An Open Letter to Tim Tebow

Photo: SI.com

Dear Tim,

I imagine this hasn’t been an easy week for you. Not that I imagine you’ve had many easy weeks since you made the jump from Heisman-winning college quarterback to one of the most controversial prospects to enter the NFL in years. It seems like every time I turn on the TV, Merrill Hodge or Skip Bayless or some talking head on ESPN is railing about how you’ll never be a real NFL quarterback, blah blah blah. Whatever. But after that ugly loss to the Lions on Sunday, I reckon you’re feeling the heat a bit more than usual right now.

I don’t know if you’re aware of this (read: sarcasm), but you are the Kim Kardashian of the sports world right now. Everybody and their mother has an opinion about you. Even people who don’t know football know who you are and the ongoing saga that’s playing out in Denver right now. That’s got to be weird for you. I guess it’s part of being in the spotlight, but that doesn’t make it any less weird to think of millions of people whom you don’t know are constantly talking about whether or not you’re any good. 


I’m not interested in debating the mechanics of your throwing motion or whether or not your skills translate to the NFL’s style of play. My dad always taught me that if you work hard good things will happen for you, and I have little doubt that your hard work will one day pay off for you. That’s not why I’m writing this.

Recently, the criticism of you has ever-so-slowly morphed into plain-old slander. I mean, to have Lions players mocking your praying after a touchdown when they sack you is simply crossing the line. It’s like people have decided it’s okay to take cheap shots at you because you’re a public advocate for Jesus. Regardless of someone's intent, that is not, and never will be, okay.


But it’s not entirely unprecedented, either. Just this morning, I was reminded of the words of the Master in his Sermon on the Mount:

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. For in the same way, they treated the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-11, TNIV)

I am astounded by the fact that you continue to receive more mockery and criticism than George W. Bush and refuse to respond in kind. It’s a testament to your actually believing the things you testify to.

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9, NIV)


Despite the barrage of insults that have been thrown your way, you’ve continued to do what you do: work on improving as a player without ever compromising your status as a child of God. That is praiseworthy, sir. More so than any highlight you could ever produce on a football field (and you've produced more than a few of those).


So just like the prophets hung in there before you, just as Jesus never opened his mouth to silence his critics, I encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing. You’re setting a great example for Christians everywhere about how to handle adversity.


You may never hear the end of the criticism about your play until you win a Super Bowl. Which is fine, really, because that’s what every player has to endure. And I sincerely hope all that hard work pays off someday. But the way you handle the hostility you’re facing today may end up being even more important than how many Larry O'Brien trophies you've raised when all is said and done. "And they'll know we are Christians by our love."

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1, NIV)


Thanks for doing your thing, man. Go Broncos.


Sincerely,


dominick


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