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
PHIL
January 27th, 2010
7:23 pm
Oh, and Jeff….you went to school somewhere? Really?
a sad day
January 27th, 2010
7:38 pm
we are talkng about religion on a sports blog. next tim will tell us how we should live our lives during the super bowl, then every sunday, then on billboards as we drive down the highway….. We should listen to tim, he was a great college football player. But at least if does not do well in the NFL,GOD HATES HIM!
Georgia didn't win the East in 07'
January 27th, 2010
7:38 pm
“Didn’t UGA finished ranked 2nd just a couple of seasons ago? I’d say that’s pretty close…..”
Nope not close at all, in fact that could have been the largest gap between #1 and #2 in the whole history of college football considering the #2 Dawgs didn’t even win their own division that year, didn’t play in the SEC Title Game obviously, and then played a disguised cupcake in the Sugar Bowl.
D(r)ooley
January 27th, 2010
7:40 pm
Tim Tebow = 2 National Titles
Head Coach Mark Richt – 0 National Titles or Appearances
Tom
January 27th, 2010
7:43 pm
Bang on tebow and this is the kind of garbage uga produces.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/uga/former-uga-lineman-chris-284972.html
Rodney Dangerfield
January 27th, 2010
7:52 pm
I will take Tim Tebow over someone say…. like Quincy Carter any day of the week, unless I want to score some premo coke if you know what I mean.
Otis the drunk
January 27th, 2010
7:56 pm
We hate tebow because he is a cry baby and his moma dresses him funny
Otis the drunk
January 27th, 2010
7:58 pm
Hey heart of darkness, Joseph Conrad wants his title back
UF 93 no Gator
January 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
uf93—georgia or fsu poser–no Gator fan—making up stuff about earning all that money, while trashing Tebow—typical of the trash that comes out of georgia and florida state!!!
Minnesota Dawg
January 27th, 2010
8:02 pm
I agree with you Jeff! I wish Minnesota would draft him. We could have a tough quarterback that could pass and run and dish out some punishment on some defenders. Why can’t we develope a gladiator type quarterback that can take the punishment like a running back and dish it out at the same time? That would be a new concept! Too bad Bret Farve wasn’t big like Tebow. Can you imagine the fear in defenses?
Little Feet
January 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
Tebow is making a stand during the superbowl. If he goes pro, and then returns to the superbowl with this legacy, it will make for excruciating television.
It will be the women vs the men. Men are against it, but for the superbowl. Women are for it, but against football.
The battle of the sexes is about to get ugly.
Former Georgian
January 27th, 2010
8:22 pm
I was really glad this was Tebow’s last year at Florida. I’ve hated Florida as long as I can remember, but it was hard to pull against them with Tebow there(except during the Georgia game). I can’t help but think that some of his detractors find it hard to stomach his consistent Christian lifestyle and testimony.
MartyDawg
January 27th, 2010
8:41 pm
Whatever, his college career is over and he’s off to succeed or fail in the pros. Time to see if this offense can be a success without a ram rod of a quarterback.
BIOMASS
January 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
Jacksonville will be a good fit for Tebow. They had a Christian mafia going during the Brunnel years. It will be interesting to see if the NFL stops him from wearing the Bible verse eye black.
Personally, I see a very immature young man that has been spoon fed so much dogma it’s pouring out his ears.
Christian Mafia
January 27th, 2010
8:57 pm
Hey Biomass,
What exactly did this “Christian Mafia” do during the Brunnel years? Did they pick up people in the middle of the night and force them to endure a 1 hour church sermon?
Tim Tebow has been spoon fed all this “dogma”. If you consider the Bible, upon which all modern Judeo-Christian law was initially based to be “dogma” then so be it. I always thought it was Maoism, Lenininism, Stalinism, fascism, I always thought that was “dogma”. Apparently the real threat to society is bible verses. I guess bible verses are responsible for a lot of the crime like murder, rape, robbery,etc. Must be all that “dogma” from that evil ole Bible.
Tebow fan
January 27th, 2010
9:02 pm
Makes me sick that there is so much hate for a man who believes in God and tries to live a good, wholesome life. In this twisted world we see all these bloggers finding reason to hate a man because he’s not ashamed of his beliefs. I don’t know how else to say it except that you really have to have a twisted mind to hate the guy because he professes his belief in God. If you’re gonna hate someone hate them cause they murder, rape, molest children, don’t hate someone who does no harm to to you and whose only “crime” is to publicly profess his belief in God.
BIOMASS
January 27th, 2010
9:05 pm
Christian Mafia, they dominated the team. They made it uncomfortable for players that just wanted to play the game, not pray all the time. The NFL investigated the situation. It’s a matter of record.
Look up dogma in the dictionary if you’re having problems with the definition. I didn’t invent the word.
