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A fellow football fan sent me a cartoon the other day. It showed a downtrodden player speaking to the media: “First I’d like to blame the Lord for our defeat ...”
Isn’t it consistent, my friend teased, that if Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, a devout Christian, thanked the Lord for victories, players should also blame heaven for their losses?
I don’t think my provocative friend really expected an answer so I just responded with a sarcastic little smiley face. But his question deserves some thought. Does God care about football? Is he really in the huddle with Tim?
First, let’s be fair. Tebow thanks the Lord just as profusely after a loss. He thanks him for the opportunity to play pro football, to escape serious injury and for the chance to praise him publicly, win or lose. But it is that now-iconic pose called Tebowing that has fused with the national consciousness and our obsession with football. Check out YouTube. People are Tebowing everywhere, both mockingly and earnestly. Will it be long before we have streakers kneeling in the end zone and Tebowing?
Given all the inane celebratory choreography players perform after scoring touchdowns (admittedly some of them are pretty entertaining), Tebow’s display seems low-key by comparison, even respectful. He is young and exuberant in his faith, and some might say a bit exhibitionistic. Maybe he just gets a little carried away. But is it worse than miming a roll of the dice, dancing the salsa or performing CPR on the ball? What about the jump-and-bump?
I might argue that former coach and TV commentator Tony Dungy demonstrates his faith in a more effective and mature manner. But Tony has been around for a long time. He has a truly inspiring life story and has made his faith felt throughout professional sports as both a player and a mentor. It’s hard not to respect how Tony Dungy carries himself. He’s had a lot of practice.
I have a feeling Tim Tebow might pull back a little on the Tebowing thing next season, if only to avoid the appearance of trivializing his faith by linking it to scoring a touchdown. Most folks I know think God couldn’t give a heavenly hoot about pro football. They’re right. Meanwhile I’m curious to know what you think of Tebowing. Please post below. And while I’m at it I’d like to thank the Lord for helping me write this blog today. Let me strike the pose….
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Edward Grinnan is Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Guideposts Publications. Edward lives in New York City with two blondes—his wife, Julee, and young Golden Retriever, Millie, who has been featured in his blog and popular videos. Edward loves cycling, hiking with Millie at his house in the Berkshire Hills and Wolverines that hail from Michigan.
Your Comments
there's the story of two farmers in california, one grows grapes and one grows wheat. they're both godly men, one prays for rain, the other a dry day to harvest. whose prayer gets answered?
kinda like a football game, isn't it? good people on both sides hoping for a different outcome.
i think that tim is just being thankful for his health and ability to play the sport. i don't even think he's praying to win....i think he's just plain thankful.
God cares about us and if we care about football, then he is in it. He created everything or gave us the intelligence to create it. Tebow should do what he feels is right with God and forget the rest of the world. I don't care for football, but I could not be prouder for Tebow's faith, for displaying it, and not caring what others think. I'm tired of having to be a closet Christian because we don't want to offend anyone. How about non-christians who offend me? I hope Tebow keeps up the good work and the God work.
I respect Tim Tebow for having the courage of his convictions and for being a role model to a world that is in great need of Jesus. He is indeed living out the Great Commission whether it be on the football field or in his daily life. We need more people like him.
And Mr. Grinnan, I hope you did indeed thank God for helping you write the blog. "All things come of Thee,O Lord....."
You were right, I think, to compare what Tim Tebow does to the antics of others who dance etc. when they score a touchdown. It is just that Tim is Godly and the others are worldly and our people, especially the media, love to denigrate Tim while they love what the others do because it fits into their agenda and it makes for "great" airtime. Tim is bold and unashamed of his faith. Also, even those who are truly committed Christians are too much afraid of "offending" someone. And frankly, just afraid and uncomfortable about sharing their faith, period. I remember my sister telling me about a testimony she read. She said the man said, "Thank God someone was finally willing to offend me." My former pastor said that the trouble with most people is they don't know God and don't want to know God. So, of course, anything Godly is going to offend them. Jesus didn't say go into the world and make sure you don't offend anyone. He said go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. There are probably many people Tim reaches in his position as an excellent football player who will never hear the gospel were it not for him. A friend was telling me about the many thousands of internet hits were made for John 3:16 after Tim put that in his black undereye paint while playing football. He is doing the Great Commission in the sphere in which God has allowed him to be. Praise the Lord for his boldness and his faith.
It bothers me a lot to see people "Tebowing" as I feel that some of them may be mocking God. That is a very dangerous thing to do. God will not take it lightly. I believe that God is at the football games because He is every where. He cares greatly for all people and may be using Tim Tebow to win others to Himself. Tim Tebow is only 1 of many messengers that God is sending to us these days. We'd better sit up and take notice.
I don't believe God cares one way or another about football, or, any other sporting event. He has more important issues concerning mankind.
I do admire Tebow tho for his show of faith. In this day and age when so many struggle with faith issues, or lack of, it is nice to see a young man with such principles. As stated in the article, perhaps with age he will display his faith in a more subtle way, but who cares ? Chalk it up to the excitement of youth.
I say bravo Tim. You are a great role model for kids.
Of which we have so few, in pro sports.
And just to mention another great role model in my view is my ALL TIME favorite, Drew Brees. My hubby and I just love the guy. Another wonderful role model for kids...bravo to these 2 fellas.
Have a nice day everyone :)
I don't think God necessarily cares for football, but He cares deeply for people. And I think He will richly bless Tim Tebow for honoring Him in a bold, courageous way. In the Bible there are many instances of God's favor when His people were obedient to Him and loved Him first. Football can be an idol for people. I believe Tim wants people to know first and foremost that football and fame are not his idols...His worship is for His Lord and Savior. It does not matter what the world thinks, only what pleases God...and I think Tim demonstrates this in a mighty way. God bless him!
I believe God cares about football in the same sense any parent cares about what thier child is doing. Is football a critical issue in life? Not for me. But the time I spend studying or doing some other activity are not important to others who are not involved in my life. I think God cares how we feel about winning and losing but much more so about how we play the game, be it football or or a major event of our lives. We all should take such care as Tebow to bring God to work with us.
We should praise and thank God for our defeats. They can be valuable learning experiences. (I've had a few myself.)
I think that some people (SNL for one) did skits and 'Tebow'd' to really show their feelings about God and football.
I tend to believe that God really does not care one way or another about the outcome of a football game. Does football help humanity, does it demean humanity? Does football help the poor and weak in any way? If the answers to those questions are "yes", then I would change my mind. At this point I cannot say yes to either of those questions.
I praise Tim Tebow for not being afraid to show he is a Christian, in a time when Christianty is being came against by the world. I call it courageous:)
"Will it be long before we have streakers kneeling in the end zone and Tebowing?"
Gosh! I hope so ...
I don't really care if Tim Tebow wants to sacrifice goats and worship the Lord of the Flies. It's just that there's an appropriate time and place ...
and no ... I really don't think the Lord or Jesus is all that concerned about sports ... ESPECIALLY on a Sunday!
Tim Tebow is a great young man who is a wonderful role model for our youth. Everyone knows he is a Christian. When he kneels in prayer on the field, he is sharing that faith with whoever is watching. There are websites that show photos of people "Tebowing" who are in a position of prayer, but are clearlying NOT praying. I think those photos mock not only Tim Tebow, but Christianity as well. I hope next year the focus will be on Tim Tebow and his skills on the football.
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