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
SEC FANATIC
January 27th, 2010
12:26 pm
Mr. Schultz, make NO mistake about it…if Tebow played for UGA, he would be the Ruler of Athens. If he had decided to play for the Tide, he would have had statues built for him. That is the ONLY difference here really…Hate the rival, not the player.
Richham
January 27th, 2010
12:27 pm
I don’t know about him making it as a quarterback, but the guy would probably make a good safety or receiver in the nfl
Mike Jay
January 27th, 2010
12:27 pm
this required a column to answer?
Simple:
Success breed contempt.
Ackmed Sookmadeek
January 27th, 2010
12:28 pm
I agree, keep the commercials lite (no pun intended).
'Bama 1
January 27th, 2010
12:28 pm
GaGator, I bet against him in the SEC championship and won some money. But my question is, will he cry like a little baby if he loses?
Natureboy809
January 27th, 2010
12:30 pm
It is normally hard to hate a guy like Tebow, but a Gators uniform makes it very easy.
Really?
January 27th, 2010
12:30 pm
Since you said so Jeff. OK!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 27th, 2010
12:32 pm
how2fish
January 27th, 2010
12:01 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan you are the dumbest racist on the planet..you just are.
“Because I support Tebow & Rodgers”?
That makes a lot of sense
Najeh Davenpoop
January 27th, 2010
12:33 pm
Do you have any links to back up this supposed backlash against Tim Tebow? Nobody I’ve seen, outside of a few left-wingers who predictably reacted to his anti-abortion commercial, have been outright criticizing his character. The only sports-related criticisms I see of him are the same ones that NFL draft experts have been repeating for a while now. Where is this mass of people pulling for him to fail? Everywhere I look he seems to be well-liked by most football fans. Other than Gator fans, conservative Christians, and pro-choice activists, I don’t think most people care one way or the other whether he succeeds or fails in the NFL. I sure don’t.
UT Fan
January 27th, 2010
12:35 pm
The kid is a fraud and a punk. His taunting in victory (see last year’s NC game vs. Oklahoma) and tears when he loses a game (Ole Miss ‘08, SECCG vs. Bama) is not “heart”, it’s poor sportmanship — and a bad example for kids. When you lose, you are supposed to take it like a winner by setting your jaw, congratulating the other team and moving on…. Tebow is no better than those 12-year old spoiled brat little leaguers who cry and throw fits when they lose en route to the LLWS. Had Tebow shown more class in victory and defeat, I would agree about him…but he didn’t. He’s won a lot of games, including four vs. my Volunteers, but the Tebow “myth” was built by fans, the media, his coach and himself. Even in interviews, he gets carried away by mentioning all the good deeds he has done, how real “pressure” isn’t on the field, but while helping those less fortunate in Third World nations. In my book, when you blow your own horn, the deed becomes null and void. Ephesians 2:8-9, since he loves advertising bible verses, says…”8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.” I would not make such judgments, but I am sick to death hearing so many people claim that this kid is perfect. If he were perfect, he wouldn’t cry when he loses, taunt when he wins or toot his own horn when he does good deeds. The kid was a good college football player. No doubt, but he’s not any role model.
DAWG
January 27th, 2010
12:35 pm
I fairly easy to see why everyone pulls against Tebow.. The media has been pushed him down everybodies throat for four years.. Give it a rest PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
college football
January 27th, 2010
12:35 pm
who does religious clown Tebow think he is? It’s a womans right to do whatever with her health, there is no room for that in sports and especially mr. JOHN 3:16. That religious zealot needs to worry about some 250 lb. linebacker drilling his @ss. Have you never noticed his actions closely, he is quite weird. People like this guy are annoying, go thump your bible somewhere else!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
January 27th, 2010
12:36 pm
Larry
January 27th, 2010
12:01 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan-
I’m not saying he cant improve and find success in the NFL, I’m just saying he has a long way to go. Unless NFL teams start winning super bowls running zone reads and jump passes, he is going to have to totally reinvent himself as a QB.
“Dude already has 25 PICKS” in less than 2 FULL seasons, 25 PICKS in 29 games.