What’s his next commercial? Dinosaurs are 4,000 years old?
Chris
January 27th, 2010
9:13 pm
Tebow fan wrote, “In this twisted world we see all these bloggers finding reason to hate a man because he’s not ashamed of his beliefs.”
Actually, Tebow should be ashamed of his beliefs. He runs with a crowd who confuses mistranslations and metaphors with literal truth. No, the earth isn’t a few thousand years old, and no Adam and Even didn’t walk the earth among dinosaurs. One can still be a Christian without wallowing in one’s ignorance. The Tebow/Focus on the Family crowd chooses to wallow. That’s their right. But some of us don’t want to listen to them spreading their nonsensical interpretation while sitting down to enjoy a football game.
Neu
January 27th, 2010
9:22 pm
Enter your comments here
Observor
January 27th, 2010
9:30 pm
Chris,
I agree with you that the earth is not 6,000 years old and that people and dinosaurs lived at the same time. To me its just not possible. However, I don’t ridicule some of these people for believing it. For all you know they may in fact be right. I’ve debated this with several of these folks who do believe this and believe it or not some of them are indeed rational, intelligent people. And while I disagree with them there is some actual reasoning and some science that does support some of what they contend. And no. Not you or anyone else for that matter can conclusively prove who old the earth is. I’m in the 2- 4 billion years crowd but how do you really know its not only 100 million years old? Or 10 million?
I don’t think you can condemn them as being ignorant simply because you disagree with their interpretation. The mark of intelligent thought is to be able to entertain different ideas without accepting or denying them right off.
fanfromathens
January 27th, 2010
9:35 pm
OK, I’m not rooting against him. I hope he does well in the NFL.
That being said, when you pose for for the camera in an empty stadium, reading the bible with full football gear on, you’re asking to be ridiculed.
Rooted against in life, no. Mocked relentlessly, yes.
South GA Reader
January 27th, 2010
9:37 pm
Now, I cannot really believe that Tim Tebow was out on the field practicing this week for the North/South game with a 105 temperature. That is really stupid. Most people with that temp would be hospitalized, especially an adult like Tebow. Also, you can have brain damage at 106. Someone needs to stop him when he becomes dangerous to himself.
discontent with Tebow?
January 27th, 2010
9:38 pm
Most likely for his Faith in Jesus Christ and his upcoming commercial having to do with the Abortion issue during the Super Bowl…at least he believes in something…people will be people……..God loves everyone and gives each person an invitation……….that is Tebow’s message…ashame people scrutinize him and consider his faith a detriment to football performance after 2 ntional titles and great warrior like leadership….course he could never even play back up qb for the mighty falcons…yeah right..lol
South GA Reader
January 27th, 2010
9:42 pm
P.S. I don’t think it’s really Tebow people don’t like. It was the way Urban Meyer acted around him. Strange sometimes — more so, frequently.
BIOMASS
January 27th, 2010
9:44 pm
Observer, anyone that contends the Earth is a few thousand years old is not intelligent. If you are not smart enough to understand carbon dating, radioactive isotopes, radioactive half-lives, or are scared of science in general, then have at it. Enjoy your life in darkness, but don’t impose it on others.
I hope you’re not birthing 5+ litters like the Tebows.
Call It Like It Is
January 27th, 2010
10:27 pm
Hey Dan,
What about the narrow minded alcohol commericals and the constant sex in advertising? Notice there is no uproar of that?
Tebow = Class and the last time I looked we still have freedom of speech.
Enough Said!
Yellow Fuzz84
January 27th, 2010
10:29 pm
Jeff – who do you love more? Coach Paul Johnson (CPJ) or Coach Urban Meyer (CUM)?
RomeDawg
January 27th, 2010
10:36 pm
I am a HUGE Tebow fan and wish him the best. He made the SEC look great while playing at Florida. I am not sure how anyone can not like the kid. I do think his struggles are an indication of lack of fundamental coaching by his position coach at Florida. When some of these high school kids are being recruited they need to think about how that “gimmick” offense will prepare them for the NFL, if being in the NFL is their goal. I am sure none of Paul Johnson’s linemen, QB’s or WR (after Thomas, whom he didn’t recruit) come to Tech thinking about the NFL.
JOEinPHX
January 27th, 2010
10:41 pm
Yo ALEX -
What offends me is ignorance. It’s just your bad luck that religion – all religion – is a subset.
Archbishop Of Canterbury
January 27th, 2010
10:43 pm
Florida’s idea of being way down is probably significantly different from Georgia’s idea of being way down. Georgia has been way down since:
Reagan Administration
Soviet Union Not Dissolved
Berlin Wall Still Standing
W Was Not Yet Governor of Texas
Clemens Was Not even a Rookie
Marino Was Still At Pitt
Riggins Was Still Playing
Who’s Bill Clinton?
