Tim Tebow

It is amazing to me how polarizing people's opinions on Tim Tebow are. When his name comes up there are two questions that arise: do you like Time Tebow the man? And do you think he will succeed in the NFL? If your answer is 'no' to the first question then you probably say 'no' to the second on as well. But even though I think the majority of people like him as a person, the majority says he won't succeed as an NFL quarterback. Well, I think Tim Tebow is a great person and I think he will be incredible in the NFL and I've got plenty of reasons to believe this.

I've always hated the Florida Gaters, but when Tim Tebow played for them I rooted for them. His work ethic, will to win, and leadership was amazing at Florida. Even in his freshman year he was running over defensive lineman, and he's a quarterback! Then he won the Heisman Trophy his sophomore year and a national championship his junior year. And in what was going to be his year to be considered the greatest college football player of all time, an undefeated national championship season his senior year, ended when Florida lost to a great Alabama team in the SEC Championship game. He was so intense, so determined, he won the mental part of the game every week. The amazing thing about Tebow is that he has the heart of 'Rudy', the body of a linebacker, and he plays quarterback. And to top it off he is a true leader. All of this said you have to respect him as a player even if you don't like him.

What I like about Tebow the most is the man he is off the field. He is a committed Christian who does more than just thank God after the game. He knows that all the gifts (athletic abilities) he's been given are because of God's grace, and his number one mission is to help people come to know Jesus Christ. With all of the distractions that were around him as he was a huge star at Florida, he maintained that focus. It just shows his strong will, desire, and leadership on the field is the same off the field. As a Christian, I find Tebow to be very inspiring. And I know that to non-Christians this can come as a huge turn-off, and maybe that is why a person doesn't like him. But I don't think anyone can say that he isn't trying to impact the world in a positive way, whether you are a Christian or not.

From the moment Tebow won the Heisman Trophy until now analysts and fans have said Tebow has bad mechanics and he won't translate well to the NFL. Over and over and over again I've heard about how he can't do it. When the Denver Broncos selected him in the first round the analysts were largely skeptical about their decision to "waste" a first round pick on him when they probably could have got him in the 2nd round. Well, it has already paid off for the Broncos because they have already made enough off selling Tim Tebow jerseys to pay his salary. He's going to make just over $2 million per season, and with all the fans (including me) he's going to attract to Broncos games it will be well worth the money.

Why does everyone buy into Mel Kiper, Jr., Todd McShay and other's analysis of Tebow? Just because they say he won't work, does that mean it is fact? Don't forget about how these guys said Jevan Snead was a top 10 draft choice about one year ago today....well he didn't get drafted, and then he got cut by Tampa Bay...before training camp started! Tebow probably won't even play quarterback his rookie year so doesn't that mean he has a least a year and a half to work on his throwing motion? With his skill, determination, and strong-will is there any doubt he will be able to master the throwing a football the way they want him to. It's not instincts they are worried about, it's his throwing motion! He was a straight 'A' student, so I also think he can handle an NFL playbook, even though it is completely different from Urban Meyer's system. There is one thing I would never do, and that's tell Tim Tebow he can't do something. With someone that driven, you're only adding fuel to the fire in his belly to be the best.

Tim Tebow is a great person and is unlike any athlete I've ever seen on and off the field. He has transcended sports to become a public figure like few others because of his skills and personality. There is no doubt Tebow will be enormously successful in the NFL. As soon as he becomes as good as Matt Ryan he will have endorsements all over the place and his face will be on everything. He may never win a Superbowl or go to the Hall of Fame, but he will be a success in the NFL.

JB