You Don’t Have to Be a Member of “Gator Nation” to Appreciate Tim Tebow

I love college football, and more explicitly SEC football. I know that there are other conferences, but I just don’t think that any conference is as strong as the SEC. While being from Louisiana makes me a fan of LSU (Geaux Bayou Bengals! Wahoo!), I have to give mad props to Tim Tebow of UF. I have great respect for this man, both on and off the field. On the field, who can deny his stats? Off the field, he demands respect for his work ethic and Christian character.

Consider his life story: He was born in the Philippines to Christian missionary parents. His mother contracted a significant illness while pregnant with him, and was told to abort the 2007 Heisman winner lest he face irreparable damage due to the treatment of her illness. Of course they did not abort. After a tour of duty in the Philippines, the Tebow family moved to a farm outside of Jacksonville, FL, where they were taught hard work and Christian discipline by Bob and Pam Tebow. Tim was homeschooled by his mother, yet allowed to play public high school football, where he threw for over 10,000 yards. Now, as a sophomore and a mere 20 years of age, he is a record-setting Heisman winner. This kid’s life is a made-for-TV-movie.

Give a listen to his Heisman acceptance speech. Two things emerge: he is a Christian and a proud member of “Gator Nation.” He loves his Lord, his family, his coaches, and his teammates. While I am not a member of “Gator Nation,” I have to admit–he is going to be fun to watch.