NOLD: Tebow deserves admiration

Tim Tebow is a laudable young man and certain people love to hate him, while many others love and admire him.

Unfortunately, the misguided opinions of the Tebow haters more frequently let their opinions be heard, and more often than not, the scornful voices of the few trump the quiet approval of the majority.

For those who are haters of Tim Tebow, he's like a thorn in their side. He's possibly the most honorable young celebrity in our society, a role model for kids, to many the definition of what it means to walk in the light of God and the true definition of a real man. For those who say Tim Tebow specifically uses God to advance his stardom, this article is for you.  

I believe in Tim Tebow and everything for which he stands. He is, in so many ways, the person I want to be every day. No, it isn't his touchdown runs or miraculous comebacks, but it's his heart, unquenchable drive and gentle kindness that make me almost jealous.

Tim Tebow is a Christian in the purest sense. He openly shows his faith to the world on prime-time television. Anytime he scores a touchdown, he faithfully gives the glory to God. He thanks Jesus for every game won. Every game he loses, he thanks God for the chance to play.

God didn't give the game to Tebow to win. God didn't win it for him and Tebow certainly doesn't use God to pull a bigger fan base. In fact, if you see the real picture, Tebow doesn't use God at all. It's God who uses him. God uses his athletic talent, hard work and center stage to showcase what a real and compassionate man is all about.

God doesn't care who wins the game at the end of the day. God cares only for humankind. He cares about how we treat each other. He cares that we treat one another with respect. Tim Tebow does more than this. He not only shows respect for others, but personifies humility with his attitude. He goes out of his way to help others on and off of the field.

Rick Reilly's article "I Believe in Tim Tebow" showcases who Tim Tebow really is off the field. He doesn't speak of his performance as an athlete, but instead focuses on the Tebow no one really knows.

In his article, Reilly describes how Tebow chooses someone who is suffering or dying, and gives that person the experience of a lifetime. He flies the person and his or her family to the game, puts them up in a hotel, buys them dinner and gets them pregame passes. He visits with them just before kickoff, and after the game is over, talks with them for an hour before he walks back with them to his car. To top it all off, he leaves them with a basket of gifts. He does this every game, win or lose, no matter what. He does it over and over.

Despite the intensity of the gridiron, his focus instantly shifts to his guests once the game is over. He may be a quarterback on the field, but postgame, he's their fan. He pulls other players in to meet his guests, and makes sure they're the center of attention.  

While Tebow serves individuals at a personal level, he has also started the Tim Tebow Foundation as a way to reach far greater numbers in an effort to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. This foundation is geared toward building a hospital in the Philippines to help needy children. Its purpose is to allow treatment for simple ailments that would hinder those children's abilities to live and learn.

I must state again that Tebow doesn't care about stardom, but instead uses the position he is blessed with to help others. However, if this doesn't sway your Tebow-hating conscience, maybe this will.

Tim Tebow is a true role model. He's the person young children and even other athletes can aspire to be. Look at Tiger Woods and Ben Roethlisberger, for example. Both have rabid fans and amazing athletic talent, yet morally, both have proven to be depraved individuals whose sexual antics, among other problems, make them inadequate role models.

Unlike Woods and Roethlisberger, the Tebow you see is the Tebow you get. A man among men, whose goal in life is to serve God, make a difference in God's eyes, not man's, and encourage others to do the same. His kind heart, gentle but determined demeanor and giving attitude are qualities to be admired.

Whether Tebow's athletic talents are given to him by God is another argument altogether. He believes they are, just like many Christians, but the truth is, when we die, none of that will matter. Tebow knows this. The truth is, if he can make anyone feel better, or make a difference in any way in someone's life, then life was worth living.