Everybody needs to just back off Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow will go down as one of the greatest college football players in history (as hard as that is for some Georgia fans to stomach).
It also possible he will go down with other great college players, including Heisman Trophy winners, who weren’t good enough to play in the NFL. Archie Griffin, Johnny Rogers, Andre Ware, Danny Wuerffel, almost every other quarterback who played at Florida and even your David Greene all come to mind.
But for some reason, Tebow is being treated differently right now.
I’ve never seen a college athlete so ridiculously dissected and debated daily. I’ve never seen a college athlete – who by the way exemplified everything we want a college athlete to be – seemingly have so many people (mostly rival SEC fans) pulling against him. Is there some motivation to root against a player’s desire to make a living?
Look, I get the whole 24/7 media feeding frenzy thing. I’m part of it. But what this guy is being subjected to right now doesn’t seem quite right. And folks, I don’t have a dog in this hunt. Didn’t go to school anywhere around here.
I suppose Tebow set himself up for this. He didn’t have to go to the Senior Bowl. He could’ve done private, low-key workouts for teams back in Gainesville and not been subjected to all of this public criticism. But doesn’t that say something that he knew this might be coming and he didn’t care?
Tebow was torched by the media and draft scouts after his first day of Senior Bowl workouts. It was so bad that his agent, Jimmy Sexton, must have felt compelled to protect his client’s interests and come up with an excuse. He said Tebow had been “hospitalized” with strep throat and had a “103 temperature.” But that didn’t seem to be bothering the player in interviews.
I don’t know if Tebow will make it in the NFL. Even with the intangibles, his skill set might not translate. But what’s the motivation in rooting against him?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
466 comments Add your comment
Big Sack Dawg
January 27th, 2010
11:06 am
Tim Tebow is an amazing athlete. He has been an amazing QB at the college level. He is THE best leader I have ever seen in sports. He is a motivator, a class act, and a gentleman. A rare jewel in today’s sports world. I don’t know however, how well he can play at his position in the NFL. From what I have read it is QB or nothing for Tebow. Is he good enough to play in the NFL…..Hell yea……Is he good enough to play QB??? I have my doubts.
Matt
January 27th, 2010
11:08 am
Tebow is being used……………you are dead on!
t-boned
January 27th, 2010
11:09 am
ok I mentioned this in one of the ESPN blogs yesterday in regards to America’s way of thinking.
Another UF quarterback, Jesse Palmer, goes on “The Bachelor” after his college career and professes his undying love to the final 3 women in hopes of getting all 3 to spend the night with him in a hotel room and succeeds. (where are any of them today?) America thinks that is just fine, slaps him on the back, and off Jesse goes to an ESPN career.
Tim Tebow thinks and lives another way. I, for one, thought the fact that he chose to stay in school another year was refreshing enough despite his beliefs. But Tim chooses to live his life above board and gets the finger pointed at him for doing so.
Chris Crocker
January 27th, 2010
11:10 am
LEAVE TEBOW ALONE!!! All you people care about is making money off of him. He’s HUMAN!!!
jellybeandawg
January 27th, 2010
11:13 am
I think Tebow would make a great tight end in the NFL but is not really an NFL QB.
ratherBgambling
January 27th, 2010
11:14 am
I rather hear about Tebow then about steriods in baseball, mick vick dogfighting, NBA gun carriers, USCw cheatering, Lane Kiffin, TW womanizing and all the other negatives about athletes that ESPN feeds on.
Oh by the way, watch the Super Bowl ad before you pass judgement.
Paul in RDU
January 27th, 2010
11:16 am
Jeff – as far as rival SEC fans hating Tebow is concerned (and many of them do) that’s just the way some people are with their Manichean view of the world. There is nothing anyone can say to them that will change their minds about Tebow.
I think more interesting is the reaction of the “professionals” – the scouts, “draft experts”, etc. Many of these guys, having dissected Tebow’s mechanics, skills, etc, seem to want him to fail in order to validate their own opinions. Misevaluation is nothing new. This same group (or their predecessors) spent all of Dan Marino’s senior year looking for things he couldn’t do with the result that he was the 6th QB taken – behind 2 hall of famers, of course, but Eason, Blackledge and O’Brien??
