S ome things matter more than football. It would be hard to believe that when over 850 people attended SEC Media Days, but all the attention and hoopla surrounding football can serve a higher purpose.
Just ask Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
The junior Florida quarterback is often portrayed as Superman. He performs circumcisions while on mission trips, and still has time to win football games.
But Tebow keeps winning in perspective.
“If I can change a kid’s life for the better, that’s much more important to me than going out there and beating Georgia or Florida State or whatever team it is,†Tebow said.
Tebow spends a lot of time talking about being an example. It hasn’t changed since he was a homeschooled highly sought after football recruit.
Even his name was selected with a deeper meaning. Tebow was named for the Apostle Paul’s young friend, Timothy, a name that means “honoring God,†according to a 2006 Baptist Press report.
According to that same Baptist Press report, Tebow began years ago visiting the Philippines to lead evangelistic crusades and minister to orphans.
True to form, Tebow completed the annual summer mission trip again this year. But Tebow didn’t stop there. He went on more mission trips. This is Tim Tebow that we are talking about.
“We had three breaks. For those three breaks I went to the Philippines, Croatia and Thailand on three mission trips,†Tebow said. “All three of those places I got to do a lot of very neat things, preaching in prisons, in schools, in hospitals, in marketplaces.â€
And why spend time preaching and working with the poor? After all, Tebow is a superstar. His fans shower him with adulation, and more than a few indecent or “inappropriate†proposals.
“The reason I do it is because it’s more important than football to me,†Tebow said. “Doing those things, taking my platform as a football player and using it for good, using it to be an influence and change people’s lives, that’s more important than football to me.
“I can take what I do in playing football as a game and change people’s lives with it. That’s why football is such a great game. That’s kind of why I do the things, preaching in prisons, doing those different things, trying to take advantage of that platform that God has blessed me with.â€
Tebow called football his platform for doing good. It is his bully pulpit. His chance to influence others; his chance to do something positive.
“I want to do everything in my power that football gives me to influence as many people as I can for the good because that’s gonna mean so much more when it’s all said and done than just playing football and winning championships,†Tebow said.
Tebow wants a legacy beyond football. It is an amazingly good perspective for someone at the pinnacle of college football.
But it shouldn’t shock us. This is Tim Tebow after all.
I’m glad you presented us with this information, Capstone. Too many people dislike Tebow for various reasons (could it be because he’s a gifted athlete?), but this article goes to show he has an amazing talent and heart.
Glad you liked this.
I admit that I started listening to Tebow, and was very negative. I’ve always thought the hype always blurred his real talent and persona.
But when I actually listened…I came away impressed.
He is a class act, reminding me of Jay Barker’s days at Alabama. Barker was pelted with criticism for sharing his faith as much as he did. Glad to see Tebow is doing the same. I’m with you, Cappy, on thinking he is a bit overated, but I’d still trade five of our guys to have him today. God will continue to bless him, which makes pulling against him hard, if not impossible!
Whodathinkit,
Maybe everyone thought that because Myer comes across as smug Tebow would too. I am happy and pleasantly surprised to see that he has a focus that goes beyond football glory.
Im with you intheknow…I hope we beat Fl. every year but that Tebow has a good game. Its hard for me to pull against Mark Richt as well. Tim Tebow is a real Christian. His fruit proves it.
The only thing I have never liked about Tebow is the choice of school he chose to play for…
I’ve always liked Tebow, and like my predecessor said, the only dislike I have about him is his choice of school.
He’ll excel at every level both on and off the field. He’s already a legend in the making.
If only…
I was upset with his commitment to UF, but either way, it’s understandable. That was his favorite team growing up, and I don’t blame him for electing to make those childhood dreams come true.
If it were an Alabama kid in his position, you guys wouldn’t have a problem accepting it. We should thank him for at least looking into us, and giving his decision a lot of time and thought, but he chose to go where his heart told him to, so we can’t blame him for that.
Besides, would you guys rather play for Mike Shula or Urban Meyer? lol