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?
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466 comments Add your comment
James Adams
January 27th, 2010
2:41 pm
He does it for free pub. The guy is going for politics in 5 years. You’ll see.
MisterT
January 27th, 2010
2:42 pm
I don’t get it either that dawg fans seemingly root against Tebow. I do note that there are more than the usual number of mature dawg fans that are coming out on this blog. It still not enough to redeem the dawg nation.
I don’t pull against Stafford in the NFL because he was/is a dawg. Maybe it is because he is throwing to CJ, but I don’t think so.
I will continue to pull for Tebow. I think if he ends up changing positions he would still be successful. That might even be more impressive.
Best of luck to Tebow…and for that matter the uga entrants into the NFL.
But still…
THWg!
Freedom of Speech
January 27th, 2010
2:47 pm
Speaking of doing good……How about those college girls, who past up partying with their friends, to go help the orphanages and the poor in Haiti. You probably wouldn’t have heard anything about it, if you didn’t watch the news regularly. The benefit they got out of their generosity is being probably dead under tons of rubble in Port-au-Prince. Unfortunately, they weren’t famous football players, so they could get national exposure on ESPN while doing their charity work. If only they were friends of Teebow’s, they might have gotten at least a commercial during the Super Bowl about it.
joe friday
January 27th, 2010
2:48 pm
Jeff- really enjoyed the banter today that your post initiated. I was off w/ that cold thingy. Give my regards to the “new” news media that creates stories rather than “dragnets” em…”just the facts ma’m just the facts”. I am out.
ps answer to the Tebow question is -you guys cause it, you guys in media.keep up the work.
secondguesser
January 27th, 2010
2:50 pm
Bama 1, did his crying this year remind you of the tears you guys shed the year before? Tim will endure and overcome whether he makes it in the NFL or not. Some of you folks don’t like him, so what? I would love to see these tough rival fans(the haters) line up against him. That would be much funnier than it was watching him truck their favorite players like he did the last four years! Rock on Tim! I read where even the local yocal bama fans were cheering louder for him than Saban yesterday! The fun with Tebow is just starting! If you haters thought you were sick of hearing about him before, you probably will see him exponentially more for the next oh…….. te………………………………no wait………..say your lifetime!!!!!
John
January 27th, 2010
2:50 pm
As a Dawg, I don’t think his status as a great player is hard to stomach. He earned it. You can’t take anything he accomplished away from him and say it was because of the defense, or his WR’s. The guy is a winner and he got it done. Thank God he’s gone and best of luck to him in his next venture.
COUNT DOWN TO THE DRAFT
January 27th, 2010
2:51 pm
I wonder if Tebow is on the falcons draft board anywhere ? would they take him if he is still around in the 5th or later ? Longsnappers and holders are very important he could learn either talent Im sure
dawggirl
January 27th, 2010
2:52 pm
Hmm, my post mysteriously vanished. I’ll try and recreate the gist.
Sorry Jeff, I don’t have to “back off” anything. If we truly live in a free country, we have the right to feel however we do. Personally, I’m simply sick of St. Timmy never doing anything wrong, being oh-so-holier-than-thou, and the media licking it up like ice cream and candy.
I will try to keep my thoughts on the Superbowl ad out of the discussion, but suffice it to say, my opinion of him went even lower when he aligned himself with such a homophobic organization that lacks integrity.
Back to St. Timmy, the football player. The fact that he was never called on his excessive celebrations was just gross. How much do we have to deify a player? Newsflash: he’s NOT god. Or Superman, contrary to popular belief. His stats are over-inflated with throwing so much from the 2 yard line to the end zone.
Do I think he’ll have success in the NFL? Not nearly as much success as he’s had in college. I haven’t followed the Senior Bowl, or any of the follow-up, but why shouldn’t he be criticized if he played poorly? Is he above critcism now?
Excuse me while I regurgitate.
UT Fan
January 27th, 2010
2:52 pm
ratherBgambling
If UT fans know so much about a “fraud and punk”, why so gidding about LK last year?
Not all of us UT fans were quite so blinded by Kiffin’s antics and foolishness.
James Adams
January 27th, 2010
2:56 pm
I love your beer, Sam, thank you.