Bill
January 27th, 2010
11:17 am
Dawg fans don’ like him cause he kicked thier butts 17 out of 20 times.thats it in a nut shell.
SimpleDawg
January 27th, 2010
11:18 am
The worst Heisman Trophy winner of all time? Gino Torretta of Miami. They gave him Garrison Hearst’s Heisman.
I still say Teblow is the modern version of another former Gator QB/RB and former Falcon, Harmon Wages. Although Saint Timothy does seem to be a better QB than Harmon was, he still isn’t a bona fide NFL QB, but he may be the next upgrade to the “Wildcat” offense. He can also be used as a short yardage back and third down back field blocker.
Harmon Wages had a good NFL career until all of that “clean living” caught up with him. Charmin’ Harmon loved the ladies and the night life. He certainly was an interesting fellow……
Eddie
January 27th, 2010
11:18 am
Envy jealously and hatred.
The people criticizing him have one or all of these traits. It’s just like the hatred for the evil rich. They are losers or the team they like are losers, so they bash him, thinking it will make them feel better. Tebow is exactly what every father would want their son to be like. Total class act.
Chris
January 27th, 2010
11:19 am
It’s great that Tebow wants to live life above board. But contrary to what t-boned claimed, nobody is giving him the finger for doing it.
I can’t speak for all, but some of us are giving him the finger for proselytizing to us while we’re trying to enjoy a football game. Nobody denies Tebow’s freedom to be annoying. But don’t expect everybody to like the fact that he takes advantage of it.
Insulted
January 27th, 2010
11:19 am
47,000,000…… and counting
Hey GA Gator…… the number above is the number of innocent lives we have slaughtered since “pre-1950 crap” or whatever u call it. Are you saying that’s a good thing? You are one sick SOB.
Angus
January 27th, 2010
11:19 am
For me (and I’d bet a slew of others), his failure will validate my beliefs and I can say “I told you so” – admittedly juvenile, but oh well.
That he’s not a great QB. That he’s not the greatest college player ever. That his success was b/c he happened to be a good QB for one of the most talented teams/programs ever. That his most significant passes all flew like ducks. That he didn’t belong in NYC this year.
I will say that historically I cringe when players in post-game interviews say,”I’d like to thank God….”. Not with Tebow – you know he means it.
MR
January 27th, 2010
11:20 am
ghost dawg
You are a jerk. It is no wonder that you are a dawg fan.
Alphare
January 27th, 2010
11:20 am
Tebow is a role model for all of us. I wish him nothing but the best no matter what he does in his future. There is no way he will be concerned for things like food on the table or mortgage payment for the next month. He will have a life of spiritual and financial safety most of us can ever dream of. So, don’t worry, he will be OK no matter what happens to the next level of his.
gator hunter
January 27th, 2010
11:20 am
As much as I detest the Florida Gators, including Tim Tebow when adorned in orange and blue, no one can say anything against his ethic, his character, or his talent. Granted, his QB skills may not be up to NFL standards, but he seems ideal for a wildcat type situation or something like that. I hope there are legions of youngsters, gator and non-gator alike, who will aspire to have Tebow’s character and ethic.
ga gator
January 27th, 2010
11:22 am
Truthfully I understand people feeling as Tebow was pushed down their throats, but it’s not the kids fault. He lived his life as he thought was best to the best of his ability. I agree with Buck Belue on 680; he doesn’t have a great arm, hasn’t been in the best offense, etc. But he also said that he’s been a success at every level and he wouldn’t bet against him either.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 27th, 2010
11:23 am
Hated Peyton Manning while he was at UT. Love watching him as a Pro. Hated Tebow at UF, hope he exceeds expectations as a pro.
It is not the player, it is the school. I cannot pull for a Gator, while he is fighting against my beloved Dogs, but once the UF jersey is traded in who really cares!
David Pollack was a DGD, but really was it the same pulling for him when he was in that Bengals jersey? Not for me it wasn’t!
Dawglasville
January 27th, 2010
11:23 am
The reason Tebow makes everyone so mad is envy. I would love to have two national titles in two years. If you can find anything “exclusive” about the teachings of Jesus Christ please share it with me because I guess I’m reading something different. Let the kid be a kid. This is America after all.
