It's no secret that Tim Tebow is passionate about expressing his Christian faith. In fact, he's so passionate that he's used eye-black markings this season as a way to share the scripture with others. During the BCS championship game, it was time for John 3:16:For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. – John 3:16You may have seen Tebow previously feature a reference to Philippians 4:13 during games, which reads "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Tebow's religious expression has been a big part of the wholesome image we see described in every single feature written about him. But not everyone has been a fan of his use of eye-black patches to get the message across:
There's been similar points raised in stories published recently. David Whitley of the Orlando Sentinel writes:But I have to wonder if his coaches or NCAA officials would allow him to have "There Is" "No God" written on his eye black below his right and left eyes. I imagine that these personal slogans will soon be banned.
Others feel religion and sports should not mix. "Why must he rub it in my face?" they ask.And in The Tennessean:
Still, there's something strange about the alliance of modern sport and religion.In my personal opinion, while it may be hard to ignore Tebow's display, it's nowhere near enough of an issue to start ranting about it. I believe in God, but consider myself to be in the group "spiritual but not religious." If Tebow wants to put his Christian faith on a pedestal, so be it -- it doesn't distract me in the slightest. And for viewers who might think it's a bit too much, the remote control is at your side.
So what do you think about Tebow's show of faith? Is it a bother or no big deal?
BCS National Title Game
Once again, the ticker tape falls on the Florida Gators. For the second time in Urban Meyer's tenure, Florida is the national champion. But this came in an unexpected way, when two great offenses battled tooth and nail in a 24-14 heavyweight brawl.
J. Pat Carter, AP
And as always, it was Tim Tebow. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner rallied from a difficult first half to lead Florida to the second title of his career. Tebow passed for 231 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 109, almost all in the second half as the Gators bashed their way to victory.
Pierre Ducharme, Reuters
The two teams entered averaging a combined 99 points per game, but both would be held to season lows in a game expected to be an offensive exhibition.
Donald Miralle, Getty Images
Oklahoma seized the defensive momentum early, when Nic Harris picked off Tebow on the Gators' first possession. Oklahoma would later complete a pass to Jermaine Gresham on the five-yard line, but a holding call returned the ball to midfield and eventually forced a punt.
Doug Benc, Getty Images
Last year's Big 12 defensive player of the year Gerald McCoy made the first half difficult for Tebow. The sophomore intercepted a pass, Tebow's second of the half, and generally kept the Gator quarterback off-balance in the backfield.
Pierre Ducharme, Reuters
Florida didn't breeze through Oklahoma's offensive line, but managed enough pressure on the Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. Bradford completed 26-of-41 passes, but had two interceptions when his passes were tipped by receivers.
Pierre Ducharme, Reuters
And there were Major highlights, as in Major Wright. The Florida cornerback laid a huge hit on Manuel Johnson on the Sooners' first possession and then intercepted a bobbled Bradford pass on the goal line with three seconds left in the first half, preserving a 7-7 tie.
Doug Benc, Getty Images
Percy Harvin said he was around 95 percent healthy for the BCS title game, but it's hard to imagine how he could've played even five percent better. Florida's speedster rushed for 122 yards, including a game-changing 52-yard blast on the first play after Oklahoma tied it in the fourth quarter.
Mark Humphrey, AP
Florida's defense had a flair for the dramatic. The Gators twice stopped the Sooners on the goal line, and, when Oklahoma was driving again in the fourth quarter with Florida up three, Ahmad Black made the play of the game, ripping a pass out of Juaquin Iglesias' hands and ending the Sooners' last credible threat.
Donald Miralle, Getty Images
This title wasn't nearly as easy as the Gators' first win under Urban Meyer, a 41-14 romp over Ohio State in 2006. Oklahoma held the Gators to 14 points through three quarters, but Florida broke out in the fourth quarter.
Doug Benc, Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 45)
1-09-2009 @ 2:00AM
murph said...
im sure Tony Dungy is getting ready to draft him as i type this
Reply
1-09-2009 @ 1:13PM
mike said...
Has anyone seen his GF? Instead of all this bible beating farse it would be equally representative of his character to advertise JUGS 36:D on his eyeblack.
1-09-2009 @ 6:57PM
ibid said...
why would tony dungy want tebow???? he aleady has the best ob in the nfl.....dumb da dumb dum a dumb dumb.
1-09-2009 @ 7:09PM
Pastor Shawn said...
Christian brothers stick together. I pray one day you too will know how it feels to have an extended Christian family. God bless.
1-09-2009 @ 8:03PM
mark said...
My appaulse to Tebow and the christians that have positively responded to his message. To the reverend who thinks Tebow's actions aren't appropriate. God warns us about the consequences of being ashamed of Him in Mark 8:38 - 38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
This is a cynacle world in which we live that tries to silence good Christian folks. Praise God for sending him Son to us to die for OUR sins and give us a chance for salvation! I for one am proud to be a Christian and profess my christianity as often as I can. Pastor Bashful, "How's church attendance these days?"
