Tim Tebow Honored with Two Songs by 'St. Elmo's Fire' Rocker
Tim Tebow has become the new "Man in Motion" for 80s rock star John Parr.
In a tribute to the Denver quarterback, British singer John Parr told ABCNews.com that he has written two songs to honor Tebow, whom he has never met.
"It's that kind of everyday guy that just, that people invest their faith in him, but he's just ordinary and I love that," Parr said.
Although the song was recorded before Christmas, Parr's re-released version of his 1985 No. 1 hit, "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)," as "Tim Tebow's Fire," complete with altered lyrics, recently went viral.
"I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky. I'll be where the eagle's flyin' higher and higher. Gonna be a man in motion, all I needs is my Broncos team. Take me where my future's lyin,' Tim Tebow's Fire," Parr crones in the parody version of the song.
The day Tim Tebow signed with the Broncos, Parr said he happened to be at ESPN, where he was asked to play "St. Elmo's Fire." The rocker said when they brought him a Tebow t-shirt, he changed the lyrics to include the quarterback's name, almost as a joke. Thus, the song was born.
"But I started to look at the man, and really, really find him to be inspiring," Parr said. "I like people who believe in something, whether you're religious or not … I love the fact that he's not afraid to be an individual."
Parr gave ABCNews.com an exclusive preview of another song he said he has written just for Tebow, which the rocker said the quarterback hasn't heard yet.
Entitled "Just a Man," the song includes the lyrics, "I was just a boy when my mother first shared his joy, when she spoke his word, there are tears in her eyes, filled me with power and pride."
"Basically it's about, you're kind of out there in the storm, everbody's watching you," Parr said. "But he's just a man, that's what the song is about … it's about leadership, isn't it, we look to someone to give us confidence."
Tebow, a 24-year-old devout Christian who always attributes his wins to "my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ," has become one of the most fascinating figures to watch. He was brushed off at the beginning of the 2011 NFL season as a new starting quarterback, with sports analysts, pundits and fans expressing their low expectations of him. But Tebow's plays on the field have brought the Denver Broncos big wins.
The quarterback's latest stunner was throwing an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the wild card playoff game, 29-23, last Sunday.
Parr originally performed "St. Elmo's Fire" for the soundtrack to the 1985 blockbuster film by the same name, which helped launch Demi Moore's acting career. At the time, the song was a smash hit and shot up to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It was also nominated for a Grammy.
He used the song to help raise money for Canadian Olympian Rick Hans en's 1985 Man in Motion World Tour. Hanson suffered from severe spinal cord injuries after a car crash. Parr said he hopes to use these Tim Tebow songs to raise funds for the quarterback's foundation, which works with children.
A self-described "lapsed Christian" and a fan of NFL football, the British native said he loved the excited camaraderie Americans have for one another around big games. The Broncos will next face off with the New England Patriots this Saturday.
"In England, there's not the friendly banter, I love that in the NFL," Parr said. "My fingers are really crossed for Saturday, if [the Broncos] do it Saturday, everything changes for me."