"Why are Christian Athletes still being Crucified by Sports Media?

[Jim Franklin]

Fox Sports has a great opinion article on this subject.

[Cam Pence]

Fox Sports has a great opinion article on this subject.

Post the link or it doesn't exist

[Glenn Messer]

Not hard to find:

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/...ntcmp=features

[Steven Martinez]

A solid Christian is always an easy target because he/she turns the other cheek and keeps doing what he/she was doing. Other religions do not seem to have the same attitude. Therefore the media stereotype is criticize a Muslim and they will kill you, criticize a Jew and you will get sued, criticize a Buddhist/Hindu... no one cares. Therefore all you got primarily are Christians. At the same time, Christian athletes reap the benefits of their faith by becoming "God's Athlete" that the entire Church must be a fan of. One could argue that Tim Tebow is in the situation he is in because of the controversy/media hype of his faith. I am sure a lot of Cornhusker fans would argue that they have produced much finer option QBs than Tebow but have not even received a sniff by the NFL. The old saying of no such thing as bad media comes to mind.

[Ryan Scott]

Because Christian athletes, at least the ones that get press, almost always perpetuate the stereotypes of Christians that already exist in the culture.

I grew up getting "Sports Spectrum" magazine as a kid - it highlighted "Christian" athletes. Over time I realized the only way I knew they were Christians was because they said so in a magazine. Some were indistinguishable from the rest of the athletic world, others were noticeably un-Christian in their public actions.

There are some great, strong Christians in the world of professional sports - usually, though, they just let their lives talk and not their mouths. I have much more respect for that.

In the case of Tebow, he's getting his chance at the NFL and his place in the spotlight primarily because of his marketability (mostly to Christians) and not because of his athletic ability. That will drive most any sports fan nuts, especially those who get paid to bring everyone down (sportswriters).

[Nate Pruitt]

I always find it interesting. Here in Nashville the now second string quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, is a Christian. In fact he has ties within the faith community, and through his church, to people who are influencing the Christian marketplace. To follow him on twitter is to see a guy who loves his family, loves his friends, loves his church, and is a "regular" guy in that he has normal interests, too (he recently was at the PBR event in town with a couple teammates enjoying the bull riding). There are times where he gets very intentional about promoting a cause, charity, ministry, or outreach. There are plenty of times where he quotes scripture or part of a sermon. So in a lot of ways he's very similar to Tebow except that he hasn't made it his life goal to crusade about the fact that he is a Christian.

The truth is I don't really have a problem with Tim. I know he's not perfect, despite how he's set up. I also know he's a genuinely good guy, though. I still don't get the GQ stuff in general, but then again I've never been a GQ subscriber. There are lots of guys who genuinely thank God in interviews, though, that do so without turning it into a mini-sermon. Guys who are more like that are much quicker to be scrutinized than those who go about their Christian walk often times embodying the sort of humility represented in the "left hand not knowing what the right is doing." (See: Matthew 6:3) Many such guys, like the previously mentioned Hasselbeck, go about life with this sort of graciousness. The truth is even in the media they will receive more grace in response.

[Lorie Hatcliff]

Everyone of us live out our faith differently. Some more quietly and some more loudly than others. One is not right and one is not wrong.

I think of 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

There seems to be a hostile environment to Christians in the sports field. When I hear an athlete speak of God in such an environment, my respect for them raises because I know they are just going to get hammered by it, and they know it too.

In Acts 4, Peter says "As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

When someone is bubbling over with the joy of the Lord, how can we, as Christians dare criticize that excitement?

I have a friend who is full of Jesus. He is everything to her and evident in every aspect of her life. She gets excited about her relationship with Him and it comes out in everything she does. Her extended family feels otherwise and wants her to stop talking about Jesus every time she's with them. Do we dare to tell her to clamp it, because other people can't stand it? I don't think we even dare go that way.

[Jim Franklin]

"Quench not the Spirit."

