I’ve been thinking a lot about Tim Tebow over the past few weeks and like you, I’ve been bombarded by ESPN, other television, blogs, and even Facebook with opinions good and bad about the young quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
I admit I have been a bit apprehensive about sounding in with all the other noise, and I completely understand if you’re scratching your head right now and asking what in the world does Tim Tebow have to do with a creative/artistic weblog. Well, like everyone else in the universe who has a voice or a means of communication, I too would like you to consider the following…
Unless you’ve been living under a rock or visiting Mars for the past few years, you’ve heard the name Tim Tebow. He came into the national spotlight (to most of us) as the never-say-die quarterback for the Florida Gators. I’m a huge college football fan and in particular an Oklahoma Sooners football fan so naturally, I immediately didn’t like the guy, his coach, his fellow players, or the Gator football program in general. Besides, out here in Norman [at the same time] we had this young phenom by the name of Sam Bradford, and I along with the other 15 people in Oklahoma felt he was the ultimate football god incarnate.
Then came January 8, 2009 in Miami’s Dolphin Stadium and a little showdown between #1 Oklahoma and #2 Florida for the BCS National Championship football game. It was time for Oklahomans to meet Tim Tebow up close and personal. When all the hype (and dust) had settled, the Florida Gators and their fearless leader Tim Tebow won the match-up 24-14, finishing a monumental season for all Gators. Needless to say, I really hated that guy now [in a sports kinda way, of course].
So with that personal history of me and Tebow understood, I would like to outline four reasons why I like TEBOW-TIME now and encourage you to take a closer look and let his story inspire your creativity as well.
1. Tim Tebow has a man-sized grip on what it means to inspire others.
Watching a sports channel special on Tim Tebow, I learned that his simple and direct method of leadership wasn’t something he woke up one day and discovered he had. It was deliberately placed there by his minister father and school teacher mother [yes, his mother was his home-school teacher - so much for the theory that home-schooling doesn't work]. From his earliest experiences, he drew on the teachings and real-life example of his parents and later from his personal faith in Jesus Christ and what he learned from the Bible. He learned to lead and inspire through his heart, passion, and faith. It’s contagious and extremely positive. If there’s anything we can take away from that, it’s that real deep-down inspiration comes from the heart, family, and God.
Not only the way he plays but the way he lives life is inspiring. Obstacles and adversaries don’t seem to slow him down much. How could someone not admire such a trait? As a creative person, this kind of inspired life would give me a tremendous advantage over others who try to go at life and craft alone. I’m sure that somewhere in Tebow’s arsenal is still the continued presence and advice from those he loves and trusts, as sure as his continued faith and trust in God. When times get hard and the pundits seem to come out of the woodwork, his foundation isn’t shaken, allowing him to stand firm in the face of any crisis. If that doesn’t inspire you, check your pulse!
2. Tim Tebow is the model of commitment.
Can we list them again? Family, home, teaching, faith, God, Bible, team, work-ethic . . . his whole life is one fulfilled commitment after another. He strikes me as the kind of man who you could gamble your life on his word. You know, the simple hand-shake promise that you’d never hesitate to accept as gospel truth. He was committed to being the best quarterback he could be. Notice, I didn’t say the best quarterback. I said the best one he could be – constantly improving, ever-growing and developing. His physical commitment to this way of life is beyond the comprehension of most arm-chair quarterbacks like me.
We could all definitely benefit from learning to commit to our art and passions with the same zeal and integrity that Tebow possesses. How much could we improve whatever it is we do if we made the sacrificial commitment to it that Tebow has made for his chosen profession? He doesn’t seem to allow the “things” of life to distract him from his goals. He is certainly to be admired for this type of drive and focus, again traits that would boost our abilities and maybe even our income level. [And I'm not even going to touch on the personal satisfaction part of the equation.]
3. Tim Tebow defines what it is to overcome.
I can’t really think of another person (in recent history) who has been told so many times by so many people that they can’t do something. I mean, good grief, you’d think that the people Tebow has had to deal with in his life “had it out for him” and even went out of their way to detract his focus or roadblock his personal goals. Why so much controversy? When did we stop pulling for the good guy and actually start plotting his demise?
True, I suppose Tebow wears a white cowboy hat and rides the white horse, but I remember when those were good things and people cheered for you and pulled for you. Do you think it might have something to do with his outspoken faith in Jesus Christ? Whatever the reason, he is remarkably resilient and adds new meaning to the word transcend. Every weekend, every game, every play, he is scrutinized to the nth degree. I truly admire his ability to smile through it all and keep on going.
What can we learn from this? As creative people who sometimes wear our feelings on our sleeves, it is important for us to keep everything around us in perspective. Some people will love what we do – cool! Some people will hate what we do – accept it. Some people will be indifferent (which really starts to nag at the old ego after a while) and some people will be jealous and do everything in their power to derail us. Understand this is all part of the creative life, move on and smile through the rain.
One more thing real quick – like Tebow, take every, “You can’t do ____________,” as a personal challenge to overcome!
4. Tim Tebow is a master of spreading the love.
I was told a lot of things when I was younger – some good advice, some not so good. One of the things that has really stuck with me [and to a certain degree has panned out too] was, “You can go anywhere and succeed at anything in life you want as long as you don’t care who get’s the credit.” In other words, be the ultimate team player. Don’t seek to hog the spotlight but recognize and promote those around you who have contributed to your success in one way or another.
I believe Tim Tebow lives and breathes TEAM. He knows (without a doubt) that everything he has accomplished so far in his short career is a culmination of the dedication of others who have mentored, taught, cared for, and believed in him. He looks at his peers and learns from them. He listens to his coaches and follows their direction. What I’m trying to say is Tebow realizes that even though people are saying it’s TEBOW-TIME, it’s not all about Tebow but the whole cast of characters that surrounds him and the Tim Tebow movement.
So maybe that’s four huge reasons why Tim Tebow doesn’t lack confidence. It’s not about him and he knows it and he lives that way. We could all grow and benfit from his example. March in life’s band surrounded by others playing the same song. Encourage one another, promote one another, and pull for each other. Maybe neither one of our names will be a household name but we can all reach for that greatness that is available for all to attain.
Yeah, it’s TEBOW-TIME and I like it. I hope it’s your time soon as well!
Keith 