James Adams
January 27th, 2010
2:56 pm
I love you, dawggirl.
michael corleone
January 27th, 2010
2:56 pm
it is appointed unto man once to die then their judgement.it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living GOD.
for by Grace r you saved thru faith but that not of yourself -it is the gift of GOD so no man may boast.A lil Biblical Truth,since you r a freedom of speech advocate, first amendment-right???
Halsey
January 27th, 2010
2:57 pm
It seems like a lot of super famous athletes have thier fair share of ‘haters’, deserved or not: Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Kobe Bryant, etc all have them.
DirtyDawgDaze
January 27th, 2010
2:57 pm
He does have a bit of a lisp. I always thought that was because of his propensity for pillow biting.
kevin
January 27th, 2010
2:57 pm
So Tim tebow had bad practice big deal i know some bad and when pick for Pro was Pro bowl player n greatness…..he be find as drafted by Redskins next season starter……he could be a another john elway are bobby douglas who knows…..only way is draft n play in real game!
John
January 27th, 2010
2:57 pm
First year Peyton played in the pros, I went to the Colts vs the Falcons just so I could finally see my team beat Manning (what does that say about how far that franchise has come). Now, as much as it pains me to say, I really love watching Peyton play and have no reason to root against him unless he is playing the Falcons. Manning is a class act and stupendous player.
Same goes for Tebow. I have no reason to root against a guy who has done everything right. Just because he beat my teams in college? Please. Maybe he makes it maybe he doesn’t, but I wouldn’t bet against him. He’ll find something else to be successful at if he doesn’t. He could have skipped this game, but he has passion for the game and just wants to play ball. We should wish all our recruits felt that way.
extremerighwing
January 27th, 2010
2:57 pm
Amazing the grief folks are giving Tebow. You would think the National Felons League would want someone they could hold up as a role model instead of trying to build the league image around Vick.
We need more folks with Tebow’s mindset. Now we just have to get the kid an arm so he can play QB at the next level.
COUNT DOWN TO THE DRAFT
January 27th, 2010
2:59 pm
dont forget roy hobbs he had haters too
mike
January 27th, 2010
3:00 pm
Actually I always thought people were entitled to like who they want to like. When does some jerkweed writing a supposedly sports column dictate to folks who they can like or what they can say about an athlete. BTW both t-Bob and momma-Bob need to keep their opinions to themselves about abortion. It is legal and is an individual choice. How about these two clowns commenting on that sect in Texas and Idaho who allow grown men to marry teenage girls. That has been going on for years and no one has done anything about it.
William
January 27th, 2010
3:03 pm
If Tebow was a pro-abortion anti-religion progressive liberal we would not be having this conversation. Progressive liberals must not succeed!
JASon
January 27th, 2010
3:03 pm
Hmmmm…Matt chernoff was just saying this exact same thing on the radio. Do you care about your profession at all? or is someone else telling you what to say in your columns?
Halsey
January 27th, 2010
3:05 pm
mike, you’re right. People are entitled to like and dislike what they want. And people are also allowed to discuss why other people like and dislike things. Think before you type.
big g dawg
January 27th, 2010
3:07 pm
I graduated from UGA and have nothing but the highest respect for Tim Tebow as a football player but more so as a man who stands firm on his beliefs. I despise the Gators as much as any Dog fan but anyone that doesn’t want the best for this guy is only showing ignorance. As the father of two young boys I can only hope that they would choose Tim Tebow to be their sports hero. With all of the spoiled, overpaid, over pampered, under performing, gun carrying, baby daddy, cheating athletes we read about daily, why wouldn’t everyone want to this exceptional young man to succeed? Best of luck Tim, this family of Dawgs is rooting for you!
Halsey
January 27th, 2010
3:11 pm
William, there’s no such thing as pro-abortion. That’s a false representation of people who are pro-choice. Nobody wants abortions to happen, but that doesn’t make it the goverment’s right to force a woman to have a child she doesn’t want. It is true however to refer to people like you as anti-choice. You want to dictate to other people what they can do with thheir bodies and you will continue to waste time, energy and tax dollars to fight that losing battle. Al the money being paid to air an anti-choice add could be used to buy food for a lot of starving children.
