Criticism of Tebow and Religion Needs to Stop

There’s plenty to criticize Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow about when it comes to football. He has an awkward throwing motion, he can be wildly inaccurate with his passes, and when he’s not on, he makes Denver’s offense incredibly one-dimensional. However, there’s been very little criticism of Tim Tebow on local sports radio when it comes to football. Many radio personalities seem to be harping on Tebow due to his very open profession of his Christianity. This criticism is unjust, unnecessary, and quite frankly in my view, bigoted, and it needs to stop.

As I was leaving work yesterday listening to the “Felger and Mazz” show on 98.5 The Sports Hub, they were playing the song, “My God is an Awesome God,” in mocking fashion. Just this morning on the “Dennis and Callahan” show on WEEI sports radio, Tebow’s Christianity took up my entire drive into work. They even admitted on the show that Tebow’s religion, or rather his outgoing profession of it, makes for better radio than discussing the football aspects of Tim Tebow. Is it really that big of a deal?

Tim Tebow has been a team player, a model citizen in the league, and often meets with kids during the week and before or after games. He doesn’t smoke, drink, or go to strip clubs and get into trouble (that we know of), and yet he is vilified, while athletes that do take part in those activities do not receive nearly the press that Tebow is getting. Is his praying really that offensive? Is the fact that he thanks Jesus really that off-putting? I could understand some backlash if Tebow told everyone to convert to Christianity every time he had a pre- or post- game interview, but he hasn’t done that to my knowledge.

Let’s flip the tables a bit. If Tim Tebow or some other player was a Muslim and thanked Muhammad after every game and got down and prayed to Mecca, I don’t think there would be the verbal garbage we are hearing now. If anything, we’d be hearing about how tolerant we must all be (and rightfully so). Let’s not forget what our Constitution says, because it does get convoluted and misrepresented on occasion nowadays:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"

I think we should all give Tim Tebow a break and focus on football. After all, it’s not Tebow’s faith or some supreme being that could upset the Patriots on Saturday, but Tebow’s escapability, ability to run, and a knack for making a big throw when needed to win the game. That scares me as a Patriots fan much more than any potential divine influence playing a factor in Saturday’s game.

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