He couldn’t win a playoff game even if the other team didn’t show up
Tebow on the other hand is tough and plays through injuries.
Class of '98
January 27th, 2010
12:37 pm
Hey GaGator…
I bet against Tebow in the SEC Championship game a few weeks ago.
That worked out pretty well for me.
Scott
January 27th, 2010
12:40 pm
Well, he really screwed up now because of the fact that he is doing a commercial which supports mothers forgoing abortion, since that act is the reason he is alive today. Outrageous I tell you.
Chris
January 27th, 2010
12:41 pm
The hype surrounding Tebow is, in large part, because of his eye black. The media sought to build up his fundamentalism as something that should be emulated, and Tebow happily milks it at every opportunity.
Vick=Dog killing thug
January 27th, 2010
12:41 pm
This dawg fan wishes Tebow well. I’d like to see the hype die down. That goes for Farve too.
Bama fan
January 27th, 2010
12:43 pm
UT fan,
Interesting perspective. I’ve heard the same from any number of fans that Tebow always seems to be tooting his own horn, always mentioning his good deeds, always drawing attention to himself in some fashion or form. Always playing the drama card like with the Ole Miss after game speech last year. So much for humility and grace. I still think he’s a good guy but likewise I’ve always noticed he seems to showboat more than just about anyone I can think of. No offense to the gator fans. Its just that its quite noticeable to everyone else.
dawgfaninfl
January 27th, 2010
12:45 pm
UTfan…..agreed 100%. Very well said.
Geez!
January 27th, 2010
12:45 pm
college football – Satan called and said he looks forward to meeting you some day!
Big Sack Dawg
January 27th, 2010
12:46 pm
Bill…..I do like Tebow……and you are a genuine Jack Ass
UT Fan
January 27th, 2010
12:48 pm
Bama fan- I agree. I’m not saying he’s a bad kid. Obviously he does do good things and he’s certainly a great competitor, but I don’t buy into the whole “walkin’ on water” persona he has been anointed with. Strange, huh? Bama and Tennessee agreeing.
GoJackets
January 27th, 2010
12:49 pm
I wish Tebow well. I think he is a good person and works hard. I dont think he will translate well to the NFL but we will see. He could prove everyone wrong. I can fully understand the backlash though. Tim Tebow has been built up by ESPN and CBS to such an extreme level that alot of people just got sick of it. Watching his games on CBS was painful at times. Did he deserve this backlash? No. He can thank the media for it though.
UT Fan
January 27th, 2010
12:51 pm
Ok. Maybe I did say he’s a fraud and a punk.
Railroad Dawg
January 27th, 2010
12:51 pm
It works both ways. Every talking head has been wearing a set of Tebow knee pads for the past four years, and I never heard from anyone that it was just too much praise for the guy. Now it’s coming from the other side. Really seems to be normal ebb and flow for any big athletic figure to me. I’m just tired of hearing about the guy all together. He was most definitely a great collegiate, and I probably would have loved him had he been a dawg………though I can only hope that he and Richt would have never been caught rubbing noses.
singndablues
January 27th, 2010
12:52 pm
Pretty simple and it’s already been well stated here by “Tebow is being used” 10:46. Tebow flaunts his beliefs during sporting events – a huge turnoff to many fans. I watch sports because I love them and for me it’s great entertainment. But I hate and I do mean hate, to be preached to during these events. It sports not a political or religious event. He’s free to believe what he wants just don’t preach to me from a sports pulpit.
And that in a nutshell is why people are hating on Tebow. Not for his beliefs but for his arrogance to push them in our face during sporting events.
WOW!
January 27th, 2010
12:57 pm
college football, Is that you Satan?
justme
January 27th, 2010
1:02 pm
This blog just proves again what everyone knows. Georgia fans are the dumbest, no class people in the U.S…Bottom line, he beat uga like a drum so they hate him. They probably also hate the QB’s from KY, OK State, LSU, TENN,etc…how pathetic is your life if you actually pull for a young man to fail in life? I expect most of the ones who want Tebow to fail are abject failures themselves.
