As a father I am constantly on the lookout for lessons, stories, experiences, and role models that will be edifying for the development of my children. Several years ago, while he was still a surprising sensation at the University of Florida, Tim Tebow came onto my radar screen. There was something attractive about his relentless drive for excellence, his incredible work ethic, his will to win, and his unflappable attitude. I also appreciated his testimony as a Christian.
Watching Tim Tebow go from being the youngest winner of the Heisman Trophy to a number 1 draft pick in the NFL was a source of excitement for my young boys. I felt comfortable allowing them to watch his interviews, read his book, and listen in to his exploits as he transitioned into the professional ranks. Tim Tebow, a home schooled missionary's kid who preaches at prisons and responds openly and honestly to crass questions from interviewers and critics alike, seemed the perfect role model for my children.
But something was amiss.
As Tebow put on his NFL cleats a disturbing chatter seemed to grow around him. It seemed that the football "experts" were breaking their necks trying to see who could be more critical of young Tebow and his abilities. They railed against his throwing motion. They railed against his accuracy. They laughed at Josh McDaniels, the then NFL head coach of the Denver Broncos who drafted Tebow in the first round. And they even poked fun at his faith and his purity. My children were learning hard lessons from this, but I guess that's what role models are for.
"Why are they saying so many negative things about him, Dad?"
"Those people sure are being mean to him."
And on it went.
Then nearly a year went by before he got his real shot. There were flashes of excitement in a couple starts his first season, but Tebow didn't win the starting job and was sitting on the bench as the first five games of his second professional season rolled by. Finally, however, Tebow had waited patiently and prepared in obscurity long enough. His opportunity arrived, and just five games into the 2011 regular season, with the Broncos languishing at 1 and 4, Tebow was given his chance.
But nothing is that easy, not even in fairy tales. Tebow's play seemed to justify the claims of the critics. He missed wide-open receivers. He overthrew easy passes. He fumbled. He got sacked in the backfield. He rolled up terrible statistics the likes of which no NFL quarterback could expect to post and still retain his job. All the while the critics howled with their "I told you so's." However, one thing Tebow did was win. In fact, his whole team seemed to start playing better. The defense stepped up to an unbelievable level. Receivers started making stupendous catches. Running backs started nearly defying gravity. And Tebow himself seemed to come alive when the pressure was the greatest and pull victory out of the jaws of defeat - several times.
I am writing this article a bit early. Althought Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos have won four out of the last five games, anything could still happen and they could end up at the bottom of their division. Their near-miss wins could easily start turning to losses, and if that happens, I have no doubt whatsoever the critics will have a field day once again.
None of that matters, however, because Tebow has already proven something extremely valuable, namely, that while people talk about lack of skill they should never underestimate the power of will. What Tim Tebow brings is leadership. He has that special ability to energize a team of players to each perform at their very own personal best. He inspires, instills confidence, and makes those around him believe that anything can happen if they just have faith. While the statistics bemoan his performance, Tebow proves again and again that there are some components in victory that can't be measured. There are intangibles to greatness that come from deep within, that defy the odds and mystify prognosticators, and that just simply can't be contained.
Leadership matters.
Character matters.
Attitude matters.
The will to win matters.
Critics, however, don't matter.
Tebow has shown all this and more. I personally hope he keeps on winning in his unconventional way, in front of the NFL experts who so haughtily claimed "That's not the way it's done here." The world needs to understand that unconventional doesn't mean wrong, inadequate, or below grade. Unconventional just may mean revolutionary.
They said Tim Tebow wasn't ready for the NFL.
Perhaps the NFL wasn't ready for Tim Tebow.
This article is so true. Everyone is a critic until they are proven wrong, then they jump on the bandwagon before its to late. Not only are the critics like this in sports but LIFE as well. Tebow is his own man, with his own dream; the nay-sayers obviouly cant hurt him. Thats a quality I am hoping to learn through LIFE and the Team system.
Posted by: Nicole | November 18, 2011 at 03:44 AM
Awesome and inspirational to follow a true leader in the fog of his battles and win!! Thanks for sharing !
Posted by: robert wilcox | November 18, 2011 at 03:58 AM
Love it! He is such a great role model for young men! He handles all his critics with such grace, I hope to get there someday as well!
Posted by: leslie | November 18, 2011 at 07:20 AM
Great post Chris. Tim Tebow is a wonderful role model for our kids to follow. We need more Tim Tebow's in the world. Thanks Chris for the great blog.
God Bless,
Jackie Frey
Posted by: Jackie Frey | November 18, 2011 at 07:44 AM
In a world that you are afraid to have your kids look to many professional sports athletes, it is refreshing to hear of an athlete like Tim Tebow. I hope he does continue to win. His leadership, character, attitude and will to win are a great example to all. Living a life of excellence will create critics along the way but more importantly it is going to inspire others to strive for excellence.
Posted by: Tracie | November 18, 2011 at 09:23 AM
I was wonderIng how you were feeling about his start to this season. I know you've been a fan. I love personally when people can see through the "media" and find truth, in anything!!!!
No broncos fan here with me, but I am cheering Tim Tebow on! We need more people to stand against the critics! More people in our world today that we feel good telling their story to our children. There is not a lot of people in "the media" that I feel comfortable putting in the spotlight of my 4 young girls!
Thanks Chris! See you Monday!
Robby
Posted by: Robby Palmer | November 18, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Chris,
Thanks for the great profile! I am no Denver fan, but I have just become a Tim Tebow fan thanks to your profile.
You said,
"They said Tim Tebow wasn't ready for the NFL.