[Benjamin Burch]

I never like stories like this that try to turn it into an issue which it isn't. Tebow isn't slammed for his faith simply for the sake of slamming Christian faith. Tebow is slammed for his Christian faith because it is the only reason he's relevant.

The first paragraph makes my point, and really defeats the rest of the article on its own:

There are plenty of legitimate questions about the former Heisman winner’s suitability for the NFL. But the most strident assaults on Tebow typically have nothing to do with his completion percentage, and everything to do with his Christian faith.

He is only popular, not because of his completion percentage, but because of his Christian faith and, in the world of sports, that is an unacceptable reason to be popular. Either you are good, or you are not. You don't get a pass because of your faith, but yet Tebow does. So, it is the thing that deserves attention because it is the only reason Tebow is relevant. If he were an atheist no one would even know who he is, or that he'd been traded at all. It should be the same even though he is a Christian. He should be little known and irrelevant in the NFL media.

[Bob Hunter]

I never like stories like this that try to turn it into an issue which it isn't. Tebow isn't slammed for his faith simply for the sake of slamming Christian faith. Tebow is slammed for his Christian faith because it is the only reason he's relevant.

The first paragraph makes my point, and really defeats the rest of the article on its own:



He is only popular, not because of his completion percentage, but because of his Christian faith and, in the world of sports, that is an unacceptable reason to be popular. Either you are good, or you are not. You don't get a pass because of your faith, but yet Tebow does. So, it is the thing that deserves attention because it is the only reason Tebow is relevant. If he were an atheist no one would even know who he is, or that he'd been traded at all. It should be the same even though he is a Christian. He should be little known and irrelevant in the NFL media.

So how did Tebow carry a 1-4 team into the playoffs? How did he win 6 games straight? And how did he pass for over 300 yards against Pittsburgh?

Oh that's right, he can't play a lick.

[Benjamin Burch]

So how did Tebow carry a 1-4 team into the playoffs? How did he win 6 games straight? And how did he pass for over 300 yards against Pittsburgh?

Oh that's right, he can't play a lick.

He led an inept offense that struggled to score points and was only in a position to win games because their defense played out of their minds. Let's not pretend. QBs don't win 13 point games. Defenses do. Every composite rating said Tebow was horrible.

NFL Passer Rating: 72.9 (27th)
ESPN Total QBR: 29.9 (31st)
Football Outsiders DVOA: -22.7% (37th)
Football Outsiders DYAR: -221 (40th)
Advanced NFL Stats EPA/P: -0.05 (35th)
Pro-Football-Reference ANY/A: 4.8 (27th)

The guy played terribly and was among the absolute worst QBs in the NFL. He isn't a "winner" and doesn't "find ways to win." He was put in favorable situations by his team and by opponents. There is no such thing as someone who "finds ways to win" even when they play that poorly consistently. There are lucky people who have teams that win for them and put them in favorable positions despite their poor play. If they'd given up 5 more points each game, Tebow wouldn't have won a game.

[Nate Pruitt]

Tebow was a proven winner in college, who ran a solid college offense. So did Danny Wuerffel. Wuerffel was never shy about his faith and he handled a difficult transition to the NFL that ultimately didn't pan out with humility and grace. However, the persona of each guy was pretty different. Wuerffel just walks it out differently. He really is outspoken about his faith. He's a great leader, well respected, and a desired speaker. The thing no one REALLY wants to talk about is what I hinted at with the GQ reference. Wuerffel was the good boy next door type. Tebow is the Christian sex symbol. Even in Florida, where I'm from, Wuerffel's face (and torso) wouldn't have been up on the walls belonging to youth group girls. That's not the case with Tebow. Tebow shows up on my facebook newsfeed from more college and twenty-something females than males. Tebow is marketable because of his looks. Tebow gets more interview time because of his eyes, his wry smile, and the tight shirts he'll wear to the press conference. He says all the right things, sure, but his marketability doesn't begin with his faith- it begins with his face.

I'm afraid anyone who has failed to catch on to the fact that female viewership is something the NFL takes seriously and that Tebow brings in female viewership is way short on media savvy.

