Feb 3, 2012 6:56am

Tim Tebow: Putting the Lord, and Patriots First

Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images

NFL sensation Tim Tebow, who took the country by storm with a 2011 six-game winning streak that brought the Denver Broncos within one win of this weekend’s Super Bowl, says that although his much-mimicked on-field praying has sparked controversy, he is merely “putting the Lord first.”

The term “Tebowing” – the act of stopping what one’s doing to kneel down on one knee and pray — became one of 2011′s hottest and most-copied memes. Once Tebow’s popularity truly caught fire after an October win over the Miami Dolphins, photos of people “Tebowing” across the globe – in front of Buckingham Palace, at Egypt’s pyramids, and even underwater — sprung up across the Internet.

View a slideshow of people across the world “Tebowing”

“Part of taking a knee is humbling yourself, and it’s a form of showing humility where you are putting someone else first,” Tebow said in an interview with ESPN. “Putting the Lord first. And that’s why I do it. More than anything, more than asking for wins or losses, I’m asking that I have a platform to honor him.”

In 2011 Tebow became one of the world’s most popular athletes, and gathered his own devout following. He completed 10 of 21 passes when the Broncos took on the Pittsburgh Steelers last month, setting a franchise record for a quarterback’s rating in a playoff game, along with an NFL record for yards per completion in a playoff game.

The 24-year-old University of Florida graduate has had his share of critics since his career took off, however, primarily amongst those who are turned off by his flaunting of his religion on the football field. Recently comedian Bill Maher, an outspoken atheist, came under fire for mocking Tebow’s loss and insinuating that God was punishing him.

Tebow says he draws strength from his detractors.

“When I get down on a knee and what’s become ‘Tebowing,’ I’m asking the Lord for strength, whether I win or whether I lose. Whether I am the hero or the goat,” he says. “I am still going to be the same person.

“I’m sure my faith is part of that, I know I have a lot of supporters because of it … which I’m very thankful for and I’m very thankful for all the support I’ve received and the people that are praying for me that are backing me. On the other side, you’re always going to have critics, I’ve always had them and I’ll always have them. For me, I’ll always use that as motivation.”

Another motivation is one day making passes on Super Bowl Sunday in the big game. Until then, Tebow is only left only to make predictions — and speaking as a man with experience, he’s calling it.

“I think it will be a close game,” Tebow told ESPN. “But it’s hard to go against Brady, as I found out twice. If I had to choose — Patriots in a close game.”

SHOWS: Good Morning America

User Comments

The Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth says to choose the Lord over this world. This world is temporary and our time here is short, very short. Eternity is a long time and not worth choosing poorly.
This Tebow fellow seems genuine and sincere. (I’m not a Broncos fan, nor follow their games) Despite what the critics (non believers) claim, he doesn’t pray for a win, but strength. Which says a lot about him and that he is not using his faith for selfish recognition.

Posted by: Mike | February 3, 2012, 7:25 am 7:25 am

If he’s genuine and sincere, and he puts the Lord first, why does he make millions of dollars by violating the Sabbath every week, and why are his supporters, who supposedly believe in the literalness and inerrancy of the Bible, so supportive of him? Observing the Sabbath is commanded repeatedly. It is one of the 10 Commandments, just like no murder, no stealing, and no adultery, and does not come with any exceptions. What Tebow does on the Sabbath cannot be considered a life safety necessity. The worship of Tebow by Christians, bordering on idolotry given the widespread use of his graven image (another of the Top 10 things God forbids), is probably the most glaring example this year of the unbelievable hypocrisy of those claiming to “put the Lord first.” Jesus was very hard on hypocrites, and His justice for hypocrisy is eternal hellfire. Mike, do you have a way to reconcile your comment that Tebow is sincere with the fact that his labor is done nearly exclusively on the Sabbath?

Posted by: Steve | February 3, 2012, 7:49 am 7:49 am

Steve, fortunately for us, God came up with a different way to get to Heaven than using the Ten Commandments. He sent His Son, to die for our sins. All we have to do since, is acknowledge who He was, and accept Him in our hearts and ask Him to forgive us of our sins. So yes, even a murderer can get to Heaven if they confess and accept Jesus.
All Ten Commandments are nearly impossible for a human to keep their entire lives. Think about that. If you covet a single thing anyone else has – you broke one. If you miss one day of church – you broke one. If you put money before the Lord – you broke another. The list can go on and on and on.

