Tim Tebow to Florida

I realize that most of my readers don't care about football the way I do, nor do they care about the University of Florida football the way I do.  I understand that all of the orange and blue on my blog is quite garish and most of you politely put up with it.  But, this is a day of rejoicing for the Gator Nation as Tim Tebow, of Nease High School, in Jacksonville, FL has committed to go to Florida.  This was after a fierce recruiting battle that included Michigan, LSU, and USC but which finally came down to Alabama and Florida.  Bammers and Gators have been sweating this one for awhile and the Gators are happy to have won out.

One recruiting service had Tim ranked as the #12 QB prospect in the nation but he is the #1 ranked dual threat QB.  This will fit perfectly with Urban Meyer's new spread offense.  I can't wait to see him exchange the white jersey he is wearing here for the orange and blue.

But the reason I am especially excited is that Tim is a fine Christian young man.  He was on ESPNews announcing his decision today and the first person he thanked was his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And I am especially excited because Tim's dad was my youth minister when I first came to Christ.  So, though I really don't know Tim, I know the family well and know he has had a good upbringing.  Tim's dad heads the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association and you can follow the link to read all about his work in the Phillippines. 

As a sidenote I've got to send major kudos to Bob.  If you follow the link to his ministry site you will notice that he's not pumping up his son Tim.  Lots of parents with talented kids go Hollywood in this situation and I think you can see Bob's character here.  His focus is remaining on Christ, not making a superstar of his son.

I worry about these young athletes who attain stardom at such an early age.  This is why I wrote a couple of posts about Dwight Howard, the fine young Christian B-Ball player who signed with the Orlando Magic straight out of High School.  Some folks took my words about Dwight as criticisms of him, but that wasn't the point at all.  I was concerned that, with all of the fame and notoriety Dwight was attaining at such a young age, that this would adversely impact his walk with Christ.  He already was dealing with many folks who were looking at him as a ticket to get rich and to be thrust into such a situation is very spiritually difficult for anyone, especially a young person.

I have some of the same concerns for Tim.  He already has attained rock star status in Jacksonville and Gainesville.  The expectations for his college football career are already off the charts, and this concerns me.

However, knowing his parents as I do, I think if anyone is spiritually prepared for this it will be Tim.  Although it has been years since I have talked to his dad, I know him well enough to know that if Tim ever steps out of line spiritually his dad will be all over him, even if he's receiving the Heisman Trophy at the time.

I also wanted to mention that Tim, along with his four siblings, was homeschooled through his senior year of high school.  Homeschoolers get unfairly criticized for all kinds of things, treated as if they are inferior socially, intellectually, athletically and in all kinds of ways.  I'm glad to see someone like Tim doing so well to help dispel some of these misconceptions.  So, let me encourage you homeschoolers to keep an eye on Tim in the coming years - he's one among many you can point to that will dispel some of the urban myths about homeschoolers.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday December 14th, ESPN2 has a one hour special about Tim which I understand may be in the tradition of Hoop Dreams. ESPN2 has had a fim crew following Tim around this past year documenting his life and the recruiting process.  My best buddy Scott who still lives in Jax and keeps in touch with the Tebow's told me they even followed Tim to the Phillippines this year on a mission trip.  So, I'm hoping with that and hopefully some footage of him being homeschooled we'll see a positive witness for Christ and a wonderful example of a homeschooled kid on national TV.  The show is called "The Season," and will be on ESPN2 at 10:00pm.

For all of my church folks and local friends I'll be Tivo-ing the show so if anyone wants to come over and watch it you can.

And hey look at this - the Free Republic has a nice post about Tim.

And check out this Orlando Sentinel account of Tim's ministry in the Philippines.

 

Comments

[Matt]

As a fellow PCA minister and loyal Bama fan, let me extend my congratulations to Tim and the Gator nation while letting you in on the disappointment in Tide country for not being able to reel Tim into the Alabama family. Everything that I've heard from people in Tuscaloosa who have been around Tim on visits to the campus, the guy's the real deal - both as a player and as a Christian young man. My prayers are with him - the stage he is on is given way too much importance (I think everyone quit working in Alabama about 30 minutes before Tim's announcement and are taking a day off tomorrow to mourn!) but in God's providence, it's the stage he is on. May he use it for God's glory and the joy of all peoples.

[Jason]

As a M.Div. student at RTS and a Clemson fan, thanks for not letting Spurrier get this one at USC.

