"The intertwining of religion and sports is nothing new in American culture," points out Patton Dodd in the Wall Street Journal, but Tim Tebow is a different story.
"In the case of Mr. Tebow, what seems to fuel many of his fans -- and to drive many of his critics crazy -- is not so much his evangelical faith itself but the equanimity and generosity that his faith inspires in him." What's clear is that however improbable it is, Tebow is finding ways to win -- the Denver Broncos are 6-1 since Tebow took over as their quarterback. Now, networks are fighting over who gets to air the Broncos' games. Although it may feel like an old story by now, the debate rages on about the inexperienced, unconventional, and young star. The tide has apparently turned, though. Here's a roundup of the latest round of editorials about the much-maligned Tebow, and why it might be time to embrace him:
"And while he makes many mistakes, their cost is seldom exorbitant. These aren't so much skills as tendencies -- inclinations -- that prove to be every bit as consequential as the stuff of rankings and record books. He reminds us that strength comes in many forms and some people have what can be described only as a gift for winning, which isn't synonymous with any spreadsheet inventory of what it supposedly takes to win."
Kevin Paul Dupont, Boston Globe:
"Tim Tebow is not right or wrong to talk about his God, and because we are in America, we should be thankful that he has the protected right to do it, be it on game day or any other day. At the very least, we should be as tolerant and accepting of what he has to say as we seem to be about what everyone else is talking about these days."
"It's alright to love him and to hate him. We can thrill to his gridiron exploits and at the same time be annoyed by his over-the-top, incessant declarations of faith. In fact it might even be healthy for us, as a society, to embrace the contradictions. Maybe this country be better off if everyone, left or right, evangelical or atheist, pocket passer or option quarterback, occasionally found room in their hearts to cheer for those who are different. The world never makes complete sense, we're all scramblers in an endless busted play. Why not enjoy the mess?"
"I have been neither inspired nor irritated by anything I've heard Tebow say. Why anybody would allow blood pressure to rise over what an athlete or any entertainer says about religion, abortion or politics is incomprehensible. Yet the deep-seeded (sic) venom that spills from so many when discussing the quarterback is all over the place... There's a lot out there to be angry about. Tim Tebow's views on life shouldn't be on anybody's list."
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Kathryn Schifferdecker: Isaiah 40:21-31: On Faith and Football
Rabbi Joshua Hess: NFL Playoffs: Let the Showboating Begin!
Vivian Diller, Ph.D.: Viewing Ourselves Through Tim Tebow -- A Psychological Perspective
1. Fans still believe that you can still come from behind and win a game. In soccer, if you're down 4-0 the game is over.
2. There is the rally. In America’s "Big Three" (football, baseball and basketball) all share the rally when the face of a hopes situation, the team and fans seem to will victory from the jaws of defeat. The lack of the rally in soccer leads to frustration (fights in the stands, vicious confrontations) and because the fans can’t' seem to influence the outcome of the game.
3. Faith is strongly linked with football. What other sports has coined and uses the "Hail Mary" play?
Tim Tebow may never win a passing title or Super Bowl but he does represent what makes America different from other countries. America is one of the few countries in this world where if you work hard, don't give up and believe in yourself, good things usually happen.
I disrespect no one's sincere faith - just keep it out of my face - no matter WHAT you believe...