Secondly. I’m not fully convinced that Sunday is the Sabbath. On the calendar, Saturday is the last day of the week and Sunday is the first day.

Posted by: Mike | February 3, 2012, 8:17 am 8:17 am

Funny that you never hear anyone on the right telling Tebow to keep his opinions to himself, yet when it’s someone on the left they say, “I wish he/she would just shut up; nobody cares what he/she thinks.”

Posted by: Working_Class | February 3, 2012, 8:34 am 8:34 am

Obama fakes it.

Posted by: newcountryman | February 3, 2012, 8:35 am 8:35 am

I’m only against this if Tebow has to sacrafice a goat or a lamb, as a dare by God, or proof of alligiance. Other than that…. let him do his kneeling… now let’s play! Yayy!!

Posted by: AverageJoe76 | February 3, 2012, 9:18 am 9:18 am

“Obama fakes it.”
POSTED BY: NEWCOUNTRYMAN
Hmm. Well then, both are faking it, because Michelle definitely “fakes it” most of the time.

Posted by: jared | February 3, 2012, 9:32 am 9:32 am

America is obsessed with beauty, that’s a reality. Tebow’s popularity has nothing to do with his religion. If he were a homely looking guy, kneeling down to pray at odd times, he would be thought of as a ‘weirdo’. The same goes for politics. Romney, Perry and Santorum’s popularity was/is hugely due to their perceived ‘good looks’ and it’s a shame we would vote for someone to lead our country only because we would have the best-looking leader instead of someone who actually has a positive public record in business and personal life. Shame, shame, shame.

Posted by: Iluvdausa | February 3, 2012, 9:35 am 9:35 am

I like and respect Tebow quite a lot actually, but…Go Giants!

Posted by: Michael | February 3, 2012, 9:35 am 9:35 am

It’ll be fun and interesting to see how Tebow does next year after some lengthy time with John Elway. I believe he will do really well, maybe even better than really well. Until then, may the GIANTS destroy the Pattys. Or at least win in a close one.

Posted by: Randy | February 3, 2012, 9:41 am 9:41 am

Mike, so you are saying that Christianity is not about doing the right thing, but just worshipping the right guy in the right way? So convenient!

Posted by: jock59801 | February 3, 2012, 9:41 am 9:41 am

I think Tebow is great for the game. He’s just thanking our maker. Giving in to a higher power. It’s there for eveyrone. He showing how to be humble. Something NewCountryMan needs to pick up on.

Posted by: MrE_mann | February 3, 2012, 9:56 am 9:56 am

Jock

Have you read the Bible? If so, then you know that the only way to the Father is through His son Jesus Christ. Now, after you accept Him, it changes you to be more in His image and that means you will not want to sin and will want to do the “right thing”. Can you fail? Absolutely. That is what Satan wants. And is his role, to tempt you. This world is all about choice. Right from wrong, good from evil.

If by chance you don’t believe in any of it. That is a big gamble. If I’m wrong, and my time is up on this planet, it is just a dirt nap. The lights go out and it is over. No Heaven and no Hell. All of my time reading the Bible is for nothing. All of my efforts following Christ are for nothing. Am I out anything? I won’t have the ability to even know I was wrong and be disappointed.

Now. What if I’m right. What if there is life after this and it is forever. What if there is a Heaven and there is a Hell. What if everything the Bible says is true. Forever is a very long time. Especially to endure the tortures of Hell every second for all eternity. You will have the ability to know you were wrong and be more disappointed than what I can put into words.

Posted by: Mike | February 3, 2012, 10:22 am 10:22 am

Thank God for some Joy in serving Him!
It’s nice to win, but great to know you are already a Winner!

Posted by: Dan Cooper | February 3, 2012, 10:25 am 10:25 am

Steve, I don’t think you read the Bible much to be quoting it otherwise you would realize you are quoting old testament and Jesus came to fulfill the old laws, hence the New Testament. We cannot earn our way to heaven or Jesus died for nothing. I hope and pray you read more to understand this.

Posted by: Seriously | February 3, 2012, 10:28 am 10:28 am

MIKE: WELL SAID DUDE!

Posted by: Seriously | February 3, 2012, 10:30 am 10:30 am

Correction he is 24, check your facts, takes away from the articles creditbility…

Posted by: Salsera_01 | February 3, 2012, 10:52 am 10:52 am

I don’t care what he worships. His personal beliefs are his personal beliefs. Nothing more, nothing less. Some share his beliefs, some don’t. No one is more right than the other when it comes to their beliefs. There is no point arguing about it. What I can’t understand is why this continues to be a news story?

Posted by: Jim | February 3, 2012, 10:54 am 10:54 am

Tebow, keep your narrow-minded views to yourself.

Posted by: tstorm | February 3, 2012, 11:02 am 11:02 am

@Jim , because people are identifying with him & see him as something new & refreshing compared to all the other types we see in our world. He’s just giving thanks to a higher power. We should all be doing that. That is half of why he’s popular & his playing ability. That’s why it’s news. Why be sour? be humble.

Posted by: MrE_mann | February 3, 2012, 11:02 am 11:02 am

Seriously: I don’t believe YOU’VE read the bible. These are from the new testament from none other than Jesus himself: “For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:18-19) It clearly states the Old Testament is to be abided by until the end of human existence itself.

Here we see that the viciousness of Old Testament laws will be binding forever. “It is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the letter of the law to become invalid.” (Luke 16:17)

Here we read that Jesus strongly approves of the law and the prophets. He hasn’t the slightest objection to the cruelties of the Old Testament. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest part or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.” (Matthew 5:17)

Please, the old and new testament are together Christianity…cherry picking is quite irritating.

Posted by: Michelle | February 3, 2012, 11:13 am 11:13 am

MRE_MANN – “We should all be doing that.” Why? Please don’t confuse your personal beliefs with something that you need to push onto others. I don’t need to give thanks to a higher power and that is okay. If you feel the need to, that is ok as well. I am not sour about anything. I just don’t understand why this is a news story. There are lots of NFL players with deep personal convictions that support many charitable causes. Why is this guy so special? The news coverage makes it seem like he is the only one in the NFL. This non-news!

Posted by: Jim | February 3, 2012, 11:24 am 11:24 am

The interviewer insinuated that Tim Tebow is one of the most polarizing/divisive figure in America b’cuz of his Faith in Jesus Christ! That is supposedly an affront to many people in our Nation. What if he was Jewish, Muslim, or Mormon? I guess Romney also fits the script. Somehow being openly anything unites the society! WOW America when you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything!

Posted by: WhatIsWrongHere? | February 3, 2012, 11:24 am 11:24 am

Go Tebow. And go Giants.

Posted by: nancy | February 3, 2012, 11:38 am 11:38 am

Why so bitter TSTORM? And you don’t believe in free speech, except from the secular left? Look in the mirror if you want see some real “narrow-mindedness”.

Posted by: Brit | February 3, 2012, 11:46 am 11:46 am

Can only laugh at, or feel pity for, narrow-minded numbskulls like TSTORM who only want their own clunky views reflected or expressed in public. Stalin would be proud, lol.

Posted by: Bea | February 3, 2012, 11:51 am 11:51 am

I’m a Bronco fan and unlike Tebow, I’m still upset at the Patriots for beating the Broncos so I’m praying that the Giants will whip the Pats good this Sunday

Posted by: COskier | February 3, 2012, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

Tebow > his petty critics. Happier too. Next.

Posted by: Adam | February 3, 2012, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm

@Jim – you sound sour to me. Let it go.

Posted by: MrE_mann | February 3, 2012, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm

So your faith is a sort of cosmic insurance policy. Got it. FYI, you are wrong. The Giant Flying Spaghetti Monster God told me so. Get ready for that dirt nap.

Posted by: A Cynic | February 3, 2012, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

One of the many difficulties I had with my old faith was the reason I forced myself to believe; fear. It wasn’t out of my love of Jesus or God (or one in the same???) that I believed; it was the eternal damnation part. So I thought…… “hold on, can’t God read minds?” …. “won’t he read my mind and know I am a phony?”…. “I only joined to not go to the bad place….” But I really wanted to believe out of love, and it just wasn’t there. Because…. I never met Jesus, or his Dad. Didn’t know ‘em. Read the Bible (at least 75% of it) and identified with the morals, but not all of them. And so…. here I am. Agnostic, because I don’t know anything, nor can I be sure what happens, There isn’t a reporter from the afterlife telling me what to expect or how to prepare for it. So if God really “loves” me, why can’t he accept my uncertain viewpoint of the spirit-world? I cannot possibly prove or disprove ANY of this stuff.

Posted by: AverageJoe76 | February 3, 2012, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm

Group A believes there is a God. Group B believes there is no God. Why does B even care what A thinks about something that B thinks does not even exist? Is B equally angry with Group C, who believes in astrology? Does B also offer lengthy debates against Groups D, E, and F, who believe in the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and leprechauns, respectively?

Methinks B doth protest too much.

And A needs to be nice. No matter how good your ice cream is, nobody wants it after you douse it with Tabasco.

Posted by: Charles | February 3, 2012, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

Enough already with this Tebow crap-he is not the only professional player that does some sort of prayer of tribute when things go right-why is he being idolized? Has anyone not seem something in baseball , basketball, etc. when they praise their Lord or God or make the sign of the cross-what makes this guy think he is so special? Check out some of the other atheletes out there who do similar things, but don’t get the same recogination and/or critisiam-as I said, this is my opinion and enough already with this guy.

Posted by: sammy | February 3, 2012, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm

i am so flabbergasted thatr people who call themselves christians are saying that the fourth commandment does not apply. for millennia, the importance of the sabbath was profoundly important to christians, as important as any other of the commandments, because it is god’s fundamental law.. but now we have people who say the law does not apply to them. their charlatanous ‘pastors’ tell them that belief is only a matter of imagination. but there is no salvation without repentance says the physician luke. these false churches and their smooth teachings are wicked.

this is why evangelicals have the highest divorce rates among any christian group, tied with jews. then they get remarried, which is absolutely condemned repeatedly by jesus in scripture, yet still call themselves christians. god hating filth.

i think tebow has handled himself ok in a maelstrom he had nothing to do with. but i am always wary of the running qb.

Posted by: joe blowsky | February 3, 2012, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm

If Americans understood the risk that Fundamentalist Christians represent their to liberty, they would appropriately resent the political uses that this good-kid’s seemingly pure faith is being perverted to serve.

I’d say the story of his religion should move to the politics pages so that the story of Tim Tebow’s amazing will-to-win can inspire a generation of young athletes.

Posted by: Joey Tranchina | February 3, 2012, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm

Christians had been murdering each other for over 2000 years in vicious disputes over absurd unrealities. Christians talk love but make war. Why should anyone expect this to change. Now we get their Christian conflicts and fake-certainties with our football.

I’d, for one, would prefer football without Christian politics.

Posted by: Joey Tranchina | February 3, 2012, 10:24 pm 10:24 pm

Group A believes there is a God. Group B believes there is no God. Why does B even care what A thinks about something that B thinks does not even exist? Posted by: Charles | February 3, 2012, 6:00 pm.

Because many in group A want to legislate, into our secular legal system, beliefs that are part of their religion. For example, the entire anti-gay-marriage argument is couched in Christian interpretation of their so-called bible. If group A kept their damn noses out of politics and the secular world and instead kept them INSIDE their own churches and homes, group B would not give a rats arse what they do. Understand?

Posted by: A Cynic | February 4, 2012, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

The idea that one is “humbling” themselves by stopping and praying in front of cameras and millions of fans, is like calling a fat guy “slim”. It is by definition an oxymoron. He’s making a literal mockery of his faith and superficializing the very act and ritual. What ego does it take to have to stop and show everyone how pious you are by posing on the sidelines of a nationally syndicated sporting event? What a joke.

Posted by: Ross | February 5, 2012, 12:27 am 12:27 am

Tom Welling did the Superman bow long before Tebow. Very similar …
Go Smallville –you had to bow before you went up, up, and away.!!!
Kudos to ” The last son of Krypton” and the ten year run of Smallville.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Posted by: Mark | February 5, 2012, 10:13 am 10:13 am

Tebow. You’re a first-class JERK.

Posted by: tstorm | February 6, 2012, 10:35 am 10:35 am

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Tim Tebow: Putting the Lord, and Patriots First

SHOWS: Good Morning America

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