Sportswriters have no interest in players who are all show and no go. It doesn't matter if it's the originally marketable Matt Leinart or the much more marketable Tim Tebow.

(Now, a defense can only keep a team in a game- but if they don't score you can't overshadow that the offense contributes even if they wait until the latter half of the fourth quarter. It has to be acknowledged that, unlike Grossman in Chicago a few years ago when the Bears defense would score to save games, Tebow has led game winning drives. He is a competitor, and a winner. Does it keep him from being an ugly QB? No. Does it make him a bad option for the end of a game? Nah- he's still a better choice in a close game than Mark Sanchez, that dude chokes. He better hope he can keep all the games blow outs.)

[Doug Ward]

If Tebow has been crucified, why is it I saw him on NFL highlights today? Are we claiming resurrection? Now that is news.

[Benjamin Burch]

Tebow was a proven winner in college, who ran a solid college offense. So did Danny Wuerffel. Wuerffel was never shy about his faith and he handled a difficult transition to the NFL that ultimately didn't pan out with humility and grace. However, the persona of each guy was pretty different. Wuerffel just walks it out differently. He really is outspoken about his faith. He's a great leader, well respected, and a desired speaker. The thing no one REALLY wants to talk about is what I hinted at with the GQ reference. Wuerffel was the good boy next door type. Tebow is the Christian sex symbol. Even in Florida, where I'm from, Wuerffel's face (and torso) wouldn't have been up on the walls belonging to youth group girls. That's not the case with Tebow. Tebow shows up on my facebook newsfeed from more college and twenty-something females than males. Tebow is marketable because of his looks. Tebow gets more interview time because of his eyes, his wry smile, and the tight shirts he'll wear to the press conference. He says all the right things, sure, but his marketability doesn't begin with his faith- it begins with his face.

I'm afraid anyone who has failed to catch on to the fact that female viewership is something the NFL takes seriously and that Tebow brings in female viewership is way short on media savvy.

Sportswriters have no interest in players who are all show and no go. It doesn't matter if it's the originally marketable Matt Leinart or the much more marketable Tim Tebow.

(Now, a defense can only keep a team in a game- but if they don't score you can't overshadow that the offense contributes even if they wait until the latter half of the fourth quarter. It has to be acknowledged that, unlike Grossman in Chicago a few years ago when the Bears defense would score to save games, Tebow has led game winning drives. He is a competitor, and a winner. Does it keep him from being an ugly QB? No. Does it make him a bad option for the end of a game? Nah- he's still a better choice in a close game than Mark Sanchez, that dude chokes. He better hope he can keep all the games blow outs.)

Any offense can score 15-17 a game. Tebow deserves no credit. 15-17 isn't a score that wins games unless your D can keep the other team to less.

[Steven Martinez]

If Ryan Clark plays in that game the Broncos do not beat the Steelers. When a Pro-Bowl coverage DB is off the team for a game it tends to be easier to pass against said team.

The best example I can give of the hype lift is Vince Young. He had a great college career, had an awesome Rookie season and was to change the game forever. Where is Vince now? Ultimately schemes will adapt (look at Cam Newton yesterday) to QBs who do not have accurate throws and rely on athleticism to survive. To me the proof is the fact that Denver chose to trade Tebow for a QB who was out for a year after 4 neck surgeries. Mark Sanchez is starting ahead of him.

[Nate Pruitt]

If Ryan Clark plays in that game the Broncos do not beat the Steelers. When a Pro-Bowl coverage DB is off the team for a game it tends to be easier to pass against said team.

The best example I can give of the hype lift is Vince Young. He had a great college career, had an awesome Rookie season and was to change the game forever. Where is Vince now? Ultimately schemes will adapt (look at Cam Newton yesterday) to QBs who do not have accurate throws and rely on athleticism to survive. To me the proof is the fact that Denver chose to trade Tebow for a QB who was out for a year after 4 neck surgeries. Mark Sanchez is starting ahead of him.

