By: Zach Collins
Both of the following statements are true statements. One of the best athletes, thus far, in the 21st century is Tim Tebow. One of the most controversial athletes, thus far, in the 21st century is Tim Tebow.
Let me be clear. I was never a fan of the Florida Gators, the Denver Broncos, the New York Jets, or the Jacksonville Jaguars. But, when I was growing up, I was always a Tim Tebow fan. He just happened to play for each of these teams. He was, perhaps, the greatest quarterback to play college football. He was a two-time BCS National Champion, Heisman Trophy winner, two-time Maxwell Award winner, and the AP College Football Player of the Year.
However, Tim Tebow became more well-known for something outside of his football career, his faith. While I do not endorse some of his religious views, many of which have no biblical foundation, I always admired and appreciated that he was not ashamed of his faith and how it defined his life. In some of the most popular games, on the largest platforms, he would write bible verses on the eye-black under his eyes. He was also known for taking a knee on the football field and praying. It was an action that, later, would become known as a verb, “Tebowing”, and would be attached to any player who would follow suit and openly express their religious right of prayer before crowds of people.
Do you remember how the media responded to the “Tebowing” sensation? It was not the finest hour in sports and news media. Most sports anchors and pundits ridiculed Tebow for expressing his religious rights by praying on the field and expressing a show of unity, shaming the minority of media that heralded Tebow as a sports hero in the process. How sad and ironic it is that, a few years later, another sports figure would be praised, albeit by many of the news anchors that ridiculed Tebow, for taking a knee for a more divisive cause to spread a different message. Satan would like us to be divided on unity and united on division. This truth could not have been more transparent in the smug arrogance and worldly hypocrisy on display in the divisive media.
Nevertheless, it became a very common association. When a person saw an athletic player take a knee and begin to pray, they instantly associated the action with the superstar athlete Tim Tebow, hence why it was called, “Tebowing.” Let me present you with a thought, for just a moment. Wouldn’t it be great to have such a reputation that, when someone thinks of you, they think of Jesus?
Maybe when they think of studying the Bible… They think of you.
Maybe when they think of a forgiving heart… They think of you.
Maybe when they think of helping the poor and needy… They think of you.
Maybe when they think of praying… They think of you.
Maybe when they think of Jesus Christ and the Christian life… They think of you.
Both of the following statements are true. You can play sports, in some of the most popular games on the largest platforms, to have a meaningful impact on the lives of others. You do not have to play sports, in some of the most popular games on the largest platforms, to have a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Through your influence, you can create a common association between you and Jesus Christ.
When someone thinks of Christianity, do they think of you?
September 15th, 2023