[JasonRobertson]

Can't wait till he comes to Baton Rouge and tries to run from the Tigers.:)

[Carmen T]

I care about football. Just not college. NFL, Minnesota Vikings. But congratulations to this young man. May his talent in football take him where God wants him.

[David Wayne]

Carmen - thanks for stopping by tonight. I'm a University of Florida grad so Gator football is in my blood, plus I know Tim's family.

I'm also a Vikes fan - have been since I was a little boy. Very disappointed to hear today's news though about Daunte getting charged in that little, ahem, incident. I lived in Ocala, FL when Daunte was in high school there. He was Mr. everything then and I never saw him play a down of HS ball. I'm kicking myself for that. But I'm kicking myself a lot softer after today's news.

[Brian Russell]

Cool personal link to Tim Tebow. I hope that all goes well for him. He certainly now has high expectations to live up to. I've been amazed at the press in Central Florida and nationally. I was in Kentucky when Tim Couch announced that he would attend UK instead of the U of Tennessee. I hope that Tim T. is at least as successful as Tim C. was at UK.

[Charlie]

It is my fervent hope that Tim follows in the footsteps of another fine young Christian man at QB for the Gators: Danny Wuerffel

[Heather]

I'm so glad to have stumbled across a site that is friendly towards Tebow, homeschoolers, and Christ in general! Let his light shine, he is now big enough to make waves for God, and I pray that he will remain strong under the temptations that will thrust themselves upon him. He will do well! He'll win a superbowl someday!

[TulipGirl]

Pastor Jolly. . . I thought we were friends. Now I find out you are a Gator fan?

*sigh*

So disillusioned.

Only 'Noles,
TulipGirl

[David Wayne]

Tulip Girl a Nole? Say it ain't so . . . And what becomes of all those children?

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JJ]

Just a short note to correct your assertion that Tim played for a Jacksonville High School. He played for Nease in Saint Augustine, which is definitely better than Jacksonville. Thanks, and go Gators!

[niko]

Christians crack me up. No offense.

[Shaysa]

Hi! I know Tim. But, I don't think he knows me. He knows my brother, Jai Eugene and I tell Jai all the time how I think Tim is soooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!

P.S. He is really good in football and I wish him the best luck 2 him at Florida!!!!!

[David Wayne]

Shaysa - thanks for commenting. Tell Jai it's not too late to rescind his LOI and come to UF - then he could play with Tim instead of against him!

[Meg]

As a Christian and an athlete, I'm attracted to this boy. His work ethic and style are compelling. One more thing, Tim will you have my babies? I'll definately be watching you from now on. Keep up the good work stud! xoxo

[Suzie]

I hope that every christian keeps this young man "Tim" and his family in their prayers every day... I hope and pray he will make an impact in our future atheletes and it will also show society that home school kids usually have higher standards and accademic requirements for thir children..

[mollie]

hey i saw the whole game against the gators and lsu. the pass u maid was ah-mahzing!!! i was shocked,but congrads!!! my friend and i lov u so0o0 much ur defentally a hottie. u know what they say every hottie wit a body,needs a cutie wit a boody{ass}. lol

[Bill Grandy]

Wow! Man, I wish my Tarheels could get a fine young man like Tim Tebow. You Gators are fortunate to have him and I wish him great success. All I can do is wait untill basketball season. Go Heels!!!!!!!

[Mary]

Tim,
You are a great football player for us... and i really love seeing you around school....keep up the good work and good luck this year!

[Hannah Taylor]

Tim,
You are a GREAT football player! You are probably the best QB we've ahd for a LONG time!You are my favorite football player and can't wait till next football season when you be in the game all the time.

,Hannah Taylor

[Andy]

Check out GoTebow.com need some ideas?
Thanks,
Andy

[Andy]

Check out GoTebow.com

[abbey lindsey]

Can anyone help me find a Tim Tebow shirt for my husband!!

thanks!!

[Jim]

www.Tim-Tebow.com is for sale.
Ebay Item # 230064240104

[JOSH]

GREAT GAME! IAM SO EXCITED FOR NEXT SEASON ALREADY. I WOULD LOVE TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET A TIM TEBOW JERSEY. LET ME KNOW A PRICE AND IF THATS POSSIBLE. CHECK OUT MY URL IM A HUGE FAN BORN AND RAISED IN OMAHA, NE AND A GATOR FAN.

JOSH