Freedom of Speech
January 27th, 2010
3:11 pm
I don’t begrudge Teebow for his right to communicate his beliefs. Everybody has that right. Just as everybody has the right of freedom of “reply”.
As far as a football fan, Teebow is one of the best college players I’ve ever seen (up there with Hersel and Bo Jackson). Unfortunately, my feeling about him as a player is less because of his outshowing of his religion and beliefs. But, the only “grief” i would give Teebow, is go on a beer break and skip his commercial or change the channel when you see him without his helmet.
If attention is not what Teebow is after, why not wear his Bible verse on his chest under his jersey? The same message is there and obviously God will know that he reflected his true beliefs. The supporters of his public display are likely the same people who chastised Roddy White and others regarding the “Free Michael Vick shirt” they wore during the game…Where’s the difference? And, no I’m not a Michael Vick supporter..I prefer Ryan…I didn’t like the Vick message and I don’t like the Bible verse display either.
michael corleone
January 27th, 2010
3:12 pm
hey mike ,eat your cereal. it was legal to have sub 500 credit index and buy a house- figured that out yet… not a good idea. You wern’t aborted and neither were the guys in black robes that did irrepparable damage to our country… you think about 50 million more folks may help out w/ their buying power right about now? ignorance is dangerous . i do agree that you have a right to your opinion but i invoke that same right somewhat when it is against the helpless or forces me to pay for the “legal” wrongful acts of the powerful. responsibility and rights NOT rights over responsibility. kapeesh
Not a football fan
January 27th, 2010
3:12 pm
The only thing I want to point out here is the fact that this commercial is about FAMILY and the choice Tebow’s mother made regarding his life. How is that offensive? I bet if it was a commercial showing a gay/lesbian family nobody would say a word because by gosh we do not want to offend anyone. WHATEVER
mrk
January 27th, 2010
3:13 pm
He’s being grilled by the media. A bunch of people who’ve never done anything their whole life, without a pencil in their hand (no offense Jeff). Most people who know anything about football think the guy will be productive in the NFL, quarterback -maybe/maybe not, but he’s a winner, a worker, and a team player. He will contribute.
indianman
January 27th, 2010
3:14 pm
geez i know my english you are that got learn english you stuiped nut
Halsey
January 27th, 2010
3:17 pm
The ad is offensive because it’s costing millions of dollars to push the losing battle of the anti-choice zealots. That money could feed a lot of starving children. But hey, why listen to reason. Keep wasting time, energy and money on a losing fight for goverment control of people’s bodies.
Hal
January 27th, 2010
3:18 pm
Football is not the end all for Tebow. He is much much more and has what it takes to be successful in just about any line of work he wants to persue.
myra
January 27th, 2010
3:19 pm
Love Tebow-Hate Gators. Ok commercial -BUT NOT ON SUPERBOWL!!!
JTATL
January 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
Backoff little Timmy unless you want to praise him, otherwise Jeffy thinks you should leave him alone. Now that he is out in the real world trying to earn a living, Timmy better develop some thick skin, because the criticsm will come fast & often.
Why back off of Tebow?
January 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
Tebow annoys me with his chapter-and-verse cheek patches. Why can’t he keep his delusions to himself? Do I get in his face about atheism? Don’t we hear enough about the alleged ‘Wonders Of God’ as it is? If Tebow wants to live in a theocracy, he can move to Iran.
Sean
January 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
suwanneedawg- he is a great leader, on and off the field, and im glad God’s child used his publicity to expand God’s kingdom. The media makes everyone hate him as a player… Im a Dawg fan, but think if FL had Josh Nesbitt running that offense, WOW!!
Brad
January 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
Jeff…whats so hard about understanding some people don’t like the guy just because they don’t like him. I didn’t like his crying to the press after losing last year “I’m gonna try sooooo hard”
I don’t like his sprinting down the sidelines at the end of games waving his little towel.
Don’t like his eye black with Bible verses on them. I’m at a football game Timmy..not church.
Don’t like the fact he was a stinkin’, jean short wearin’ Gator.
