Tebow NEEDS to TEBOW

Since starting "Just Phil" or any of the sports blogs I also maintain, I refrained from commenting on the sport of American football. This, however, is more than a football story.

What is tebowing?

Since his first start of the 2011 NFL campaign against the Dolphins in Miami, Denver Broncos star quarterback Tim Tebow captured the hearts and minds of the football world from fantasy team pundits to little kids, from die-hard fans to occasional channel surfers, and from adults looking for something to believe and kids looking for heroesto believe in. After winning another epic, back-and-forth battle in Minnesota against the Vikings, the Broncos won six of their last seven games since Tebow became the starting quarterback. Coupled with the notoriety for winning football games by 'miraculous finishes' is the notoriety Tim Tebow receives for his public displays of his faith before, during, and after football games: Praying on the field.

Why is this a problem for so many people? For one hour on Sunday, Tim Tebow requires an extra amount from God, not to win the game, but to get through the day in one piece, so he kneels and prays. I'm not an expert or a mind reader, but from following him from his Heisman trophy, and national championship winning days at the University of Florida, I hope he is praying for the safety of all the players at the game, the fans in the stands, and all people who love football, in general.

Why does Tim Tebow pray on the field? Perhaps a better question requires a more compelling answer: What happens during that provokes Tim Tebow to pray on the field? Better still, what happened during the week leading up to the game that provokes Tim Tebow to pray on the field during a Broncos game? Let's start from the end of the Thursday night game against the New York Jets on November 17th.

1. Prayer huddle after the game with football players from both teams thanking God for the ability to play and for the safety of the players during the game.
2. Post-game on field interview with NFL Network broadcasters and former players.
3. Post-game interviews in locker room.
4. Drive back on clogged highways from the stadium.
5. Return to team facility to rehab.
6. Attend team meetings on Monday and Tuesday, possible discussion with coach John Fox, review game film.
7. Rehab minor injuries because tackling hurts o_O
8. Team practice with pads on Wednesday.
9. Press conference for quarterbacks across the NFL on Wednesday.
10. Review film on next week's opponent, which would the San Diego Chargers, on November 27th.
11. Memorize new set of plays from playbook for the San Diego game.
12. Improve on passing drills so not to be one-dimensional on the field.
13. Learn which teammates are out, questionable, or probable to play in the upcoming game.
14. Another interview with someone from NFL Network.
15. Team discussion about gameplan before flying to San Diego for the Sunday game.
16. Flight to San Diego.
17. Bus to hotel.
18. Fans of both teams waiting for Broncos bus at stadium; some are shouting words of encouragement, and others are shouting. o_O
19. Pre-game warmups and prayer.
20. Pre-game banter from Chargers fans talking about what the defense will do to Tim Tebow when he is on the field (I'm paraphrasing o_O).
21. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers wants to shake hands and say something before the game.
22. San Diego coach Norv Turner wants to shake hands and say something before the game.
23. The small defensive players Tebow analyzed on game film during the week look much bigger in person. o_O
24. On-field distractions (goofy mascot, fans with too much beer, fans with too much makeup, fans without shirts, fans without common sense, cheerleaders, etc.).
25. The national anthem, and final opportunity to prepare thoughts for game.
26. First offensive possession of the game for Denver Broncos.
27. First huddle and recall of opening play to start drive.
28. First look at defense before taking the snap.
29. Audible at the line?
30. HUT!

These are only thirty of the things Tim Tebow must deal with on an ongoing basis. To repeat this process week after week, and maintain that vertical perspective on life and ultimate dependence on God to stay up for one more day, one more game, and one more play requires not only faith, but intense courage as well. Tim Tebow doesn't want to pray during the game; Tim Tebow NEEDS to pray! WE NEED TIM TEBOW TO PRAY!

NFL critics and former players voted Colts quarterback Peyton Manning as the eighth greatest football player of all-time; that is eighth of about tens of thousands of players over ninety plus years of professional football. Manning's mental approach, passing prowess, physical ability, and leadership are valuable assets to any football team, and without him calling the plays on the field his Indianapolis Colts are without a win so far this season. Tim Tebow doesn't list very highly on a lot of football top tens, but he more than makes up for his ugly passes and scrambling ways with what you can't teach: Desire, determination, dedication, the ability to lower the shoulder and run through "Revis Island" for one more yard, or break containment and run for twenty yards on a last second touchdown, the know-how to throw a stiff arm to extend a play against a hostile defense hungry for victory in their stadium, and the belief in a 1-4 team to score 15 points with less than five minutes to go in the fourth quarter to TIE the game.

Tim Tebow has it, and whatever he lacks he...prays for, because it is not by his strength he does all those 'miraculous' things on the field, but only by 'His strength' alone. No doubt there are teammates and management types of the Denver Broncos, who do not share Tim Tebow's beliefs, but they are just as excited and willing to support Tebow on this improbable an unconventional journey.

Whatever the outcome, whether it is a Super Bowl, conference final, playoff game, or whatever, it defies convention, but it feels so right to be a part of ^_^

Yea, Tebow! ^_^