Star QB Tebow brings religion to the football field
SEATTLE -- With five last-minute comeback wins on his NFL resume, it's easy to see why Tim Tebow is getting unprecedented media attention.
But it's the second-year quarterback's public celebration of faith that really has people talking.
Tebow uses the Lord's name before, during and after his games. He's been doing it since he played Pee Wee football, but now his games are featured on national TV.
Doctor Chap Clark of Seattle's Fuller Theological Seminary said that while Tebow does thank the Lord for his wining touchdown passes, he doesn't push his agenda and isn't trying to force people to agree with him.
"At what point are we saying to somebody, 'You're not a part of this God that I have,' a we/they kind of attitude," Clark said. "That's when it's over the line. I don't think he's over the line."
Clark said Tebow has brought the conversation of faith into the public eye, which strikes a familiar chord in Tumwater.
During a 2010 playoff game at the Tacoma Dome, Tumwater High School football player Ronnie Hastie celebrated a touchdown with a quick kneel and prayer.
That led to a 15-yard penalty for drawing attention to himself, and it kicked off a media fire storm about the role of religion in sports.
After dealing with all the hoopla that came with the penalty, Hastie can understand where Tebow is coming from.
"I think it's evident his identity is found in Jesus," Hastie said of Tebow. "To me that's a great thing."
Tebow has taken his share of criticism from commentators and fellow players, but his performance on Sunday will likely bring him even more fans.
In defeating the storied Pittsburgh Steelers, Tebow had 10 completions, two touchdown passes and threw for 316 yards.
And that number -- 316 -- has special significance for Tebow. During his time in college, Tebow used to stencil the Bible verse John 3:16 in his eye black.
Divine intervention or coincidence?
"I think God's blessing his efforts," Hastie said. " I know he's having a great time playing football, and I'm becoming a Bronco fan."
After Sunday's playoff win, Tebow broke a news sports record on Twitter, at one point averaging more than 9,400 tweets per second.
But it's the second-year quarterback's public celebration of faith that really has people talking.
Tebow uses the Lord's name before, during and after his games. He's been doing it since he played Pee Wee football, but now his games are featured on national TV.
Doctor Chap Clark of Seattle's Fuller Theological Seminary said that while Tebow does thank the Lord for his wining touchdown passes, he doesn't push his agenda and isn't trying to force people to agree with him.
"At what point are we saying to somebody, 'You're not a part of this God that I have,' a we/they kind of attitude," Clark said. "That's when it's over the line. I don't think he's over the line."
Clark said Tebow has brought the conversation of faith into the public eye, which strikes a familiar chord in Tumwater.
During a 2010 playoff game at the Tacoma Dome, Tumwater High School football player Ronnie Hastie celebrated a touchdown with a quick kneel and prayer.
That led to a 15-yard penalty for drawing attention to himself, and it kicked off a media fire storm about the role of religion in sports.
After dealing with all the hoopla that came with the penalty, Hastie can understand where Tebow is coming from.
"I think it's evident his identity is found in Jesus," Hastie said of Tebow. "To me that's a great thing."
Tebow has taken his share of criticism from commentators and fellow players, but his performance on Sunday will likely bring him even more fans.
In defeating the storied Pittsburgh Steelers, Tebow had 10 completions, two touchdown passes and threw for 316 yards.
And that number -- 316 -- has special significance for Tebow. During his time in college, Tebow used to stencil the Bible verse John 3:16 in his eye black.
Divine intervention or coincidence?
"I think God's blessing his efforts," Hastie said. " I know he's having a great time playing football, and I'm becoming a Bronco fan."
After Sunday's playoff win, Tebow broke a news sports record on Twitter, at one point averaging more than 9,400 tweets per second.
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