Rufus
January 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
Tebow will play in the NFL but probably at RB or TE. We definitely need more people of his character in professional sports. I don’t believe he’s the type to go into a night club with a pistol and shoot himself or anybody else for that matter.
red hill
January 27th, 2010
3:25 pm
I thought he said several years ago that he would not play in the NFL, that it would get in the way of his mission work. At any rate, I hope he plays a lot in the NFL. I hope he is a starter and very early in his career. I’m pulling for this to happen.
Rufus
January 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
“Pro-choice?” A euphemism for “Pro-abortion.”
Dawggy
January 27th, 2010
3:27 pm
GaGator,
I will give you all the money in the world if Heblow is a 1st round draft pick. You are a stupid clown if you think that. Also, Percey Harvin was not the Rookie of the Year…he was the OFFENSIVE Rookie of the year and he was not a first team All-Pro. Must be some of that smelly Gainesville rumor Koolaid you are drinking!!
Hershel is my hero
January 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
I think the media’s double standard toward religion is what really irks people. The same broadcasters that think it is cool for Tebow to advertise bible verses, are the sameones who go into apoplexy over prayer before the start of a game.
I do have a question–does anyone on this blog think Tebow is having sex with his girlfriend? Has anyone asked him? If he is, how does that square with his overt christan personae?
18bullitt
January 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
I think i like Tebow now that i heard fr halsey -mike, mike,- halsey is too hard on you.When a women has the right to have relations w/whomever and how ever often and w/ nooo considerations… then becomes pregnant… common sense says she also has no responsibility to that life but rather the right to abort the child…I mean, its all about her and her rights-right.why should the life of the child be protected especially if it interferes or is unwanted at the time.Thats not fair to the women . why hold her accountable when abortion is legal.Responsibility plays no part here. besides the pain of abortion tho immediate and cruel to the lil one plus the pain down the road to an ever maturing woman is small compared to the rights of the individuals involved. Its our fast food society… don’t tell me the truth or i will be upset and hate you. I will eat as i please BUT when i get good and fat and miserable i’ll want to know why you did not tell me.I think i like Tim Tebow now. yes i do.yeah
White Knight
January 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
Its because Tebow is intelligent……because he speaks clearly with proper English…..because he is not a THUG……because he is a strong Christian and is not afraid to admit it…..because he comes from a good strong family…..because he has ethics and morals……because he does what is right not what is popular. Tim Tebow is a stellar example of a good human being who only wants to help others. I hope he makes it in the NFL with a huge payday. His money will be used to help others not be wasted on baby-mammas and BS. Thats why people want to see Tim Tebow fail. Sorry….he is already a winner!
Pago Flyer
January 27th, 2010
3:31 pm
So who cares if the greatest college qb doesn’t make it in the NFL. He took care of things while at FL.
Bobbie Haggard
January 27th, 2010
3:31 pm
I think Tim Tebow is one of the finest young men I’ve ever seen. Not only is he an unbelievable athlete, he’s a phenomenal young man. I believe the reason people are so tough on him is because he stands up for what he believes in. Not many young people will do that today. My blood flows Tennessee orange but it gives me courage in the future to find a young man who not only “talks the talk” but “walks the walk.” Credit has to go to the adults in his life – his parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, etc. too.
Alabama Jack
January 27th, 2010
3:31 pm
If an irrelevant dawg attempts to think, does it really count? Probably not.
JOEinPHX
January 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
Sadly, only about 8% of the people in this country have brains that operate at a high enough level to understand that God doesn’t exist. We’re all sick of having John 3:16 and the rest of that drivel shoved in our faces, and when it comes in the form of eye-black patches, it’s just that much more revolting. Of course, that only accounts for a small percentage of the Tebow-hate, but it’s all the reason I need.
JeanShorts
January 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
Gag!!!! Enough with the love fest already!
Steve
January 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
Jeff, you can’t be serious about “backing off,” can you? The second this guy alligned himself with Focus on the Family, one of the premier hate groups in the country, he opened himself up to people blatantly hoping he fails.
I was a bit sick of him before that, but I wasn’t wishing him ill in his NFL career. After this? I certainly am.
athensdawg
January 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
wow.
Schultzie does it again.
Its pretty slow in the sports world right now.
Lets write a Tim Tebow article.
That will get a lot of viewers on my blog = revenue for AJC.
bottom line…..
WHO CARES!