Perhaps the NFL wasn't ready for Tim Tebow."
It's possible there is no arena, outside of TEAM and LIFE that is ready for a leader like Tim Tebow. Thank you for working so hard to make TEAM LIFE a great place to grow into leadership!
Posted by: Cathy -- Team Rascals | November 18, 2011 at 04:47 PM
Right on Chris!
"Perhaps the NFL wasn't ready for Tim Tebow"- Love that!
Him coming on to your radar screen, seems to me that great leaders are noticed by other great leaders first, before all the spit & polish.
Thank you for all you do!
Bob
A Giants fan-see you on the 29th
Posted by: Bob | November 19, 2011 at 08:30 AM
Chris,
I know you're a Tebow fan, and yes, I've seen and read the critics. (And I've even done the dumb shouting at the screen at his detractors.) Tim's Faith and determination are an inspiration for children, and old guys like me too. I truly hope that he will prove all the naysayers wrong, but I know he won't stumble in his walk if he doesn't. Thanks, from a Rascal and a Tim.
Tim McNeil
Team Action
Posted by: Tim McNeil | November 19, 2011 at 12:39 PM
It was an absolute blast listening to some of the guys at the office, the ones who said Tebow would never even get drafted, explain all the reasons why Tebow will never lead a team to the playoffs. I hope the Broncos prove them wrong as fast as they did last time...but patience isn't difficult when waiting for the inevitable.
Posted by: Max Gebhart | November 19, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Thank you for this post. I too have been anxiously anticipating Tim Tebow's breakthrough. So many athletes today are successful in their sports but disappointing and disgraceful in other areas of their lives- the truly meaningful areas of their lives.
It is inspiring & uplifting to see Tebow unabashadely stick to his beliefs,testimony, will, character & integrity.
Posted by: Sue in Kalamazoo | November 19, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Chris,
Thank you for this awesome profile, I believe this young mans life will be a testimony to our awesome Heavenly Father.
And thank you Chris for allowing God to use you to be an awesome Leadership Teacher.
I am proud to be in the community.
Posted by: Terrence Cutler | November 19, 2011 at 11:54 PM
I also love the story about Tim Tebow and the stage that he has been given. I look at the LIFE business, the people that I have been blessed to associate with and know just like Tebow, God has given us a stage to share the truth, to share the love, the leadership that this world so needs. Thanks Chris, you are a leader among men!
Posted by: Jeff Stockhausen | November 22, 2011 at 02:13 PM
We need the likes of a Tim Tebow to remind us that we too will have our critics throwing things at us as we build our businesses; how we respond to these critics will define how we've grown in our leadership, character, attitude and will to win journey. Our critics are doing what they do best, let them; we, on the other hand, are called for greater things, let's move on. Thanks for this post, Chris!
Posted by: Maribel Damphousse | November 22, 2011 at 03:57 PM
Thanks Chris for articulating so many of the core values of LIFE through this captivating and "on target" vignet.
Tim Tebow is targeted on so many critic's radars because of his testimony. May the Lord continue to bless this Rascal too.
Larry Wieberdink
Stealth Red Eagles
Posted by: Larry Wieberdink | November 23, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Great post. Finally someone else that sees what I see in Tebow. Before he was even drafted I had a great feeling he was going to impact any team he went to simply for his distinct character at such a young age with a large amount of success. I hope he continues to win in the NFL as well especially a super bowl...however, once Aaron Rodgers retires ; )
Posted by: Nate | November 24, 2011 at 11:56 PM
As only a passive football fan, Tim Tebos wouldn't even be on my radar were it not for Team Leadership. He is a wonderful role model for all of us. His unabashed confession of his faith is admirable. It's incredible how much effort the media puts to AVOID giving him credit for what his is accomplishing. Pretty soon it will be impossible to ignore...just like it will be with Orrin Woodward and LIFE!
Posted by: Heather Woods | December 01, 2011 at 04:34 PM
I continue to be amazed at the media attention this young man gets! I truly appreciate the way that he ignores all his critics and focuses on what he can change. He is truly an amazing individual not only physically but more importantly mentally! thanks for sharing.
JH
Posted by: Jeff Helm | December 05, 2011 at 06:24 PM
I had the same question posed to me by my boys..."why do they not like Tebow?". I am personally pretty tired of the "expert's" opinions on this topic. I am a Tebow supporter and I believe in him. It is great to see him continue to out work and out perform the "expert's" opinions.
Posted by: David Bjork | December 06, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Chris, Tim Tebow gets criticized because he is a Christian. I think it's funny because up till now he comes from behind to win his last 4 or 5 games. Isn't that only appropriate, since we all know who the ultimate winner will be. God Bless, George
Posted by: guzzardo@hughes.net | December 12, 2011 at 07:23 PM
I feel an upcoming article about "starters vs FINISHERS"...
Tebow's stats this season:
First three quarters:
38% completions
520 total pass yards
5 TDs/1 Int
66.1 passer rating
4th Quarter ("Tebow Time")
63% completions
691 total pass yards
5 TDs/1 Int
105.8 passer rating
Posted by: Max Gebhart | December 14, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Spot on Chris! Could not agree more!
Posted by: Ken Rechnitzer | December 16, 2011 at 08:31 AM
People talk about the Denver defense and how they deserve much credit. They ... but the defense played so well as when Orton was under center. Tebow is a number, of course, is not impressive, but his presence, and only about their power has increased, that the defense plays, where they are one of the best in the league, because Tebow is taking over. whatever, we can get more info on http://www.tebowformvp.com/, thanx
Posted by: Morris Clide | December 22, 2011 at 10:55 AM