Tim Tebow Gives Candid Response- Football Star Lives His Faith On Field And Off

NWA Online ^ | 10-16-09 | Terry Mattingl

[STARWISE]

After being knocked halfway to kingdom come, Tim Tebow knew that millions of college football fans would be paying close attention to his eyes the next time he led the Florida Gators into action.

Viewers would be looking for signs that the quarterback was OK after a nasty concussion. Many would also want to see which Bible reference would be written in the patches of eye black that would be visible whenever television cameras focused on the face of America's most famous muscular Christian.

Tebow was wearing Isaiah 40:31 when he got hurt against Kentucky: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

This biblical commentary continued when he returned against LSU, with a reference pointing to 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

The Palm Beach Post put it this way: "Give thanks in all circumstances."

Not exactly. *

You see, it's hard to avoid quoting the Bible when you're writing about an athlete who refuses to stop quoting the Bible.

Viewers who used an Internet search engine could find the full scriptural reference. Those who relied on news reports, however, tended to find language scrubbed clean of the fervent, conservative and, for many, offensive faith that shapes the lives of Tebow and his missionary parents and siblings.

Bob and Pam Tebow already consider his life a gift from God. During that pregnancy, his mother slipped into a coma after contracting amoebic dysentery. Doctors in the Philippines, where the Tebows are evangelical missionaries, feared that the strong medications she received had damaged her unborn child. Doctors advised an abortion.

She refused, the family prayed and Tim Tebow survived.

Thus, Bob Tebow told Sports Illustrated, "I asked God for a preacher, and he gave me a quarterback."

The son has done his share of preaching and missionary work, both overseas and in U.S. prisons. Meanwhile, he has refused to retreat during the many media marathons he endures as a superstar. This is, after all, the guy who seized the podium when he won the Heisman Trophy and, after taking some nervous gulps, immediately gave thanks to "my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave me the ability to play football." In his rush, he said almost exactly the same thing moments later. The news reports that followed steered clear of these references.

While Tebow has been outspoken about his beliefs, he has avoided making openly evangelistic remarks while in the hot spotlight at a secular university in a highly diverse state. The closest he has come to giving an altar call was when he put John 3:16 under his eyes during the 2009 BCS championship game.

For those who have never seen Billy Graham in action, that verse proclaims: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

But that was a mere tremor compared with the quake that followed Tebow's candid response when asked during a press conference: "Are you saving yourself for marriage?"

Laughing, he said, "Yes, I am."

While another reporter struggled to ask a question, Tebow continued. "I think ya'll are stunned right now. Ya'll can't even ask a question. Look at this. The first time ever. Wow. I was ready for the question. I don't think ya'll were, though."

Thus, a simple Google search for "Tebow, virgin" yields 70,000-plus hits. Journalists and commentators can't seem to decide if they were more offended by the question or by Tebow's unapologetic answer. Was this a victory for the religious right or for crass, "gotcha" journalism?

The columnist who pushed that button has refused to apologize, noting that Tebow considered it a logical question in light of his highly public faith.

"Tebow demonstrated that he lives his life according to his own religious principles," noted Clay Travis of the Fanhouse.com Web site.

"I asked because I believe it's newsworthy and because, believe it or not, I thought Tim Tebow would answer the question by saying: 'Yes, I am.' ... Why did I believe this? Because Tebow lives his faith. And I believe that living his faith is not artificial, he's not pretending to be something he's not."

[STARWISE]

Fantastic family who raised awesome young man .. and great quarterback. What an awesome game and ending today! Woo Hoo!

[Montanabound]

The gators got by with a little help from the refs.

[STARWISE]

Oooh ... missed that.

Tebow moving them down the field in time,
and the 3 pointer wasn’t too shabby.

[Paige]

I respect this young man beyond words. His Faith is an inspiration to all. God Bless Tim and his family

[Mojave]

Look for the atheists and the leftists to file suit in federal district court demanding that Tebow remove “John 3:16” before taking to the field.

[BGHater]

Indeed. I’m a Gator fan, and the Hogs were robbed on many calls. Game deciding calls.

[OrangeDaisy]

The question was asked during SEC Media Days by blogger and author Clay Travis. If it has been asked since, I am not aware of it.

http://claytravis.net/mailbag/labels/tim tebow clay travis virgin opinion pieces claynation.html

[pvoce]

You can put both Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy into that category too.

[LiberConservative]

As an Ohio State fan I hate the ‘Gators. I even refuse to drink Gatoraid. But I love Tim Tebo. He is a 1st class act.

[Reagan's My Hero]

I have a ton of respect for Tim Tebow. He’s a fine young man. I really didn’t care who won the game today, not being a fan of either team, but it appeared to me that Florida was given a gift-wrapped win by the refs....there were more bogus calls (all against Arkansas) than I ever remember seeing in a college game. It was pathetic.

[STARWISE]

The author doesn’t name another event, just
that the question was asked .. probably the
same time as your reference.

~~~~~~~~~

“But that was a mere tremor compared with the quake that followed Tebow’s candid response when asked during a press conference: “Are you saving yourself for marriage?”

[STARWISE]

I agree .. these young men are gems in
a culture of crudity, faithlessness and
arrogance, egotism and greed.

Bradford’s also awesome .. don’t know
much about McCoy. It’s so hopeful and
inspiring to see these wonderful young
men who are built of sturdy stuff and
rock solid faith.

[trimom]

I didn’t catch his scripture reference today. Can someone bring me up to speed?

[Soul Seeker]

Hm. Maybe I read the wrong article. I thought this was a thread about Tebow’s faith and how it’s reported?

[Friendofgeorge]

What a great witness he is!!! How bout this question? What do you think of the President?

[STARWISE]

Here ya go:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, October 16, 2009
Time to Separate Church and Sports? A New Agenda Takes Shape

http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/mohler/11609970/

Excerpt:

Sam Cook has had enough. A sports columnist for the Fort Myers [FL] News-Press, Cook recently referred to quarterback Tim Tebow of the University of Florida Gators and told his readers: “I don’t know how many more ‘God bless’ comments I can stand from the 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback.” Tebow, Cook argued, should play football and forget about his religious beliefs while he is wearing the Gator uniform.

“Somehow, we’ll survive without him displaying a ‘John 3:16’ Bible verse under his eyes,” Cook wrote. “We separate church and state. Why not church and sports?”

Sam Cook’s column was prompted by a far more prominent essay published in Monday’s edition of USA Today. In “And I’d Like to Thank God Almighty,” Tom Krattenmaker leveled a comprehensive critique of the evangelical Christian message that, as he laments, permeates so much of the sporting world at both the college and professional levels.

[Hot Tabasco]

Got my hair cut a week ago and while waiting I picked up a copy of SI. In the comments section they were all directed at Tebow and I was truly surprised at the number of negative comments regarding him and his Christian beliefs and comments.........

[STARWISE]

Not finding any mention of it.

[Guenevere]

bttt...wonderful read

[SharpRightTurn]

“Bradford’s also awesome .. don’t know
much about McCoy”

Colt McCoy has a deep Christian faith. He’s been on mission trips, speaks to Christian youth groups, and says he makes every effort to be in church on Sun. morning no matter how late the team gets home. He lives his faith.