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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Is Tebow's Performance Finally Good Enough?


It was said to be improbable... unfathomable... impossible. All the Tebow critics and even non-critics said, "There is not a shot in hell that Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers." They reiterated, "The Broncos are going to get demolished, and Tebow is but one bad snap away from losing his starting job and NFL career. Tebow can't throw, he can't make quick decisions, he just isn't good enough."

Last night the impossible happened--Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in overtime. The question is though, is this finally good enough? Call it crazy, call it lucky, call it stupid, call it cliche--whatever you want to call it, I absolutely love it. I have the ultimate "Tebowner" right now, and so should you. I am absolutely mystified by what this guy has been able to do despite such adversity and such hardship. No young player in any sport has had to deal with more issues and negative publicity than Tim Tebow, and for what? Why do people hate such a positive role-model in an NFL league full of gangsters and thugs?

Tim Tebow exemplifies everything we as sports fans and human beings should love. He is the ultimate underdog and produces those moments of magic that keep us hooked and flabbergasted. This Denver win is the latest in legendary moments in NFL history, and I know 30 years from now I will not have forgotten exactly where I was when Tebow threw that 80-yard TD pass on the first play of overtime.

We can't give all the credit to Tebow, however. I know that I (nor Tebow himself) would want to take anything away from the team effort that produced this win for Broncos. I can't take away any credit from the Steelers either, who made this victory remarkably easier than it should have been. I still question the decision the bring the safety up on that last play of the game. Why as a defensive coordinator would you make such an aggressive call on 1st and 10 in overtime? Who cares if they run every first down, and who cares if they get a 10 yard run on the first play. When you are in overtime in a hostile environment you had better be playing bend but don't break defense (especially with the new overtime field goal rule). For that reason alone, the Steelers deserved this loss. I don't care if it is Tim Tebow at QB, you have to play smart football and respect that big plays can occur on any down.

I'm not going to rant about the stupidity of the Steelers though, this one is all about the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow. Many people are tired of hearing about the Tebow debate on ESPN (myself included), but I am enamored by the story of Tim Tebow this year. He inherits a 1-4 team, and when no one gave him a chance, he turns the table winning the next 7 out of 8 games to help the Broncos win the AFC West. Next, after playing awful and losing 3 games straight, Tebow comes out in a huge playoff game and sets 3 NFL post season passing records on the way to winning in extravagant fashion.

I love this story because Tim Tebow represents hard-work, faith, perseverance, and never giving up on a dream.  To me, he stands for everyone who has ever told anyone else they aren't good enough to achieve their dreams. He has stood up in the face of the harshest criticism and proved, "I am good enough, and I belong here." Everyone should take a page from the book of Tebow and let it be known that no one can tell you that you can't accomplish your dreams, and no one can tell you are not good enough to do what you love.


-John Jr. 


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