A diehard Alabama fan explains the Tebow legacy…

Posted on 04. Dec, 2009 by Brett in God

Let me be clear: I’m tired of hearing about Tim Tebow.

I’m tired of the jumping around on the sideline. I’m tired of “the speech.” I’m tired of the eye black. I’m tired of the media’s gushing over his every move. I’m tired of the jump pass and all the rushing touchdowns. Quarterbacks are supposed to throw the ball. I’m tired of Verne Lundequist constantly reminding us of Tebow’s roommate. I’m just over it all. And have been for several years.

Now, I had my time. For me it started way back in 2005, when Alabama’s then coach Mike Shula was recruiting Tebow who was a senior at Nease High School in Florida. It quickly turned into a two-horse race between the Tide and the Gators. The hype was out of control as fans obsessed about Tebow’s college choice. There was the group of Florida undergrads who would go to Tebow’s high school games, bare-chested and painted up. There was the full-length ESPN special on Tebow, “The Chosen One.” There was Mike Shula’s infamous 8-hour in-home visit with the Tebow’s the night before signing day. And of course there was Tebow’s announcement live on ESPN. The entire states of Alabama and Florida came to a stop that afternoon to see what Timmy would do. Recruiting websites buckled from all the traffic. Unsurprisingly, he fulfilled his childhood dream and signed with the Gators. Florida fans rejoiced. Bama fans moped. Auburn fans sighed.

Everyone…and I mean everyone, in the recruiting world noticed there was something different about this guy. Good athletes are a dime a dozen, but this one had some serious intangibles–boldness, passion, leadership. His explosive play was matched by explosive character. Most of these blue chippers act like 17-year old prima donnas. But this one acted more like Maximus than Michael Jackson. A warrior. A field general. Shortly after Tebow signed, I told my Gator friend Chris, “You got a good one. I think he’ll win the Heisman and multiple national championships at Florida.” Lots of these high-profile recruits are a bust, never living up to the recruiting hype. Tebow incinerated that hype with a reality greater than the hype predicted, winning a Heisman and multiple national titles. (Still pretty proud of my prediction, by the way.)

So, why? Why do I, a diehard Alabama football fan, write about Tim Tebow on the eve of the biggest Alabama game in the last 17 years? A game that Tebow single-handedly won last year. A game the Gators would have little chance of winning without Tebow this year. Why is Tim Tebow the greatest NCAA superstar ever? Let me tell you why.

Because he is a mystery.

People can’t figure him out. It’s like the spirit of Mother Theresa living inside the body of Attila the Hun. That doesn’t make sense.

It’s a kid who is ruthlessly competitive and ruthlessly kind. Huh?

It’s a kid who can go deaf to 90,000 drunken, raging LSU fans in October and yet turn his ear to helpless Filipino orphans in June. Er…what?

It’s a kid who could literally have any woman in the western hemisphere, yet proudly proclaims he is a virgin. Record-scratch.

And though the media can’t quite figure him out either, they love him too. American media is obsessed with heroes–men to elevate that will inspire the masses. Truth be told, Tim Tebow fits the American archetype for a hero better than any sports figure in a generation. Strong. Athletic. Competitive. Calm under pressure. Humble. Nice. And most of all, wildly succesful.

Even in the brutal world of internet sports forums, rival fans have little to slam Tebow with. You’re doing all right when the only dirt they have on you is that you wore jorts for a photo shoot once.

Part of the mystery is that Tim Tebow is the person we wish we were–deep, deep down. He’s the man our moms wanted us to be. He’s the athlete our dads dreamed us to be when we were in the crib. And in an era of Tiger Woods, John Edwards, and Bernie Madoff’s, he has character, seemingly canyon-deep.

My friend Jim talks about how a man’s hand perfectly explains his existence. One side is all knuckle and bone, crafted with hard ridges and perfect for delivering a devastating blow–a man’s first strike in defending his family or pummeling injustice. The other side of the hand is softer, useful for scooping up a crying child or caressing his wife. The design of the hand represents God’s plan for a man–one part warrior, one part gentle lover. Rare to find a man in such great balance here.

That’s the part most of the world can’t understand about Tim Tebow.

And yes, I’m an Alabama fan, but I’m also a Christian. And while I’m ready for Tim Tebow to move on (and out of the SEC forever), there’s a part of me that marvels with a deep respect for what he has accomplished and what he stands for.