The argument against Vince is easier to make when you overlook the fact that he went through severe emotional issues in Tennessee beginning at a time when the time was considered overall successful- including disappearing for a period of time and being put on suicide watch. Which is a good reminder that football is still a game, like any sport, being played by actual humans (be they Christian or not).

Also, I've seen Clark beaten plenty of times, too, but everything about that game winning pass in the playoffs rang of being a singular, non-replicable, play. However, to rally off as many late wins as they did was something that Tebow had a hand in, even if it was primarily as the magical feather making Dumbo fly, that the whole offense believed in. Ben's bias seems to blind him to the fact that actual things did happen. That must be convenient. I'm not saying Tebow was amazing and will gladly acknowledge that the kicking game won a fair share of those games. However, he was on the field in those games, as a part of a team and with his hands on the ball for parts or all of some critical plays. So it would be a little foolish to act like he was just any old slouch out there bumbling his way to victory.*

Likewise, it doesn't change the fact that Sanchez chokes. The cries for Tebow will come some time this season. It will be interesting to see how a hot-headed loud mouth like Ryan handles such things. No one bellows as loud as that guy without some major insecurity or insanity beneath the surface. I suppose if he buckles we'll know it's insecurity, and if he keeps making the mistakes from the past few seasons it's insanity.

[Benjamin Burch]

The argument against Vince is easier to make when you overlook the fact that he went through severe emotional issues in Tennessee beginning at a time when the time was considered overall successful- including disappearing for a period of time and being put on suicide watch. Which is a good reminder that football is still a game, like any sport, being played by actual humans (be they Christian or not).

Also, I've seen Clark beaten plenty of times, too, but everything about that game winning pass in the playoffs rang of being a singular, non-replicable, play. However, to rally off as many late wins as they did was something that Tebow had a hand in, even if it was primarily as the magical feather making Dumbo fly, that the whole offense believed in. Ben's bias seems to blind him to the fact that actual things did happen. That must be convenient. I'm not saying Tebow was amazing and will gladly acknowledge that the kicking game won a fair share of those games. However, he was on the field in those games, as a part of a team and with his hands on the ball for parts or all of some critical plays. So it would be a little foolish to act like he was just any old slouch out there bumbling his way to victory.*

Likewise, it doesn't change the fact that Sanchez chokes. The cries for Tebow will come some time this season. It will be interesting to see how a hot-headed loud mouth like Ryan handles such things. No one bellows as loud as that guy without some major insecurity or insanity beneath the surface. I suppose if he buckles we'll know it's insecurity, and if he keeps making the mistakes from the past few seasons it's insanity.

Sanchez doesn't choke, he's just a terrible QB who happens to be a bit better than Tebow. Sanchez's career playoff statistics and records show the man can play well (somehow) in big games and big moments. I don't know of a single "choke" moment you could point to.

[Nate Pruitt]

"However, Sanchez's 56.7 completion rate from last season is far too low for a quarterback with the weapons that he had. It's also not a very good sign to see his completion percentage take a dip, as he completed just 54.1 percent of his fourth quarter passes—you do not want to see your quarterback lose his accuracy as the game goes on." Tony Santorsa in an article from the bleacherreport.com

I know Sanchez doesn't have the big blow ups that Romo has had in games, including a handful of plays that more represent Romo as a special teams player than a quarterback, but it's amazing to watch Sanchez make dump passes on first and second downs only to blow open passes on third or fourth downs. He has done this in many games- including not wasting time by starting in third quarters with performance dips when games get tight. Maybe we define choking differently. I've watched a guy consistently become a less productive player late in games (and this percentage doesn't include the unwarranted sacks he manages to take in those times). Now there are some guys who look like they couldn't miss a teammate in those moments because of the sort of valiant competitors they are. Some guys play to win, but others play hoping to high heaven they don't lose. Sanchez seems to fall in the latter camp. I do wonder if this would be less of a problem away from the New York media and Rex Ryan frenzy, though. I feel like he could be almost dominant in a venue like Kansas City.