Iranian Hostage Crisis Still Fresh In Our Minds
Little Over A Decade From 1St Moon Walk
No Canseco No McGuire No Sosa
Billy Carter Still With Us
Years From Internet and Cell Phones
And On And On And On
And YET we must listen to Georgia fans saying Florida will be “Down”, you are probably right, because 2 losses is down for Florida and for Georgia 2 losses would be reason to farther tout Richt as Bear Bryant.
Jeff Schultz
January 27th, 2010
11:13 pm
Heart of Darkness — You rock. You might have the comment of the year.
To some of the rest of you, this commenting has taken a pathetic turn. I’ve deleted dozens and banned a few more people who should know better. Stop now the abortion and religion banter now or I will close this.
Thanks, Jeff
touchstone
January 28th, 2010
12:23 am
It’s sad but no surprise that there are so many who dislike or hate Tebow because of his faith. Many of the comments here only show that the more we act like Jesus, the more likely we are to be treated like He was. If they mocked and crucified the only perfect One to walk the earth why would any of us (who are far from perfect) expect anything less? Keep walking in those nail scarred footsteps, Tim. They may lead you to a cross but they will also lead you to a glory far greater than Heisman trophies and national championships.
SuperB
January 28th, 2010
12:26 am
Amen to Tebow. I am a die-hard Dawg, but the truth is– Tebow was a great college player. I do think the rose will fade in time. He will be remembered as a great player– but not in the same conversation with the immortals.
tim tebow
January 28th, 2010
12:44 am
you better stop make making fun of me or i will cry
AUTiger
January 28th, 2010
12:59 am
Tebow is ridiculed simply because of what collegeballfan, jealousy, and because he stands up for what he believes.
I’ve never actually heard a UGA fan say anything bad about him, but I live in North Alabama and all we have are Auburn and Alabama fans. I know Alabama fans hate him because he went to Florida instead. Alabama fans(that didn’t graduate from there) are pretty much all classless in my experience. I mean, it’s been about a month and a half since the SEC Championship, and they’re still going on about how he cried. It’s amazing how they can make fun of him for losing that big of a game and crying, but they don’t say anything when Auburn beats them for the fourth time in a row and all of their seniors cry(note that’s not even technically a bowl game).
Anywho, I know Atheists who hate Tebow simply because he’s a Christian and makes Christianity “look good.”
My entire family LOVE Tebow, and wish him success in everything! : )
TheAntiMe
January 28th, 2010
1:17 am
Tim Tebow is an attention whore. Even if the bulk of that attention is negative, he still loves being the center of attention.
Iraq Dawg.... Go Army.... Hooah
January 28th, 2010
1:43 am
Jeff you cause this on yourself. All you had to do was mention “Tebow”
And for the Bama hillbillys that are running their mouth let me remind you that you live in one of the worst irrelavent states in America. You guys all move to Atlanta. Saban will be surfing out of there in a couple years and then you will go back to being second to Auburn.
As for Tebow, We are talking about X’s and O’s not christianity and baptistism. Tebow better develop some thick skin cause that’s what he gonna get is a bunch of critics. I love the Lord too but you cant pull the wool over my eyes. Being a strong christian doesnt cover up for his lack of football fundamentals. Tebow will always be a class act and a true role model. But he still remains and always will be a Gator. I guess I will learn to like him at some point in his career like Peyton Manning who I couldn’t stand at first.
Halsey
January 28th, 2010
2:13 am
Obviously nobody cares about Tim Tebow. This blog entry has only drawn a few gazillion replys. Why does the media keep talking about him?
Tweets that mention Everybody needs to just back off Tim Tebow | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
January 28th, 2010
2:16 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Brent Holloway, TWEET_WORKOUT, Daniel Arlt, Lance Burson, Jeff Schultz and others. Jeff Schultz said: Everybody needs to just back off Tim Tebow: Tim Tebow will go down as one of the greatest college football players… http://bit.ly/aOpxbI [...]
Capitalist
January 28th, 2010
5:06 am
Tebow is being used..
January 27th, 2010
10:46 am
“The organization that is sponsering Tebow’s Ad is one of the most right-wing political organizations in America. They were the largest contributor in America to anti-gay rights organizations. In California they contributed more money againt (Prop 8 it think that established legal rights for Gay/Lesb) than any organization including the Morman church. They are a modern day Moral Majority.”
WRONG!!!
Focus on the Family is a christian organization that supports, defends and instructs Christians and other interested people in developing strong bible based families. They are not a political organization. The Jewish bible and the Christian bible say the same thing because they are the same. That is: Homosexuality is an “abomination before God”. This IS a private matter as long as it stays private. But when this is brought into the public arena with proposed legislation, and because that this is a government of, by, and for the people, then Christians cannot stay silent, because they are then responsible before God for supporting sin. In regard to Tebows Pro-Life and Pro-Family commercial, That same bible states “Tho Shalt do no murder”. Once again because it is in the public arena, it is appropriate to denounce abortion in public.