Nike/Tiger Super Bowl Commercial
January 27th, 2010
11:24 am
Brit Hume baptises Tiger in a water hazard/Tiger renounces Buddhism/hits 2 iron in the hole/Praises Jesus/America forgives him/Ka-Ching for NIke/Amen!
UGAFan
January 27th, 2010
11:24 am
I like Teabow and hope he proves these draft experts wrong. It’s ludicrous to think that, given his work ethic and physical talents, he can’t make the changes he will need to make to thrive in the NFL. It may take a couple of years, but you see him play on Sundays one day.
Dawglasville
January 27th, 2010
11:26 am
Two titles in 3 years.
Browncoat
January 27th, 2010
11:27 am
Some of you are very sad little people.
MR
January 27th, 2010
11:27 am
Chris, you are just jealous. The kid does what is in his heart and what his up bringing calls for. I guess you say the same thing about the players who thank god when they accomplish something and then end up in jail for a DUI or shouldering a beer keg on the beach. This kid lives his convictions and is not ashamed to state them.
bruce mac
January 27th, 2010
11:28 am
Wow Bill, the Gators should be on probation forever if they are playing one quarterback for 20 years running. I know what you meant but couldn’t resist.
Joseph
January 27th, 2010
11:28 am
I don’t wish anyone bad luck but his bible thumping holier than now ways are not my cup of tea. He needs to be successful without being obtrusive for me to back off this clown.
Vickers
January 27th, 2010
11:28 am
Tebow is a great football player and a role model. I’m not pulling against him but I would like him better if he would keep his religious beliefs to himself. The bible verses and his up coming Superbowl commercial get on my nerves. Crying after losing a football game doesn’t help his cause either. I think he is making a big mistake involving himself in the controversial abortion issue. That will cost him some fans but he probably doesn’t care anyway.
MR
January 27th, 2010
11:29 am
Cheeseburger
Man go take your meds. How did Obama get into this blog. I did not see it in JS article. You are a joke man.
ratherBgambling
January 27th, 2010
11:30 am
Ga Gator
I will tell you this. If his ad runs during the SB I will not watch it.
If my NFL team drafts the guy, I will discontinue my season ticket package. I am not supporting the pre-1950’s crap.
I don’t support his views and don’t want to hear them in a public arena. He is a walking social/political diaster for any organization.
You sir are as close minded as those you scorn!
Chris
January 27th, 2010
11:31 am
Enter your comments here
ga gator
January 27th, 2010
11:31 am
Cheesburger you forgot to say: want to win a National Championship?
Dawg Days
January 27th, 2010
11:32 am
Hey Schiltzy,
I don’t understand your pretense hear, Tebow is undeniably ones of the greatest college football players, but his fundamentals do not translate well as a NFL quarterback. I don’t see the NFL scouts or reporters treating him any different than other high profile athletes. He has the intangibles,ie passion, leadership, wins, etc, but the NFL scouts are not focused on those, but the fundamentals! Conversely, Stafford last year had the prototypical NFL fundamentals, quick release, cannon of an arm, pro style system, et, but they attacked his desire, character, leadership, et al…
So I dont see the press or NFL scouts treating Tebow any different than Stafford last year, but rather their percieved weaknessess.
how2fish
January 27th, 2010
11:32 am
I too don’t feel comfortable with Tebow’s stance on some issues…but he has the right to say them..and from the looks of it the balls. What company has a right to curtail your right to free speech..because the minute they tell you you can’t talk this or that they just did..and you let them do it. Best of luck to Tebow…hell nothing he can say can piss me worse that Barney Frank or Nancy P…hey I’m just saying.
ben there
January 27th, 2010
11:33 am
back off Tebow? its gonna make me cry.
collegeballfan
January 27th, 2010
11:33 am
“But what’s the motivation in rooting against him?”
Lack of class by the fans of other schools.
