchdown and his prayer circle with team members. Now, however, rival teammates are joining the circle in thanksgiving for a game well played. Let's face it: spoiled thugs have inundated the NBA and NFL, and perhaps it will take a miracle to bring some respect back to the games.
Players from other teams have mocked his one-knee genuflection after a touchdown and his prayer circle with team members. Now, however, rival teammates are joining the circle in thanksgiving for a game well played. Let's face it: spoiled thugs have inundated the NBA and NFL, and perhaps it will take a miracle to bring some respect back to the games.
America is watching Tim Tebow and wondering what's happening. Every Bronco win is being splashed on the Drudge Report as a near-supernatural result. Sportscasters who've derided his abilities are starting to revise their opinions, albeit reluctantly. We're intrigued, and even those, like me, a rabid Saint Louis Rams fan is rooting for the Broncos. Fans are in awe and tuning in each week in anticipation of another inexplicable win. Some, of course, are feverishly wishing for an end to Tebow's string of "miraculous" victories. To them, Tebow is dangerous because he represents the power of faith and good, clean living.
Of course Tim Tebow is not the only NFL player to show his religious beliefs. There are many other players with a deep belief in God and who conduct themselves in a manner similar to Tebow. Tebow, however, has skyrocketed to fame because of his influence on the outcome of a game as a quarterback and the current winning streak of the Broncos with him at the helm.
The secular media is now reporting on Tebow as he becomes a story almost as large as the Green Bay Packers unbeaten streak. Many of those in the main stream media though are reporting the Tebow story with their anti-Christian bias. In a recent ABC news report by Diane Sawyer you could hear the mockery in her voice and the follow on piece by her colleague, Dan Harris, began by stating Tebow as a mediocre quarterback. How dare he begin his report with such words? I would bet my home and car that if Tebow were Black no such claim would be made.
I've always believed that life is about our individual relationship with our higher power, and we should include Him in all aspects of our lives. Tim Tebow is doing just that.
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