Edit: It really does seem like it's the pressure. The Jets have (surprisingly) seemed to call the right plays in most late game instances, and the guys are there. With a receiver like Edwards, who is now gone, the dropped pass would go on the receiver but there are a lot of errant throws, and even odd penalties like delay of game at critical junctures. I do hope the guy does well, but I think there are some tell-tale reasons why neither one of us would put him in our top ten QBs, Ben.

[John O Comstock]

Is it possible God helped Tebow have a miricle year last year? I don't know but there did seem to be a lot of miraculous finishes.

[Ryan Scott]

Is it possible God helped Tebow have a miricle year last year? I don't know but there did seem to be a lot of miraculous finishes.

No. God does not help anyone win football games.

[Mike Schutz]

Sorry - but I don't get the point.

To use the word "persecuted" to describe what Christian professional athletes have to endure for their faith (possibly being placed under a microscope with the expectation that they will live consistently with their testimony - if that) is a gross misuse of the word. And to use the word "crucified" is an insult.

When did we come to the place where we believed that a core biblical teaching - that we will have to suffer for our faith, and especially the strongest among us - doesn't apply to us, instead of what it is, which is an identification with the suffering of Christ?

Golly, for folks who claim that we believe Scripture, we sure are good at ignoring the parts that aren't convenient.

[Jim Franklin]

Just refering to a secular writer who has taken note of the situation.

[Lorie Hatcliff]

I agree, they should not use the word persecuted nor crucified. Athletes are far from that. The title should be
Why are Christian athletes still being slammed by sports media?

Whether you think Tebow is a good QB or not, is not the point of this article. The point is that he is continually "slammed" because of his faith. The same has happened to Gabby Douglas by Salon magazine as well as other athletes. Let's face it, the media likes to make fun of Christians and their faith. Do we see this when other athletes are of other religions?

That is the point of the article. Not whether Tebow is a worthy quarterback or not.

[Lorie Hatcliff]

I'd like to add....this isn't a reason to whine about the slamming. What I'd personally like to know is WHY. Why does the Christian faith stand out enough that it leads to sports writers to make fun of it over all other faiths? Is it just considered "cool" now to do so?

[Mike Schutz]

Just refering to a secular writer who has taken note of the situation.

I know, Jim. Wasn't going after you, but the whole tenor of the "Woe is us - look at how poorly we are treated" whining that is a part of Christian culture in the US.

[Benjamin Burch]

Whether you think Tebow is a good QB or not, is not the point of this article. The point is that he is continually "slammed" because of his faith. The same has happened to Gabby Douglas by Salon magazine as well as other athletes. Let's face it, the media likes to make fun of Christians and their faith. Do we see this when other athletes are of other religions?

That is the point of the article. Not whether Tebow is a worthy quarterback or not.

With Tebow, it does matter whether he is a good QB at all. You either didn't read, or didn't understand my post. Tebow is not just "some Christian athlete." He is a very bad QB who is extremely popular and has a raukus fan following and gets in the media limelight and is the media darling, even though he is a terrible QB. He is so, because of his faith. Thus, his faith is what is "attacked" because he shouldn't be a popular QB. He should be unknown and irrelevant.

Thus, the only reason he is relevant is the reason he is slammed.

His poor QB play, his faith, his popularity, and his "slamming" are all tied together.

[Benjamin Burch]

Let's face it, the media likes to make fun of Christians and their faith.

Not particularly. There are plenty of Christian atheletes who aren't "slammed" for their faith, even though they've made pretty clear pronouncements about their faith.

I don't remember Reggie White ever getting slammed for his faith. Dwyane Wade has never been slammed for his faith. Josh Hamilton isn't slammed for his faith. I don't remember Kurt Warner ever being slammed for his faith. Mariano Rivera... Derek Fisher... Albert Pujols... Curt Schilling... Jake Peavy.... R.A. Dickey.

