Let’s get this straight. I am no Gator fan plain and simple.
But I have noticed that the Florida Gators have had some outspoken Christian quarterbacks in recent years. First to my mind is Danny Wuerffel who, after a brief career in the NFL, began Desire Street Ministries, an organization dedicated to ministering to the urban center of New Orleans, Louisiana (see history here).
Tim Tebow, current quarterback of the Florida Gators, is the son of missionary parents to the Philippines. In a recent interview at The New York Times blog (of all places), Tebow shares a little about his childhood, speaking schedule, and preaching in the prisons. Tebow shares,
“My ultimate goal is not to stand there with three championships rings. When God asks me what I did to help others, I can give him more than three championship rings.”
While I enjoyed the interview, I am still not a Gator fan.
ahh, once again another reason to love the Gators. That and our 52-20 beat down of Tennessee that we just dished out. 🙂
Micah,
Check that. 59-20.
I guess Coach doesn’t want to repeat the BCS controversy with not enough “style” points!
Tebow just kicked our (Tenn.) tail! I have every reason to hate him, but I respect him.
Steve,
It could be worse.
Ask those wearing orange and blue in the plains of Alabama. 😉
I am a Noles fan, but since Spurrier is gone and since I like Urban Meyer (sp?), I am back to liking Florida also. I was raised in Florida and I went to Southeastern University, not either of the schools, so I have a reason to like both- though I take FSU (lousy as they may be this year) over anybody.
Didn’t expect that score against Tennessee.
Sorry Timmy, you are correct. I’m glad to make that mistake. 🙂
ROLL TIDE ROLL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adam,
That sure was a nail biter! It would not have been so bad if Alabama had not quite playing in the 3rd quarter! I’m just glad that I don’t have to face the music by Evan and Leah in our care group tomorrow morning!
3-0 baby! It’s been a long time.
ahh, once again another reason to love the Gators. That and our 52-20 beat down of Tennessee that we just dished out.
Oh, shut up. 😉
Just wait til Cutcliffe gets about 2 more recruiting classes then let’s siddown and do this the manly way — with barbecue and sweet tea.
I am curious about Tebow’s ministry, though – he says 195 people came forward during his two prison visits. If true, he could be the next Billy Graham (so to speak) if God has so ordained.
Re: Tebow,
I am quite leery about pointing to star athletes or popular figures when it comes to our Christian faith, but from everything I have heard (from both Christians and non-Christians), Tebow is legit. While I probably disagree with some of his evangelistic practices, I was heartened by his desire to see souls saved and reach out to the needy (as in the Philippines) and the outcast (as in prisons).
Yes, indeed. What I am noticing as I reflect on your comment above is a sad trend among us to want to know “what the catch is” about someone like Tebow. My first reaction when I saw the number he claimed “came forward,” I was like, “Yeah, whatever. And I can hear as clear as a bell.” 😉
Of course, remembering Billy Graham and how hundreds would do just that at his crusades, I had to stop and ask if he is really telling the truth.
The more I thought of it, the more I was reminded of when Deion Sanders purportedly came to faith. No one believed him, and many still don’t. I would venture an opinion that most Christians who aspire to be biblical are at the very minimum fence riders on Sanders, as I am to this day. Why is that? Are we so skeptical that we can’t accept what appears to be the real deal (that is, someone like Tebow) at face value?
For those of you who don’t get my little wisecrack about Tebow, I’m Deaf.
*Bell rings clearly for those who only heard the sonic boom of my joke flying over their heads* 😉
Thanks for that link.
I am not a Gator fan either. I might have to pull for Tebow after reading that.
I don’t think I’ll ever be a Gator “fan,” but you have to like a team that continually attracts such men.
What, you are not a Gator fan! I am incredulous! Everyone should be a Gator fan!
Tim’s legit. One of my few claims to fame is that his dad was my youth minister when I first got saved. I went away to college before Tim was born so never knew him, but all I hear about him is that he is faithfully walking with Christ. I’m always afraid when someone that young gets that much fame but he seems to be handling it well. If the fame ever goes to his head I am quite sure his dad will address that.
Mr. Jollyblogger,
I have been reading about your gloating over Jared Bridges and his Vols, and at this point I must consider it adiaphora. However, if you want to mention the running of the bull (UCF) through Toomer’s Square or the bite of the bulldogs at Jordan-Hare, than that is another thing altogether. 😉 Fortunately for us Bama fans, our team decided to start playing again with five minutes left in the game!
Tim seems really level-headed and open about who he is as a believer. I just cannot figure out how a Christian can justify wearing such sinful colors as orange and blue. I just hope that it does not become a stumbling block for us weaker brothers.
Timmy-
It’s good to see you self identify Bama fans as “weaker brothers.” I’ve been trying to make that point for years.
😉
I had no idea about ole Tebow. What exactly does he go in and preach, is it pretty much straight up the Gospel? Thanks for the heads up…I can take his gatorness a lot better that way. At any rate, Roll Tide Roll!
James L
Timmy – just a technical matter to get your state of Florida acronyms in order – that would be USF, not UCF running through Toomers corner. The good folks from the University of South Florida may not appreciate being confused with their neighbors at the University of Central Florida. Although, credit to UCF – they put a scare into them Longhorns last week.
I’m with Micah – glad that we have established that Bama fans are “weaker brothers.” I’d say ‘see you in Atlanta,” but LSU is going to be hard to beat in the west this year.
As to the allegedly “sinful” colors of orange and blue, I’ll leave you with a little rhyme we kids used to say back in Florida.
Which would God choose?
The sky is Orange and Blue . . .
Does that give you a clue?
So Micah and David going dogpilin’ on my home turf . . .
I’m going to have to recruit some more from the Sabanation over here at P&P. We may be the weaker brothers, but we got the four million dollar coach. 🙂
Oh, and indeed, we will see you in hot ‘Lanta baby!
Hey Timmy, I’m a church planter in Platteville, WI who works with Micah’s dad and pulls for the right team. I appreciate Tebow’s amazing athletic skills and strong faith, he won’t be in the swamp forever…
ROLL TIDE ROLL!
“Sabanation?” That sounds eerily similar in pronunciation and definition to “abomination.” *w00t*
😉
I gotcha back Tim. Whatcha gonna do when the Tide comes Rollin down on you brother!!!
Jeff,
Any relation to Tom or Bill?
Stephen,
Sabanation also sounds like domination. Rocky Top better get some offense going before the elephant comes a’stompin’ . . .
Great interview and I am STILL a GATOR fan!!! Ole Miss gave us a scare today, though.
Tim Tebow is apparently the real deal, let’s pray for him, how about that?
Hey Jolly, I am a UCF alum, and was at that Texas game last week, and so thank you for straightening that out. I also pastor a church right here in Gator Country, so you know what is coming next…
GO GATORS!!!
Anybody catch his Heismann acceptance speech…. Gave all the credit to Jesus Christ (3 times) for his athletic ability. Check out his father’s website at btea.org.