Brett Favre
January 27th, 2010
1:03 pm
LOL…. that idiot just compared Tebow to Jesus!
ratherBgambling
January 27th, 2010
1:03 pm
If UT fans know so much about a “fraud and punk”, why so gidding about LK last year?
ecs3
January 27th, 2010
1:04 pm
The media hypes Tebow because guys of his caliber are a rarity these days. And it’s refreshing to see a positive role model for a change instead of the usual scandal of some celebrity. As for you haters of Christ and His followers, this is our country too and we aren’t going to hide what we are. Tebow isn’t ramming anything down anyone’s throat. Deal with it or go live somewhere like North Korea. Our ancestors died for our freedom to openly express our convictions. And if Tebow was a product of rape, it wouldn’t change who he is and he wouldn’t be advocating his own annihilation.
JT
January 27th, 2010
1:07 pm
Jeff, you media sluts are the ones who chase him around like a lost dog. This shouldnt even be a story. The people blasting him are people like you! How many fans are there in Mobile right now?? None, its you guys. You want the fans to give him a break, write a real story. Not this crap. Its only a story because you waste your time writing it!
bart
January 27th, 2010
1:08 pm
I hope the best for Tim Tebow. I think people dislike him because his holier than thou attitude. Maybe it’s not justified, I don’t know, but he dows seem awfully pleased with himself.
GaGator
January 27th, 2010
1:10 pm
Class of ‘98 said
Hey GaGator…
” I bet against Tebow in the SEC Championship game a few weeks ago.
That worked out pretty well for me.”
Well if you had done that for the past 4 years, you would have been BROKE, before
you won you little bet.
Preston
January 27th, 2010
1:12 pm
I don’t have anything against the guy. He is an incredible talent and I wish him well. I think most of the people lashing out are just sick of all the media attention he gets. It’s constantly Tebow this and Tebow that. Enough already. Go to the pros and sink or swim. I personally think he’ll swim… as a FB.
Preston
January 27th, 2010
1:14 pm
BTW, someone posted a link of his girlfriend in a bikini before the season started and if he’s really a virgin, he’s the second coming. WOW!
bballcoach
January 27th, 2010
1:15 pm
re “tebow being used” you people just do not get it.Just b/c you hav the microphone u think your right.wrong.People really do believe taking life while in the mothers womb is wrong/ that the consequence of sex may lead to pregnancy and with it-responsibility.That the lil unborn is innocent and not to be treated as disposable.Also,that unnatural affections by small groups of people are not to be coddled/ and specialty treated so as to be politically correct. Minorities are offended by this sexual choice being equated to our plight. Bottom line seems to be the same- when people take a stand for a cause like prolife, anti sodomy, or Christianity the “mikes” hate it. Take a look at america right now and see where we are and are headed-it is getting gloriously darker. You people do not care what is truly best but rather u r interested in marketing, pr, sound bytes, and what oprah thinks. Know this, Truth may divide but it also unites and your 30 yrs have taught you little about taking a stand no matter the cost. Just look at Tiger, Mark Mcgwire, raf Palmeiro, Jim Swaggert,vs Andy Pettitt, Kobe, and “the woman at the well”. As for being offended, we have become the most pitiful of people always getting offended. Overlook others opinions ,respect their right to a view, grow up to a full measure of an adult. I may dislike your stance but you don’t offend me. ONLY IN AMERICA CAN BEING OFFENDED GET YOU A CASH SETTLEMENT-SOOO MANY GAMESMEN IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM> TIM TEBOW is speaking his mind and on a big stage and I applaud him. The “mikes” will wait n see the way the wind of public opinion blows then jump on it. As for me and my house- we stand w/ him. GOOOOOOO Truth.
indianman
January 27th, 2010
1:15 pm
because he thimk he god almightly and think he better than in one in the world i can.t stand him
Brett
January 27th, 2010
1:15 pm
Yes, I am a Dawg fan. But regardless of my thoughts of Florida, I think Tebow is a fraud. I think anyone would look good if not great when a gimicky offense is built around the quarterback. Tebow spent half his college career having to take up the slack in their running game because UF didn’t have any backs (Harvin…a receiver…took up the rest).
