Not a Fan Not a Follower

The NFL played the first round of play off games this past weekend. A couple of games ended as predicted, but the other two were surprises. I can’t say that I was disappointed in either case. But like most folks, I have an opinion on the Tim Tebow phenomenon.

First, I admit that I’ve never been a Tebow fan. Much of that stems from the fact that the player and his Florida Gators beat my UT teams each year of his eligibility. We who bleed orange have suffered mightily at the hands of this quarterback and his talents as a college player. My negativity is the same reaction that many people throughout the country have in regard to Peyton Manning, the brightest star that’s shined on “the hill” in years.

Now that Tebow is in the NFL, his skills have proven to be less than stellar. Those who analyze talent state that he’s not one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Pundits criticize his passing form, and others say he’s more suited to play the game as a fullback or tight end. Such comments look down right ridiculous when games are completed with Tebow leading his team to a win, most often with game-ending drives.

My beef with this Denver hero has nothing to do with his skills as a quarterback, although I don’t think he’s that gifted. What irks me is the brouhaha over his “religion.” Tim Tebow has never hidden his religious feelings. In fact, he’s worn them on his sleeve at times. Still, that’s his business.

What brings my blood to an almost boiling point is the public display. Eye black with bible verses inked on it is one. Pointing toward the heavens is another. The third is kneeling in the end zone and offering prayer. Are any of these things bad? The answer is no. However, I question whether or not they are appropriate, and he should know the answer. In Matthew 6: 1-6 Jesus instructs his disciples not to pray in public where everyone can see them. Instead, he tells them to go to their closets and pray secretly to God. So, a silent prayer or “thank you” is all that’s needed. Anything more is done to call attention to the individual and his “supposed” goodness.

Then there’s all the talk about God throwing the touchdown passes for Tebow or God willing the quarterback’s winning and favoring the Denver Broncos. Former quarterback Fran Tarkenton, whose dad was a Pentacostal minister, said he prayed before games, but he doesn’t know if God cares about football games and their outcomes. If the good lord did, would he intervene to allow one team to win at the other’s expense? If so, is God a Bronco fan? If so, does that make the Denver team “God’s team?”

I applaud Tim Tebow and his faith. I take exception to his public displays that call attention to himself. I’d much prefer that he talk about the relationship in the pulpit of a church, not at a nationally televised football game. Doing so cheapens religion in that it commercializes it. God is more interested in individuals who focus on living a life of service and devotions. He’s not much interested in show-offs. Ease up, Tim!

To put it another way, God probably isn’t an ardent fan of football and probably doesn’t follow any team. He is more interested in more important things that go on in this world of His.