So thanks for what you’ve done Tim, but I hope my Crimson Tide pummels you into oblivion at the Georgia Dome, ruining your story-book ending and crushing the hopes of jort-wearing Gators everywhere. :)

What are your thoughts on the Tebow mania?


7 Responses to “A diehard Alabama fan explains the Tebow legacy…”

  1. Jacob

    04. Dec, 2009

    Excellent post. Tebow is the real deal. Auburn fans are VERY happy he didn’t sign with Bama. But it just isn’t fair, so I, along with every other SEC fan in the country (except Gator fans), am happy to see him move on.
    I’m ready for football to get back to the days when it takes a team to win.
    And ready for Gator fans to be back down on the pecking order where they belong. :-)

  2. Doug

    05. Dec, 2009

    Being a Gator fan, I understand the nation is tired of hearing about all the “great” things this kid does on and off the field. I feel like we are used to the great players only being in the college ranks for a year or two tops. To have a kid that is a great player, a great leader, and a winner stay for all four years has caused all of us to grow tired of it all. I realized last week that although we all are tired of hearing about this one player, we need to realize he is one of the greatest players to have ever played the game.

    As for “Gator fans to be back down on the pecking order” don’t be confused… The Gator locker room will have another great QB next year with John Brantley. Notice I didn’t say a great leader, but he is going to be a good QB. My prediciton… You will see Heisman numbers from Brantley next year.

    But next year isn’t here yet so Go Gators! Timmy give us one more run!

  3. Wes Howard

    05. Dec, 2009

    Great post Trapp. Personally, I can’t get enough of the stories of Tebow. The more we can hear about the good he does, the less we have to hear about all the other stories of fights, DUI’s, affairs, etc.

    I do understand why you would be sick of it though. I cringed every time commentators would mention how David Pollack’s motor didn’t stop running and show the footage of him and David Green as kids on the same team. It got old. So I am not blaming you for your precious little feelings.

    Of course I am a HUGE Gator fan today. I would cheer for Osama Bin Laden over Bama. With all that said… Tebow is Superman and will once again single-handedly defeat Bammer again.

    GO GATORS!

  4. Robby Potter

    07. Dec, 2009

    I am in no way a gator fan. I am a Tennesse Fan and if anybody hated that jump pass it was the VOL NATION. We were the first to have to swallow it. I am deployed with a National Guard unit that is primarily Bama Fans. I had to work Sunday morning for us so I did not stay up to watch but I got early to call my wife. Once awake I looked at the sores and FB. I seen the score and was like ‘WOW I never expected that.” I started scrolling through FB and seen all the comments on Tebow crying and it just made me mad. I was thinking “Are you serious?”. I remembered back to last year to when Saban looked like he had shed a few tears and nobody called him a crybaby. This young man loved the game and that is what made him cry. I think the writer of this post said it right when he said yes we are all tired of hearing about Tebow but no matter what team you pull for you have to respect this young man for what he has accomplished on and off the field. He has led countless people to Christ. Myer will even tell you he and his family are better because of being around Tebow. I have been up in the air about who to pull for in the NAtional Championship and I know I should root for a SEC Team, but it sure is hard after seeing the true Alabama Colors come out in some of the fans. I figure thier orange is close to mine anyways.

    Go Vols!!

  5. Bryan

    09. Dec, 2009

    Good post Trappstr! I remember watching that ESPN special at the 301 in Homewood! I hope he goes pro so I can actually pull for him without any SEC guilt.

  6. Brett

    10. Dec, 2009

    Jacob – You make a good point. I think the Gators have ridden the wave of a once-in-a-generation player. Going to be interesting to see how they do without him next year.

    Doug – Brantley is a phenom. I believe he was a 5* coming out of high school. BIIIIIG shoes to fill though.

    Wes – Your first paragraph is genius and provides great perspective on the “I’m tired of hearing about Tebow” gripe.

    Robby – Yeah I was disappointed to see Tebow crying so much after they lost. I know it hurts. I know he’s an emotional guy. But suck it up and face the music like a man. And besides…”THERE’S NO CRYING IN FOOTBALL!!!”

    Bryan – I remember that day like it was yesterday. Long live 301! haha…

  7. Josh Potts

    17. Dec, 2009

    My sentiments EXACTLY, Brett. I mean, word for stinking word! Very nicely put..

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