An NFL team won’t build an offense to make Tebow look good…not like Meyer did. That went out with Vick. Plus, there a slew of defensive men that will be looking to bury him under any given yard line. I have two words for Tebow…Danny Wuerffel. Anyone remember his 1st NFL start as a Saint? Wuerffel’s hype came crashing down that day…and Tebow is in for a rude awakening.
Dog Fan Scott
January 27th, 2010
1:16 pm
As a die-hard Dawgs fan, I’m sick of hearing my fellow Dawg brethren rip Tebow. At the end of the day, he is and has been throughout his entire career, a tremendous athlete, a wonderful kid and a true role model for what I hope a student-athlete could be. I, for one, pray (no pun intended) that my two boys will grow up to be half of the man that Tim Tebow is and represents. I hate the Gators, but I dearly respect this young man, what he represents and how he has handled himself up to this point in his young life. This Dawg supports Tim Tebow regardless if he ever steps foot on to a NFL field…
Big Sack Dawg
January 27th, 2010
1:16 pm
Just me …….shut your yap boy………UGA fans don’t hate Tebow more that any other SEC fans outside the Florida variety. Although I hate Florida, I am a big Tebow fan. I very much admire that young man.
Dan the Nerd
January 27th, 2010
1:18 pm
To me, it seems like M Vick has more supporters than Tebow. I am very surprised by that. Some clown from the AJC even blogged that “the door is open for Vick in Minny”. What is there about Vicks game that Tebow lacks? They both have big, inaccurate arms and rely on thier feet too much. The one big difference is that Tebow really seems to lead his team. He just seems to be a natural leader.
GT
January 27th, 2010
1:22 pm
I guess if Tebow is as bad or average as everybody says Georgia loses again next year since there is no superman, just a damn good football team down there in Gainesville.
Freedom of Speech
January 27th, 2010
1:24 pm
Teebow has the right to display any message he wants and support any cause he wants. Don’t really get what it has to do with football, but……..I just wish some Muslim would display a passage from the Koran under their eyes and I’d like to see another commercial aired discussing abortion rights and its benefits, like saving the mother’s life.
I’m not Muslim or in favor of abortion, I just tire of seeing athletes, actors or anybody in the spotlight telling me what they believe in. Frankly, I couldn’t give a damn!
gdawginkalamazoo
January 27th, 2010
1:26 pm
Good luck to the kid. And sure, as a dog fan I was not suppose to like him. But I can respect him and what he has accomplished and how he leads his life. Now if he starts beating the Lions on a regular basis ….
Reid Adair
January 27th, 2010
1:26 pm
I haven’t understood the dislike, often bordering on sheer hatred, that people have for this young man. Whether they want to criticize his NFL potential, his personal faith or the Super Bowl commercial he’s doing, some of the things they say are simply disgusting.
Dawgs 2010
January 27th, 2010
1:27 pm
People seriously do need to leave him alone. He’s a great player and a good guy, and now that he’s no longer on Florida I wish him the best. Brandon Spikes, however, I will always root against and hope he bombs in the NFL.
Matt
January 27th, 2010
1:27 pm
Hypothetical here…….What if Tebow was Jewish, Muslim or Atheist, would you have a problem with him stating his beliefs? The reason that people don’t see a problem with his position is because they agree with what he says (and I’ve learned that after moving to the Bible belt that a majority of you do). I just can’t imagine if he had Muslim or Jewish messages on his face during games that you Bible thumpers wouldn’t have a problem with it.
NoleRick
January 27th, 2010
1:28 pm
FSU grad here, I agree he is taking alot of heat. I hope he does well in the NFL (unless he is playing the Falcons). The whole abortion thing is being blown way out of proprortune. If they have the money to pay for the spot, and CBS approved the ad, I believe its still a free country.
Bammer
January 27th, 2010
1:29 pm
Tebow is a great player, just not good enough to beat Bama! Hope he’s good in the NFL. And yes dawgs 2010, hopefully Spikes sucks in the NFL, if he eye gouges in the NFL, those guys will kill him. haha.