None of these are slammed for their faith. In fact, I remember Warner's faith was always spoken of as a positive in the media and Hamilto's too. The only time Hamilton has garnered attention is for relapses. Other than that, it is always part of a positive narrative, like Dickey.

I maintain that only those who try extra hard to make their Christianity the point, in an unnatural way, get slammed for it. Even then, Reggie White, Josh Hamilton, and Kurt Warner are all guilty of that, and they didn't get slammed.

Why? Because they are all-time greats at their respective sports/positions and no matter how loud they are/were about their faith, the greatness of their game was still louder, so people were okay with it. Tebow is terrible at QB, and thus people don't like it. It has everything to do with Tebow's relative worth at QB.

Do we see this when other athletes are of other religions?

No, because no athletes are popular because of their muslim faith, buddhist faith, etc. You only hear about athletes being Muslim or Buddhist when they are so good at their sport that such as Zenediene Zidan, Shaquille O'neal, Phil Jackson, and Hakeem Olajuwan.

Christianity gets "slammed" because Christianity is the dominant sociological form of religion. Why pick on minorities? It is much easier and safer to go after the majority. Also, the majority make their players popular for their faith, and not their talent, because they are a large enough majority to do it, while players from minority faiths have to earn their respect through their talent.

Of course they wouldn't get slammed.

I'd like to add....this isn't a reason to whine about the slamming. What I'd personally like to know is WHY. Why does the Christian faith stand out enough that it leads to sports writers to make fun of it over all other faiths? Is it just considered "cool" now to do so?

Like I said above. Christianity enjoys a cushy majority status. Therefore, it is brought back down to earth every now and then. Other religions do not enjoy the status of Christianity, and therefore are not treated the same and are generally honored as the minorities they are.

[Greg Farra]

A story on possible religious bigotry from the good old days:

http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/cont...years-old.html

[Nate Pruitt]

Ben is mostly right. Although Warner got mocked a few times it generally wasn't a major "persecution" or even slam, more of a "look at this guy parading his faith when we just wanted to tell him 'good game'" scenario. The far more interesting thing is how, with so few voices making such claims against Christian athletes, we want to construe the totality of the media as attacking "our guys/girls." It's true that Salon magazine's article wasn't very gracious about Gabby Douglas. Can we name any more? Out of the thousands upon thousands of articles written about her around the time of the Olympics most everyone was totally enamored with this positive, bright smiling, scripture quoting girl. She was very much America's sweetheart for that time period, and generally well received. I know because lots and lots of such memes and articles were shared all over the internet.

However, ever hoping we live lives worthy of the persecution we don't seem to be earning, should there be any naysayer we jump on it like, "Woe is us! The MEDIA hates Christians!" Nope. One journalist has a chip on their shoulder, probably with good reason by how they were treated by church goers at some point in time, and those feelings will be affirmed by the thorough flaming they'll receive by similarly minded church folk in the comments section of their article as well as in the editorial mail bag. Yay! That will teach such writers they were wrong!

Once again, the reason why Tebow is scorned isn't because he's a terrible QB, he's a backup QB and somewhere in the top 40 or 50 active quarterbacks in professional football. The reason why he is scorned is because no media types will miss that he's a sex symbol. Not only that but he's a sex symbol and marketing tool to reach a demographic that is supposed to be too holy for sex symbols. Why should a backup quarterback be on the cover of a magazine at the start of the football season? Why would he have so many endorsement deals? Because sex sells.

Now Tim isn't doing anything pornographic, per se (depending on just how prudish you are about posing with a shirt off), but there is a sexuality that sells. He can't be missing this point. I know plenty of women and teenage girls who haven't missed the point. I'm glad that Tim speaks up about abortion and other topics, I'm glad he doesn't shy away from his faith when questioned about it, and I think his heart for being generous and kind to others is absolutely generous. He was raised into this life and walk, and was raised well. Still, I haven't heard a whole lot of hubbub about Charlie Whitehurst, Brock Osweiler, or Graham Harrell (also backup QBs). They, like Tim, aren't terrible QBs, but none have earned the starting roll. They, unlike Tim, don't get magazine covers and endorsement deals. Please stop missing the point. He isn't heralded in the secular media because of his faith first, but because of his face (looks). His faith just means that GQ can sell a magazine that also says, "Bad a** watches" "Sexy girls!" "Champagne!" and "Inside the Hottest Club on the Planet" on the cover to a bunch of Christians, plenty who aren't even male. I'm not sexist, it just seems odd that a female would purchase Gentleman's Quarterly unless there was some ulterior motive.

