You think Brady had heard enough of the Tebow talk this week?

[CAGiantFan]

What if Tebow had all the same intangibles and were a Muslim? Where would be the love then? It's not his religious devotion that matters, it's his Christian devotion that drives the story with the passion it entails. 

Being Muslim didn't seem to hurt Ali or Kareem too much.  In fact, as I recall, Ali was honored by being the one chosen to light the torch for the '96 Olympics in Atlanta.

[BlueMoshik]

What if Tebow had all the same intangibles and were a Muslim? Where would be the love then? It's not his religious devotion that matters, it's his Christian devotion that drives the story with the passion it entails. 

Being Muslim didn't seem to hurt Ali or Kareem too much.  In fact, as I recall, Ali was honored by being the one chosen to light the torch for the '96 Olympics in Atlanta.

By 1996 Ali was a frail sick man with Parkinsons. When he was in his prime, of course being a Muslim (of a specific type) hurt him in public opinion. Loads of people openly rooted against him, or hated him, because of what he represented.

But even Ali didn't mention Allah before and after every fight. He kept his beliefs mostly to himself, which is the American way.

[BlueMoshik]

Also, tons of NFL players are believing Christians and I would think they didn't always appreciate Tebow thanking Jesus Christ personally for his comeback wins. As one sportswriter pointed out yesterday, Tebow might want to thank Jesus for his interceptions and losses, it would be a better teaching moment.

He thanks his Lord and Savior at the beginning of every post-game interview, win or lose, good performance or poor.  So that sportswriter was just taking a cheap shot.  And you have never heard him thank Him for the comeback wins, he is thanking Him for his life, his salvation, his talents, his opportunities, etc., acknowledging that every good thing in his life comes from Him, not from his (Tebow's) personal merits.

But it is easier for people to take cheap shots than to try to understand what he is actually saying.

I think this is part of the issue. For lots of people, Jesus Christ is not implicated directly in the ups and downs of Tebow's fortunes. I think a lot of Christian players would prefer that he give himself (and probably his teammates, especially his defense) credit for the good things that happen to him on the football field, rather than his Lord and Savior. The relationship between Tebow and Jesus Christ is his own business and maybe shouldn't be the focus of everyone's attention. In this regard he takes it a little too far, even though ultimately it's all quite harmless.

I'll stop now as I don't want this to get heated. This is after all a football board, not a board on religion.

[Cr00zng]

I think this is part of the issue. For lots of people, Jesus Christ is not implicated directly in the ups and downs of Tebow's fortunes. I think a lot of Christian players would prefer that he give himself (and probably his teammates, especially his defense) credit for the good things that happen to him on the football field, rather than his Lord and Savior. The relationship between Tebow and Jesus Christ is his own business and maybe shouldn't be the focus of everyone's attention. In this regard he takes it a little too far, even though ultimately it's all quite harmless.

+1

I'll stop now as I don't want this to get heated. This is after all a football board, not a board on religion.

Oh, come on; it started to get good...

[Stugots]

No doubt Brady is the better QB. But the better person? Tebow and its not even close.

Does the latter really matter?  To me it doesn't.  I don't look to professional athletes and believe they have to be good people.  I don't think these guys have to be role models for kids.  Parents need to be role models for their children.

That's all well and good but when it comes down to it kids look up to professional athletes no matter what. Whether these guys want to be role models or not, it just happens. So yeah, it does matter.

[jimv]

As far as I can tell, Tebow is either a born-again Christian or an Evangelical Christian.  People like him wear their Christianity on their sleeves; they always talk about their Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.  Good for them!  Would I like it better if Tebow didn't start every interview with that?  Sure, but that's the way he is.  I could think of a lot worse things he could talk about or a lot worse ways he could be living his life.

Eventually, being a good athlete, he'll probably become a RB something like Frank Gifford; everytime he gets the ball, you'd not be sure he's running or passing.

[Rambo89]

No doubt Brady is the better QB. But the better person? Tebow and its not even close.

Does the latter really matter?  To me it doesn't.  I don't look to professional athletes and believe they have to be good people.  I don't think these guys have to be role models for kids.  Parents need to be role models for their children.

That's all well and good but when it comes down to it kids look up to professional athletes no matter what. Whether these guys want to be role models or not, it just happens. So yeah, it does matter.

To me as a fan, it doesn't matter.  Give me 1,000,000 Tom Brady's over Tim Tebow.

[CAGiantFan]

As far as I can tell, Tebow is either a born-again Christian or an Evangelical Christian.  People like him wear their Christianity on their sleeves; they always talk about their Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.  Good for them!  Would I like it better if Tebow didn't start every interview with that?  Sure, but that's the way he is.  I could think of a lot worse things he could talk about or a lot worse ways he could be living his life.

Personally I don't see it as very different than when a batter crosses himself before an at bat or, for that matter, when Bavaro used to cross himself after scoring a TD.  More a Catholic/Protestant stylistic difference.