Monday, April 20, 2015

Tim Tebow Signs Contract

The past few days have been interesting; a mix of rain, sleet, snow, and brief periods of sunshine.  It was 29 degrees this morning, and a small shower of snow had fallen just before I got up.  I can't see any blue in the sky to the east, only clouds.  And a light rain has been falling for the past hour.  My keyboard, monitor, and note paper can easily attest to that, as both Nedi and Lovey have decided the best place to shed rain and mud is in the space between me and the PC pieces.
  And I awoke to wonderful news this morning - Tim Tebow has signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.  He  will be one of five quarterbacks on the Eagles roster and will have to prove himself to play.  This young man deserves credit for still following his dream - to be a winning quarterback in the National Football League.  He has been on the sidelines for three years - has begun a very impressive announcing career - has a full slate of speaking engagements - has a fantastic Foundation that aids people with disabilities - and has his own hospital in the Philippines, where he was born.  If only others with wealth equivalent to his would give as much to society as he does, then this world would be a much better place.
   Believe me, I understand that Tebow  is a polarizing person - just like Steve Spurrier, the first Florida Gator to win the Heisman Trophy.  A person loves him, or hates him, or is just completely oblivious to him.  I think that Tebow's religious views are what makes a lot of people dislike him.  He is the son of a missionary, and he was raised to speak about his own personal belief in God.  In this day and age, most people find that off-putting, silly, or down-right disgusting.  As a player, he thanks God for his wins, and blames himself for his losses.  As a part of his own personal creed, he thanks God for his abilities and beliefs.  He makes these statements calmly.  He does not preach to his audience, he does not try to overtly convince you to join his faith, he doesn't ask for donations to a specific church.  He is a Christian man, who is unafraid to proclaim his faith.  Yes, he leads prayer meetings with other players, but he does not coerce anyone to join in.  He lives a model life, and is always under a microscope, and has been, since he became the youngest person to win the Heisman.  He lives in a glass house, and, as far as I can see, and as reporters can find out, he practices what he speaks of.
   I sincerely hope this contract works out well for Tim Tebow and the Eagles.  I hope that Tim can become, actually earn, the right to be the team's starting quarterback.  I think that he has the drive and desire to do so.  I'm glad that the Eagles decided to give him a chance.  If he stays with the team, they will have another new fan - me.  Believe it or not, Tim Tebow is an extremely complex person.  He has the same dreams and desires and drives that most people on this earth have. He was extremely lucky to get into the University of Florida, and to soar under the tutelage of Urban Meyer.  Since college, every team that has hired, or used him, has tried to change his throwing, his body mechanics, his thought processes.  Let the man be himself.  Let him prove himself, or fail.  But please don't judge him by press releases or other peoples' comments - including mine.   Let the man get on with his life.  Please.

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