Now for the reasons above you'll definitely have some members within the media get a bit chippy about Tim Tebow. How do you think non-Christian members of the media will understand the two faced response of all those great Christian folk who practically vowed to always hate Janet Jackson and possibly boycott the Super Bowl if things didn't change? We HATE sexuality! Oh, but we do get lost in Tim's eyes...

[Benjamin Burch]

Ben is mostly right. Although Warner got mocked a few times it generally wasn't a major "persecution" or even slam, more of a "look at this guy parading his faith when we just wanted to tell him 'good game'" scenario. The far more interesting thing is how, with so few voices making such claims against Christian athletes, we want to construe the totality of the media as attacking "our guys/girls." It's true that Salon magazine's article wasn't very gracious about Gabby Douglas. Can we name any more? Out of the thousands upon thousands of articles written about her around the time of the Olympics most everyone was totally enamored with this positive, bright smiling, scripture quoting girl. She was very much America's sweetheart for that time period, and generally well received. I know because lots and lots of such memes and articles were shared all over the internet.

However, ever hoping we live lives worthy of the persecution we don't seem to be earning, should there be any naysayer we jump on it like, "Woe is us! The MEDIA hates Christians!" Nope. One journalist has a chip on their shoulder, probably with good reason by how they were treated by church goers at some point in time, and those feelings will be affirmed by the thorough flaming they'll receive by similarly minded church folk in the comments section of their article as well as in the editorial mail bag. Yay! That will teach such writers they were wrong!

Once again, the reason why Tebow is scorned isn't because he's a terrible QB, he's a backup QB and somewhere in the top 40 or 50 active quarterbacks in professional football. The reason why he is scorned is because no media types will miss that he's a sex symbol. Not only that but he's a sex symbol and marketing tool to reach a demographic that is supposed to be too holy for sex symbols. Why should a backup quarterback be on the cover of a magazine at the start of the football season? Why would he have so many endorsement deals? Because sex sells.

Now Tim isn't doing anything pornographic, per se (depending on just how prudish you are about posing with a shirt off), but there is a sexuality that sells. He can't be missing this point. I know plenty of women and teenage girls who haven't missed the point. I'm glad that Tim speaks up about abortion and other topics, I'm glad he doesn't shy away from his faith when questioned about it, and I think his heart for being generous and kind to others is absolutely generous. He was raised into this life and walk, and was raised well. Still, I haven't heard a whole lot of hubbub about Charlie Whitehurst, Brock Osweiler, or Graham Harrell (also backup QBs). They, like Tim, aren't terrible QBs, but none have earned the starting roll. They, unlike Tim, don't get magazine covers and endorsement deals. Please stop missing the point. He isn't heralded in the secular media because of his faith first, but because of his face (looks). His faith just means that GQ can sell a magazine that also says, "Bad a** watches" "Sexy girls!" "Champagne!" and "Inside the Hottest Club on the Planet" on the cover to a bunch of Christians, plenty who aren't even male. I'm not sexist, it just seems odd that a female would purchase Gentleman's Quarterly unless there was some ulterior motive.

Now for the reasons above you'll definitely have some members within the media get a bit chippy about Tim Tebow. How do you think non-Christian members of the media will understand the two faced response of all those great Christian folk who practically vowed to always hate Janet Jackson and possibly boycott the Super Bowl if things didn't change? We HATE sexuality! Oh, but we do get lost in Tim's eyes...