1-09-2009 @ 8:14PM
casey a christ lover :) said...
us christ lovers wanna lead a meany to god as we can i think its great that he was supporting his faith more people need to step up like tebow and spread the word of god after all jesus last words of his last hour on the cross were ' go and teach every liveing creature on earth the bible' he was just listening to what jesus our savior said and anyways with god nothings imposable and they one the bcs championship dint they soo all you gator fans ide praise that writeing on his face god was in his heart hey this is a buckeye/florida state seminoles fan defending a gators player here so that must mean something & im a very good christen like tebow
1-09-2009 @ 8:25PM
Jay said...
If more christians stood up and shared their religion instead of hiding and worrying about what other people think about them, the world would be a better place. Nobody would even say anything about Tebow wearing this because everyone would be wearing it on their shirts, pants,jackets and shoes. PRAISE THE LORD, EVERYDAY!
1-09-2009 @ 10:08PM
lauren johnston said...
i personally think that tim tebow has been such a great influence on the football world. he displays his faith publically and is not afraid to speak the name of God. he is so inspiring especially to teenagers who may be questioning their faith at the time to see that it is possible to be an athlete and have influence on the world and not give in to the temptations of this world. he is an amazing role model and i am glad to see him display his bible verses on his eye-black markings.
1-09-2009 @ 10:18PM
Edwin said...
What are you getting ready for?
1-10-2009 @ 12:23AM
Mark said...
Well if Tony dungy drafts him then he will have 2 Great qb's with tremendous Character.. And by the way this is to the "Rev" John....Jeramiah Wright has the word" Rev" in front of his name too. Nuf said!!!
1-10-2009 @ 4:00AM
dannycapone said...
You sure you know football? Cuz dungy's retiring.
1-09-2009 @ 2:12AM
mike said...
To Tim and many others there is a great message in those letters and numbers. To those that do not believe in the message they should only see letters and numbers, and have no reason for finding offense. But, that would make to much sense. The reality is that those that find offense in the letters and numbers John 3:16 are realy finding offense with the God whom they are rebelling against. If they find offense in the letters and numbers of John 3:16, then they will also find offense in God's word found in the next verses. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condem the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the only begoton Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather then light, because their deeds were evil. For everone practicing evil hates the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:17-21
It is a shame people find offense in the very message of hope and salvation. But then again there is notheing new under the sun.
Reply
1-09-2009 @ 4:21PM
teri hendricks said...
Very well stated. and "Blessed are those who are persecuted for my name's sake". Tim Tebow's a fine young man and as a Ute fan, I am glad the Gators won so that he could be a witness of Christ on national television. We have enough witnesses of Satan on the tube everyday!!
1-09-2009 @ 4:34PM
craig haile said...
Amen to that, Tim should be able to display whatever motivates him on his face ,and if they dont like it then they can use the remote,
1-09-2009 @ 4:54PM
D. Walker said...
I totally agree to your e-mail. We are very strong christians and would totally do what Tebow would do if we were in his position. Gos will soon be here to reign on this earth ... I pray for the souls would do not believe and pray for all who do not know, or experience his unfathomable love for on a daily basis! God Bless You!
1-09-2009 @ 4:40PM
Franklin P said...
Well said!! Bravo!!
1-09-2009 @ 4:48PM
john said...
No kidding, and even still, if they take offense to that and claim it is because they have another religion, 1st ammendment.
1-09-2009 @ 4:57PM
Arnold said...
With all that happens on campus and the way kids are today, I wonder, for all his proletyzing and bible quoting... I wonder if the T-bowe is still a virgin? I would bet not! With so much exposure, I am surprised no mention has been made of his social/sexual life. In view of that, he is just another football player to me, a very good one, just not the best one in the country.
1-10-2009 @ 8:15PM
mcclellan said...
I could not have stated it better. If Jesus is not whom He staed to be then why does it matter ?" its that it does matter and those who rebel are usually clearly agitated. May our Father continue to put Tebow in the spot light to further proclaim our Fathers glory.
1-09-2009 @ 5:00PM
Rev. John said...
I find displays of John 3:16 obnoxious and I'm a minister of the Gospel. We invite these people (football players) into our homes through the media for one purpose, to entertain us in a football game, not to preach their brand of religion to the viewer. I wonder how many of us Christians would be affronted by a ballplayer answering a reporter's questions with "I owe it all to Allah!" or "the God of Abraham has empowered me" along with an appropriate verse from the Torah or the Qu'ran stenciled across his forehead? I also think that my teacher and friend Jesus would probably be just a bit embarrassed by all of this. This is said to be "witnessing for Jesus." It is not witnessing. It is advertising a brand and those are two entirely different things. Absolutely no one is converted by an athlete issuing "vain repetitions" like "I owe it all to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." No one is brought to Jesus that way. It is more like praying aloud in the Temple to demonstrate what a good man the player is... and Jesus chastised those who did that!