Tim Tebow is not being used. He is practicing his faith. And, because the US Supreme Court in 1879 held that you “could not separate Christianity from the government because the country was founded on Christianity”, it is appropriate to speak of your faith in a public forum.
Old Gator
January 28th, 2010
6:01 am
I have watched several of the practices and have seen him complete some great long passes, then read in the paper how bad he is. I just wonder if he had gone to Ga. instead of Florida IF he would have been as bad? Sometimes we take school spirit too far.
Flatsdawg1
January 28th, 2010
7:26 am
I believe he will be a state lawmaker in a few years. He will make it as a backup qb for two or three years,at which time his ego will get the best of him and he’ll set his sights on a political career. He could be a fullback or tight end for a long time but the ego will guide him .
angry john
January 28th, 2010
8:25 am
I think the reason he’s getting such hate is that he is a Christian and not afraid to show it. Is he perfect, no. Is he a great qb ? yes , but at the college and high school level. I think with all his “intangibles” he deserves a shot, he raises the game of all the players on his team. and for all of those who doubt me, look at all the seniors that came back because tebow did, they could’ve been drafted last year. he is a feel good story and draws ratings , ratings , ratings and until he fails all sports media will continue to cover him heavily.
ko w/me
January 28th, 2010
8:35 am
jeff- truth really upsets folks. there r hecklers from the hedges who pop off thru the the cloak of darkness and the moment a young man expresses light/truth “they” hate it…it is convicting and upsets the selfish lifestyles we live. namecalling and ridicule show up so as to prop us up and put them/Tim down.we all seem too quik to speak n criticize and much less likely to believe someone may be genuine.skeptics b/c we r let down alot by those we hold up i think.the pressures of life also may bring out an edge fr some of us.on a side note , i like to think we r also forgiving. I hope things have turned around for mike vick. thats all i have to say. thank you.
alexnfenix
January 28th, 2010
8:47 am
yo jo- goo-zoo-you…i almost believe.nawwwwwww. no matter how long i stand in the grocery, my dinner will not get made w/o a chef. Tebow is doing what so many should of and could have done but did not-speak his mind no matter the response. gooooooo Tebow. It doesn’t go over so well w/ media hounds b/c they r 90% liberal. Jeff- thanks for th writeup.
Minnesota Dawg
January 28th, 2010
9:32 am
Abortion is the altar of sacrifice for the religion of the Secular Humansists! You jeoparize that supposed “right” and you will get hell to pay from them!!!! Since when does killing a baby in the womb not become murder??? Let’s admit, it’s killing!!! Tebow is an example of what we should be encouraging every woman who is considering abortion. Instead, we have people like BIOMASS who believe we evolved and are not responsible to a creator. Look at what has happened to our society since we accepted the “theory” of evolution in our schools –murder rates up, abortion, infanticide, euthanasia. For crying out loud, we get more upset over Michael Vick for killing dogs than we do for the thousands of children killed everyday in abortion clinics. It’s suddenly a right if it’s a child, but not a right when it’s an animal!! The bottom line is that people don’t want to yield to God who is higher than them. They instead make their own God that they want to yield to. Their morality dictates their philosophy! I say, Go Tebow and don’t listen to the naysayers.
Key West Gator
January 28th, 2010
9:36 am
Tebow: greatest college player of all time—no comparison.
GaGator
January 28th, 2010
9:51 am
UF ‘93
” I went to Columbia Law School and am a partner in a major Chicago firm, so not only am I smarter than Timmuh, but I’ll most likely have far greater lifetime earnings than him.”
Well now, this explains everything you have said. Looks like you are an Obama following elitists. Going to a socialist, Marxist, fascist University will certainly warp
even the brightest mind. Then you head to Chicago to be in Thug city, where the mob and union bosses can hire you to beat the rap. There isn’t enough money in the world for me to want to be in your shoes. Now go home and count all your money you pathetic liberal.
Thomas Freeman
January 28th, 2010
10:59 am
Hey Schultz-
The reason we are tired of Tebow is the media overkill. Everyone from ESPN to, well, you apparently, go on and on about how wonderful it is to bathe in his golden showers and can’t understand why some of us would rather not follow suit. He’s just a football player; he is not important or special, nor are his beliefs. We just don’t care and are tired of being told that we should.
Thomas Freeman
January 28th, 2010
11:12 am
and – it riles some of us up whenever the media jumps on and overreacts to the next “great white hope” in any sport. Of course all the white middle-age journalist love Tebow – a good, white, Christian kid that they all wish was their son. It’s pedantic and makes for lazy journalism to fall in love with this image and tailor all subsequent articles/reports around it.