Thursday, January 12, 2012

Why Tim Tebow is a fictional hero...



I don’t know how many of our readers follow American Football – but if you do, Tim Tebow is the America’s newest fascination. If you don’t follow football and you’re wondering what all those strange pictures are of people kneeling in seemingly odd places… that’s the phenomena known as Tebowing.

As a sports nut and a writer – this guy fascinates me.

Here are the facts. He is not a proto-typical quarterback. He runs more than he throws, he misses receivers more than he finds them. He can only throw so far. And he doesn’t have what’s known as “touch” on the ball. Not to mention a very slow throwing motion and bad footwork.

But this is the other fact: he finds ways to win in clutch situations. He’s had I believe four 4th quarter comebacks in his 8 wins. He just won his first playoff game in OT against a team none of the professional analysts said he could beat.

People either love him… and I mean really love him. Or hate him. And I mean really hate him.

Some people don’t like the idea that someone less talented has a job someone else could do. Some people think he’s just lucky. Other’s think God is on his side. He’s very religious and very open about it. That kneeling motion is no joke. But some people think he flaunts his beliefs in their faces.

So why is he such a sudden star?

I think I finally figured it out. Tim Tebow is Luke Skywalker. Tim Tebow is Harry Potter. Sports in my opinion has always been about the drama and this guy has arrived as an unlikely hero and people are rallying behind him.

Of course there are obstacles. Every good hero has them because he needs something to leap over.

His detractors are numerous. Not just the analysts but other professional players have mocked him and his game. A future hall of fame linebacker when asked about Tim said he was a good “running” back – obviously mocking his talent as a quarterback. To that Tim said, “I take any compliment from a future hall of famer as a great honor.” AND HE MEANT IT!

What makes Tim Tebow special is his innate goodness. He’s sincere and real and … really really good. When asked what was the highlight for him of his overtime win against Pittsburg he said, “Bringing joy to a little girl who in her short life has had 73 surgeries. Because that’s what’s important.” AND HE MEANT IT!

In our stories we want to see good triumph over evil. And in a time of a bad economy, where coaching legends turn out to be pedophiles and baseball legends are drug users… on to the stage steps this weird guy who for whatever reason has captured our attention.

Just like any good hero out of any great story.

I will be watching Tim against the Patriots this week. I will be rooting for him with everything I have. I don’t think they stand a chance against Brady and the Patriots… but what if our hero wins again?

It’s going to make for a great story.

What do you all think? Do you know about Tim? Do you secretly Tebow in the shower? Come on… you can tell us.

And just because I haven’t heard anything – Kristin Fischer you were the winner last week. If you want to claim your prize you can reach me at www.stephaniedoyle.net.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stephanie, I have no interest in sports, none at all, but you just made me want to watch football.
Could you write about sports every week?

Molly O'Keefe said...

Did you see that sketch on SNL a few weeks ago? God comes into the loocker room to explain that he can't keep saving them like this...Tebow goes nuts. Hilarious - truly funny stuff.

It is a wild wild phenomenon and he is about as religious as they come, which comes with all the good and bad aspects.

I like his blank faced earnestness and truly miraculous wins...but his politics scare me.

I'm going with Brady, who has his own blank faced earnestness...

Karen Whiddon said...

That Denver/Steeler game was fab! And I love what you wrote about Tebow. Like you, I think the Pats will win, but I'll be cheering Denver!

Stephanie Doyle said...

Molly - I did see the sketch and thought it was hilarious! "Relax there Tim."

I don't know anything about his politics (which is probably a good thing) just his "football" story. And he definitely makes me want to root for him.

My fear is that the Giants end up in the superbowl against the Broncos - then I won't know what the heck to do.

Eileen said...

And have you seen him? I mean, off the field? He is GORGEOUS. The OT pass that beat the Steelers? O.M.G. Especially since he'd spent the last few minutes of the 4th quarter throwing wobbly-ass spirals to no one and nowhere? I was up out of my chair and I'd been half-napping before that.

Love the SNL skit.

Maureen McGowan said...

I'm bummed I missed that SNL skit, but yesterday I read a very funny piece in gawker

http://gawker.com/5875125/the-non-sports-fans-guide-to-tim-tebow

One of my favourite parts:

"If he's not very good, why does so much get written about him?

You live in this country, right? You are familiar with this country, and how much this country loves hard-working religious white people who defy the system and the wisdom of experts to do well despite bad odds. "Scrappy white guy uses grit, determination, and his faith in God to win miraculously under pressure" is what most people here think of as a good summary of the New Testament."

And you know... Until I clicked on a link to that article yesterday, posted on facebook by an old friend of mine I'd barely heard of this dude. Clearly I've been living under a rock.

Eileen said...

Well, you certainly haven't been living in a house that lives, eats and breathes football from September to February.

Love the guide to Safe Tebowing, though!

Stephanie Doyle said...

"Scrappy white guy uses grit, determination, and his faith in God to win miraculously under pressure" is what most people here think of as a good summary of the New Testament."

This is also hysterical!

Maureen McGowan said...

Yeah, that cracked me up too, Steph.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...