Count me among those considered Tom Brady fans. Don’t get it twisted though, I grew up in South Jersey and am a die hard Eagles fan through and through. But outside of that, I love players who are counted out and who show the resolve to come through in the clutch. What I love most about sports is that moment, the moment when it’s all on the player to make or not make a play. And in many of those moments throughout his career, Tom Brady has come through. I respect that and I like to watch it.
I recall back in 2001 when Brady took over the Pats starting job and he looked pedestrian, a game manager. I remember many people calling into talk shows saying the Patriots couldn’t win long term with Brady and the return of Bledsoe couldn’t come soon enough. Yet, as the wins mounted the tune of those same fans began to change.
11 years later we’re witnessing this decade’s Tom Brady. This one has the same drive, confidence, and competitive spirit. The difference. Tim Tebow praises God publicly and uses every opportunity do so. With Cranston’s prayer banner controversy in the background, it’s interesting to see how Tebow is showing the anti-Christian bias that exists amongst some media members. 11 years ago, Brady didn’t get panned for being a young 24 year old who believed in his skills and abilities. I didn’t see Charles Barkley calling him a ‘nightmare’. No, Brady’s worst critics said he couldn’t throw the long ball and that he was slow of foot.
It was about football.
Yet with Tebow it’s often not about football but about his Constitutional right to exercise his religion as he sees fit. I doubt if Tebow was an atheist the media would place such a focus on his religious beliefs or lack thereof. He’d simply be a football player – we’d judge him by wins & losses, by his skill set or lack thereof.
But, it’s always something else when someone professes a religion in a way that is outside the mainstream. I’ve often heard the phrase – keep your religion in your back pocket. What i hope Tebow is illustrating is that for some of us, our religion is what defines us. To secularize it and make it provocative, being a christian is like being gay for some – a key part of who we are. Perhaps seen in that light people may start to understand Tebow, but unlikely. I suspect he’ll continue to be a polarizing figure.
And if he keeps winning, a polarizing and well paid figure.
