Yesterday I pondered “The mystery of Tim Tebow“.
The page views on my blog increased exponentially, so it shouldn’t be a great mystery as to what I’ll write about today.
What else? Tim Tebow. After all, he’s a very hot topic.
First, a personal disclaimer: over a four year period, Tim Tebow was my worst nightmare. I am an avid Georgia Bulldog fan, class of 1983.
Go Dawgs! Sic ’em…woof, woof.
So writing about the greatness of Tim Tebow as a football player is not something that comes naturally to me. But there’s no debate that while at Florida, he was a great player as well as a great person of faith. Only question remains about his long term ability to compete in the NFL.
Even I (the avid Bulldog fan) have to admit that Tebow is a competitor with few equals and a Christian with sincere integrity.
Let’s face it…if you consider yourself a Christian, it sucks when he’s not on your team.
Because it’s impossible to hate Tim Tebow. However, I hated what he did to my Bulldogs.
Whether you love Tebow or hate him, not many people would assert that he isn’t authentic about his Christian faith.
While I hate to be one to jump on the bandwagon of Tebow the player after four years of abject misery he caused me to have — well, three, we did win one of the four years — yet I cannot help but notice that as the glare of attention and scrutiny on him grows, he is beginning to inspire more people.
In fact, the new fad to replace the dangerous practice of “planking” is called “Tebowing“, meaning to take a knee and bow your head in reverence or silent prayer.
There’s even a special “Tebowing” Fathead of Tim Tebow in action…or inaction, as the case may be.
Presidential candidate Rick Perry admits he wants to be like Tim Tebow in the Iowa primary.
Now ESPN has reported that a high school in Long Island suspended four athletes for “Tebowing” in the hall between periods. One of the four suspended students, Connor Carroll, was interviewed after his suspension and asked why he participated.
Carroll said,
Basically I took part in this to show tribute to Tim Tebow. He’s an ideal role model. He’s a winner. He’s a leader. He has great faith. He’s the perfect guy to follow after.
A noble gesture to be sure, but I’m not sure that was the ideal place to be making it.
The reaction by school officials was to http://bfnionizers.com/product/lb9110-esd-label/?add-to-cart=2473 suspend the four student athletes determined to be the ringleaders for wanting to follow in Tebow’s footsteps.
In fairness, it probably was as much a stunt by the students to gain attention as it was a genuine tribute to Tebow.
Critics of the students have suggested student safety was the reason for the disciplinary action.
Superintendent Nancy Carney said as much, claiming the suspensions were issued for “clogging the hallway.”
But why suspensions without any prior warning? Wasn’t that a bit…excessive? (a couple of the four suspensions were later rescinded.)
But the word excessive seems inadequate to describe the fact that Carney claims to have received hate mail from people accusing her of prejudice against religion. Hate mail which she admits has been unsettling.
“It’s a shame that people out there are so ready to judge,” she said.
Indeed.
I have learned not to judge my atheist friends too quickly, solely based on their lack of faith in my God.
I’m not trying to imply that Ms. Carney is an atheist by any stretch of the imagination, nor do I believe it relevant. I do think in the case of these suspensions, the punishment didn’t fit the crime, but that’s no justification or excuse for being hateful toward the administrators.
And think about it — hate mail from people who claim to be Christian?
Is that “What Would Jesus Do?”
Ask yourself,,,,would Tim Tebow send hate mail, or would he kneel and pray for the teachers? (Not blocking the hallway, of course.)
Speak Your Mind