Tebow’s Time Out: Star Quarterback’s Pregame Ritual
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Image Credit: Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images
Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has been preparing all week for the biggest football game of his life. Working out, practicing throws, reviewing plays, all to get ready to face off against Tom Brady and the formidable New England Patriots for a spot in the AFC Championship game.
But just before he takes the field Saturday night in Foxborough, Mass., Tebow will take a step out of the limelight and let his mind wander from football for a moment, all to spend a few private moments with a young man whom he has never met, Zack McLeod of Cambridge. Like Tebow, McLeod, 20, was also a football player, playing in high school before suffering a devastating in-game brain injury three years ago.
Tebow, 24, plans to meet with McLeod before the game to talk, hangout, and even throw a few passes. “I think Zach is going to be really stoked,” Pat McLeod, Zach’s father, said. ”He’ll hug him and give him a high five.”
Such a scenario is typical of Tebow, who enjoys brightening up the lives of young people stricken with serious illnesses; people like Adam Hubbs, a teenager with a rare life-threatening blood disorder who was partially paralyzed by a stroke. Tebow surprised him with a visit last summer in Florida, stopping by to throw a few balls in Adam’s back yard.
Tebow receives a great deal of praise for his on-the-field accomplishments, accomplishments such as his 80-yard overtime touchdown pass that catapulted the Denver Bronco’s over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. But it’s his off-the-field actions that show a different side of Tebow.
“I think it really puts things in perspective, the stress and the pressure of playing this game,” Tebow said. “It just puts it in perspective of, hey, this is more important than what I am doing right now.”
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I had to change the channel after hearing Diane announce the story on this attention grabbing sports clown who has made a name for himself like the Kardashians, with a GIMMICK! It’s not called the “tebow” it’s called PRAYING!
Posted by: Maria Rios | January 13, 2012, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm
If you change the channel, then you missed a story that would have shown you that this guy is way more than show. Tim Tebow didn’t ask for all of the negative press. He just sticks to what he believes- and he isn’t the first one to do so. However, his work with the handicapped is something that is not well known and made a huge impression on my wife and I. What a person does behind closed doors says a lot about them. I don’t think anyone who knows this man can attack his character or motives.
Posted by: Jim Zarbaugh | January 13, 2012, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
Say what you want about this guy but he is a class act and he deserves more respect than he gets.
Posted by: Johnny | January 13, 2012, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
Many college and pro athletes abuse drugs, assault women, run over police officers, have illegitimate children, are narcissists and self-absorbed, are addicted to gambling, bankrupt their families, cheat on their wives, and are generally a disgrace to society, and yet some people want to attack Tebow for aspiring to be a person of faith and prayer and for being a good role model for kids? What is wrong with people?
Posted by: Dominic | January 14, 2012, 12:47 am 12:47 am
Too bad for you Maria, you missed the opportunity to learn more about wonderful young man who cares more about others than himself. It’s too bad there aren’t many, many more young gentlemen just like him in this world.
Posted by: ocmarsha | January 14, 2012, 1:06 am 1:06 am
Dominic and OCMarsha hit the nail right on the head, couldn’t have said it better myself.
Posted by: CorvetteLover | January 14, 2012, 7:17 am 7:17 am
People don’t hate Tim Tebow because he’s “attention grabbing” (because he isn’t), but because he’s openly Christian. That’s it. End of story.
Posted by: David | January 14, 2012, 10:55 am 10:55 am
I too feel sorry for Maria and others like her who want to tear down good people simply because their good deeds have brought them attention. Tim Tebow is popular not because of his faith, his heart, his athleticism, his looks, his determination, or any other number of positive attributes. He is admired because he has ALL of these things, and has managed to remain a grounded, humble person. He didn’t call it “Tebowing”, he isn’t writing all these stories. All the guy is doing is living the life he wants, working a job he loves, and trying to spread some good and be a good role model to people that admire professional athletes. He just gets it. I don’t go to church nor do I believe in God, but I believe in treating others with respect, and I believe in letting people choose how they want to live their lives free of judgement. I can like a Tebow without getting caught up in the media’s crap.
Posted by: Jon | January 14, 2012, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
I don’t think people who oppose tebow do so because he is openly Christian. But is god the reason team scores? Is that not self centered? And what if a Muslim say stop a prayed to Allah all the time? Would that be acceptable to most Americans?
Posted by: Tina | January 14, 2012, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
He has not made a name for himself like the Kardashians. Goodness – that comparison is as drastic as midnight and noon! He has not called praying “Tebowing” – and cannot control what the media spreads. The more I learn about him, the more I respect him and as someone else mentioned – wish there were many more men (of all ages!) who have the same strength in character that Tim Tebow has!
And yes – people DO oppose Tebow because he is openly Christian. I’ve heard so many hateful remarks against him . . . because of the attention brought to his praying! So . . . if a Muslim wanted to pray to Allah throughout a game – can it be done without any special accommodations? Can the game go on without adjustments for one particular faith? Or will there need to be regular breaks with prayer mats and announcements calling all Muslims to prayer? Can a Muslim take those quick few seconds to ask Allah to help him honor Him throughout the game and to give him strength – and then jump right back into “business”? And will criticism extended to the praying Muslim result in violence towards those individuals expressing said criticism? If a Muslim is able to quick express a prayer and it causes no special accommodation for it nor outlashing to anyone who criticizes it – then sure, most Americans wouldn’t care.
Posted by: Tammy | January 15, 2012, 7:48 pm 7:48 pm
Can you feel it??? when he was in college, players like him came around every 20 years… playing in the NFL were the pool from colleges that you pull from make up the NFL who are the upper 3 percent of the best football players in the world!!! and they do come from all walks of life and all have the dream of making it big…. i have never seen So much excitment over a sports star since… muhomind ali, or kareem abdul jabbar….. both might i add…. changed there names for religous purposes…. Were they hated and critizied for following there religous believes??? SURE they were… but, if you look back on history these Two sports legends turned out Great….AS well as Tebow……”will” my i not offend you and say “God Bless” and have a great day!!!!!
Posted by: bobby brown | January 18, 2012, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm