Tim Tebow’s ego grows large in spotlight
February 7, 2010 by BRITTANY HALL
Filed under Columns, Opinions
Faster than a speeding bullet?
Sure.
More powerful than a locomotive?
I give you that one, too.
Louder than a freight train?
Ding. Ding. Ding.
HALL
Former Florida Gator Tim Tebow is fast, powerful and makes a great deal of noise — and he has had his fair share of publicity. Whether he is crying on national television or nuzzling coach Urban Meyer, the nation is fascinated by him.
However, many of us have had enough of the controversy over Tim Tebow’s much-anticipated Super Bowl ad Sunday night and his unending off-field commentary.
I am with the critics.
The much-repeated story of his mother’s devotion is moving. Superman Tebow almost killed his mother in childbirth, but her faith gave her the strength to birth God’s gift to jean-short wearers throughout the state of Florida.
What his mother did — enduring a risky childbirth — was commendable and brave. But I know many disagree.
Tebow’s courage to stand up for his religious beliefs on the field, but particularly off the field, must be commended. This takes courage, especially in the tainted world of professional sports.
I don’t think that serious issues don’t have a place in the sports world. Since athletics these days are surrounded by infidelities and filled with performance enhancing drugs, the sports world desperately needs positive role models.
Twelve-year-old boys all over the country collect posters and study ESPN to achieve the kind of greatness these men have achieved.
But the effectiveness of Tebow’s methods are something to be questioned.
In his effort to shine light on issues, Tebow simply is shining the light on himself. Quoting Bible verses and boasting about his mission trips to the Philippines shifts the attention to Tebow and feeds his ego. If the message was truly about the issues, Tebow would learn how to step back and let God receive the glory.
But he doesn’t. Now he is stepping even further into the homes of Americans and glorifying the name of Tebow.
The choice to release the ad at the Super Bowl — the Oscars of television advertisements — seems more like another way for the football world to see his face.
The impact of the commercial at the Super Bowl is not as great as the impact of Tebow’s golden reputation, or dare I say, his bank account.
Tebow, your glory days are coming to an end, my friend. Way to go out with a bang.
There are better ways to inspire people without running your mouth. Former Texas Longhorn’s quarterback Colt McCoy does that.
McCoy faced the greatest disappointment that could happen in a senior football payer’s career.
After leading his team all the way to the BCS National Championship, McCoy hurt his arm in the first two minutes of the game.
How did McCoy respond when asked how hard it was to watch from the sidelines the team he led all season play in the biggest and last game of his career?
Did he cry?
No.
McCoy said, “I know what it would have been like to had I played that game. To know that is tough. But at the same time, I am a man of faith. I stand on the rock. I’ll never question God for why things happen the way they do.”
Tebow, take a page from McCoy’s playbook.
Show, don’t tell.
— Brittany Hall is a senior from Marietta majoring in magazines