Banned By Cindy
January 27th, 2010
11:35 am
Because he overtly makes his beliefs known when they should remain a private matter. It’s like wearing a klan hoody just so everyone knows where you stand. Who gives a krap that he believes in ancient mythology and some sort of absurd “afterlife”, like humans are special or something – that’s rich.. Cure the lepers if he wants but that aint got nothing to do with the gridiron.
v
January 27th, 2010
11:35 am
I amy not agree with Tebow, but he certainly has the right to speak his mind. I don’t begrudge Tebow that someone is willing to pay to have a commercial run on the Super Bowl wherein he expresses his political/religous views. Unfortunately many people don’t want to hear anything they don’t agree with. Frankly I think it’s more interesting to hear someone say something I don’t agree with than something I do agree with. Hopefully it will make me consider the merits of my viewpont, whether I agree with him or not.
MR
January 27th, 2010
11:36 am
No Vickers he does not care because that is what he believes in. I find it funny that all the other players can spout religion and talk about God but if Tebow does it everyone get their panties in a wad.
PTC DAWG
January 27th, 2010
11:36 am
What makes you think UGA fans find it hard to face facts about Tebow? He’s one of the best for sure…your start to this column was a reach at best..
TXDawg
January 27th, 2010
11:36 am
It seems that fact is being mistaken for hate. Just like when Heath Shuler came out and picked with the 3rd pick in 1st round, he was a bust and I stated as much before he was drafted (honestly). Shuler was the product of a prolific SEC offense at Tenn, holding many team records by the time he left school. Tebow, is another from a similar mold. In all his years at Florida he has not shown scouts that he can line up in a pro-set offense (we heard a lot last year that he would be doing so in his Senior year). So your comment that he didn’t need to go to the Senior Bowl seems awkward, in that, he needs to show scouts something other than line up in the Shotgun and Run for touchdowns.
I’m a UGA fan, yes, but that has nothing to do with my view of him as a player. Percy Harvin is a Gator but in the NFL he’s a Viking. I rooted for him to do good this season because his college career is over and have no reason to root against him.
Understand?
suwaneedawg
January 27th, 2010
11:37 am
Jeff, the problem is our contry is full of ideologues and abortion is a polarizing subject. I think CBS should do what they want and if people don’t like the commercial then don’t watch it. Maybe CBS should tell people when the commercial will air and then you can turn it if you choose to do so. I am not by any means a Flordia fan nor a Tebow fan. However, he will go down as the greatest leader to ever play college football and will be be given a solid chance in the NFL rather it be a QB or tight end. Tebow has earned that privilege.
MR
January 27th, 2010
11:37 am
Dawg fan?..Banned By Cindy …correct.
dr. Touche
January 27th, 2010
11:38 am
Tebow was a butt-hole baby…
MR
January 27th, 2010
11:38 am
Sorry PTC DAWG but JS knows the dawg nation. Just read the post.
Dawggy
January 27th, 2010
11:39 am
Anyone who says he will do endorsements or be a football announcer are morons. Have you ever heard the guy talk? He sounds like a juvenile 12 yearold playing video games.
MR
January 27th, 2010
11:39 am
Every negative blog proves JS point. Their names have some connection from the dawg nation. Of course that is not true. The dawg nation is better than that. They don’t hate on a superior player from UF. HA HA HA
Dawglasville
January 27th, 2010
11:39 am
Hollier than who? I haven’t heard this kid put down anyone. I don’t understand the venom.
Joe T
January 27th, 2010
11:39 am
LISTEN…..There is no doubt why this kid is getting lambasted at every turn……it is because he is a CHRISTIAN. Plain and simple. His Christian views are outstanding and I applaud him for his faith and strength to endure the public outcry about his belief. Jesus was persecuted during His mininstry on earth so why should it be any different for any other person. I applaud you, Tim Tebow!!!!!! I am a Gerogia fan and a Georgia Southern graduate. I was born and raised in the South and have seen everything in Georgia football from Hershel Walker to Erk Russell. This kid is the best leader I have ever seen in college football and it is not only because of his physical talent, but his spiritual beliefs as well. God gave his talent and he is simply using it all to his ability. Wait and see, Tim Tebow will be successful in whatever he does in life…..because of his faith in Jesus Christ!
MR
January 27th, 2010
11:43 am
Look out Joe T….here comes the rath of the blogger. Good comment.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 27th, 2010
11:43 am
I hope he makes it so we can watch him try to move all those nfl piles and some of the D linemen at the next level will be faster than him, but he will probably get drafted in the later rounds by a decent team that will use him for the wildcat , he will play a few years and then be named head coach at Fla when Urban really retires.