I just don't think women make up a large enough part of the sports market. Likewise, one has to explain why so many male voices support Tebow. Is it because he's a beautiful sex symbol? Or because he's Christian?

[Bob Hunter]

He led an inept offense that struggled to score points and was only in a position to win games because their defense played out of their minds. Let's not pretend. QBs don't win 13 point games. Defenses do. Every composite rating said Tebow was horrible.

NFL Passer Rating: 72.9 (27th)
ESPN Total QBR: 29.9 (31st)
Football Outsiders DVOA: -22.7% (37th)
Football Outsiders DYAR: -221 (40th)
Advanced NFL Stats EPA/P: -0.05 (35th)
Pro-Football-Reference ANY/A: 4.8 (27th)

The guy played terribly and was among the absolute worst QBs in the NFL. He isn't a "winner" and doesn't "find ways to win." He was put in favorable situations by his team and by opponents. There is no such thing as someone who "finds ways to win" even when they play that poorly consistently. There are lucky people who have teams that win for them and put them in favorable positions despite their poor play. If they'd given up 5 more points each game, Tebow wouldn't have won a game.

So...He still won 6 straight games and pulled off Five 4th quarter comebacks that defied logic and confounded his opponents. Who cares if he can't pass above 50%, that's not always required to win. Did you see Brandon Weeden's QBR Sunday? Yeah, and the Browns almost won. How can he not be a winner, when he went 8-5 as a starter. That is still technically winning isn't it?

[Nate Pruitt]

I just don't think women make up a large enough part of the sports market. Likewise, one has to explain why so many male voices support Tebow. Is it because he's a beautiful sex symbol? Or because he's Christian?

I'm not sure Cali gives a good representation. I know tons of ladies from the Plains, Midwest & South that are voracious football fans. And I mean thousands!! Also, guys traditionally approve of handsome men. It does have bearing in presidential elections. There is TONS of research on how looks change our perspectives on people in psychological journals and general publications at this point. Certainly you've run across at least one.

[Jon Privett]

Everyone who dislikes Tebow should read his autobiography....."Through My Eyes"....it is really amazing how clear his witness is and how serious he is about athletics. So, it dismantles the male myth that strong men are not spiritual and that you can be spiritually strong and serious about God.

It read like a devotional for me. It took me 10 years to go from 225 bench press to 375 and Tebow was doing 400 in college. And he curled 65 pounds over 300 times at a men's retreat. That kind of stuff is something you don't usually get out of Billy Graham.

I am not sure why everyone dislikes Tebow....he is unconventional in everyway.....but then again I am a Broncos fan and I got an early Christmas present when Manning led them to a victory over the Steelers.

By the way, what other Nazarene pastor has a two Tebow Playmaker action figures, one a Bronco and one a Jet.

Haha,

Jon

[Nate Pruitt]

I'm starting to think you hate Tebow because he's sexy, Ben.

[Nate Pruitt]

Everyone who dislikes Tebow should read his autobiography....."Through My Eyes"....it is really amazing how clear his witness is and how serious he is about athletics. So, it dismantles the male myth that strong men are not spiritual and that you can be spiritually strong and serious about God.

It read like a devotional for me. It took me 10 years to go from 225 bench press to 375 and Tebow was doing 400 in college. And he curled 65 pounds over 300 times at a men's retreat. That kind of stuff is something you don't usually get out of Billy Graham.

I am not sure why everyone dislikes Tebow....he is unconventional in everyway.....but then again I am a Broncos fan and I got an early Christmas present when Manning led them to a victory over the Steelers.

By the way, what other Nazarene pastor has a two Tebow Playmaker action figures, one a Bronco and one a Jet.

Haha,

Jon

Billy Graham can move mountains!!!

[Gina Stevenson]

Billy Graham can move mountains!!!

Don't know about that, but they do live on one, don't they? Seems I've read that somewhere long ago.

[Nate Pruitt]

Don't know about that, but they do live on one, don't they? Seems I've read that somewhere long ago.

I believe they do in North Carolina, yes.