A New Verb, "To Tebow"
Tim Groseclose ·
Oct 28, 2011 at 3:32pm
Tim Tebow, the quarterback for the Denver Broncos, recently led his team to an impressive come-from-behind victory against the Miami Dolphins. He is a devout Christian, and he often prays during games.
A new internet fad is "to Tebow." To do this you assume Tebow's typical stance for prayer--one knee down, elbow on other knee, and fist to forehead. Tebow.com has several photos of people Tebowing. On his Twitter account, Tim Tebow announced that he endorses Tebowing.
Earlier (see here and here), I blogged about another famous athlete who often prays in public, Manny Pacquiao. Another thing the two athletes have in common: Both were born in the Philippines. Tebow was born there while his parents served as missionaries.
- Comment (15)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (0)
Comments :
May '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
Obviously a danger to the republic. Implementing a theocracy.
Feb '11
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
I want three things from Tebow.
(1) I want him to win football games (and to be able to work with the team he has);
(2) I want him to keep his nose clean;
(3) I want him not to let the partisans on the right appropriate him for their cause.
The lunatic left are easy enough to deal with. They will at least be consistent. But beware of partisans who befriend you.
Jun '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
If he was sliding on ice while he did that, he'd be curling.
Jul '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
Ro.mo [Roe-moe]
verb Ro.moed; Ro.mos; Romoing
1. To throw an interception
2. To lose a Football game
3. To choke
Dec '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
Jimmy Carter: Ro.mo [Roe-moe]
verb Ro.moed; Ro.mos; Romoing
1. To throw an interception
2. To lose a Football game
3. To choke · Oct 28 at 4:23pm
That'll leave a mark.
Jun '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
As a religious person, I believe in prayers for safety, that a player or team can play to their abilities, and the like (a prayer for victory in a game seems a bit presumptuous). I tend to think you can quietly say a prayer without making it publicly obvious, but to each his own.
I do object personally to players, after scoring a TD, who act as though God had willed their touchdown. I've always thought that God, at least the one I pray to, has little regard for who wins. His primary interest is in the souls of the players, not how well they perform on the field.
As an avid Denver fan, whatever it takes for Tebow to be a good QB. He's obviously a good guy and a man of faith. But in the pros, it comes down to winning games.
Edited on Oct 28, 2011 at 4:34pmJun '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
Jerry Broaddus
Jimmy Carter: Ro.mo [Roe-moe]
verb Ro.moed; Ro.mos; Romoing
1. To throw an interception
2. To lose a Football game
3. To choke · Oct 28 at 4:23pm
That'll leave a mark. · Oct 28 at 4:32pm
A big mark. The truth hurts.
May '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
I am a deeply religious person, and pray several times a day, but I am uncomfortable with these kinds of public displays of prayer. Now, to be fair, I do not follow NFL football and do not know much about how Tebow does this. Does he pray that he and others will do their best, and be protected from life-threatening injuries? Great.
But if he is praying that God will help his team win, or prays or points heavenward after a touchdown or victory, then that bothers me. It cheapens Christianity, in my opinion. I mean, come on, God has better things to do than to help people win football games.
It reminds me of the current season of Survivor. Seriously, two guys on one of the tribes think that because they are Christians and they pray, that God is on their side and is helping them win immunity challenges. After winning immunity last week, one guy actually said that. Right after winning, these two guys even got their teammates to get on their knees, in front of Probst and the other team, to give thanks to God for helping them to win. It's embarrassing.
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
@concerned citizen:
I am 95% sure that it's about being safe- players play before games, and I've been to games where some serious injuries happen. When they go to the commercial break, a lot of players of both teams pray. And teams pray after games too.
All this happens win or lose- I don't think it's about performance. People can get pretty messed up playing on Sundays!
I think people point towards the sky after scoring touchdowns because football is their job- they're thanking God for allowing them to be able to make a living and in some cases, get their families out of poverty.
Edited on Oct 28, 2011 at 4:53pmRe: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
I remember attending a concert by a Christian music group called "Truth," back in 1976 I think. These were professional musicians, so the quality of the music was top notch. But even amongst these talented musicians, the drummer was just incredible. Every now and then, after a particularly mesmerizing performance, he would point one drumstick heavenward. The impression I got back then, was that he was giving credit to the Creator of his talent. It was simultaneously an act of praise, and an admission to those watching that his gift came not from him, but from God.
Win or lose, I would like to think at least some of our athletes are making the same statement.
By the way, a year or so later, I had the chance to meet this drummer. He played like a monster, but in conversation he was so very polite and soft spoken that it became difficult to reconcile the two personalities.
Edited on Oct 28, 2011 at 5:50pmMay '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
"Truth" came to my college in the 80's, Dave. But by then they had a completely different lineup.
I think the athletes who display their devotion are publicly declaring their allegiance instead asking for special favor. Flo Jo, the famous Olympian, would display her devotion during and after every event because she wanted the world to know where her priorities lay. She often stated so in interviews. Kaká, the Brazillian soccer player, takes his display of allegiance one step further by wearing a t-shirt under his jersey which says, "I belong to Jesus."
Edited on Oct 28, 2011 at 6:51pmMay '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
I assume that Mr Tebow is genuine in his expression of faith, but I am reminded of Matthew 6:5-7 whenever I see this sort of exhibitionism. Have your prayers privately in the Locker Room, on the side lines before the game; but this smacks to me of a little too much tele-evangelism for my tastes. And yes I pray grace privately over dinner at restaurants without making such a performance of it.
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." KJV Matthew 6:5-7.
Nov '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
Talleyrand: I assume that Mr Tebow is genuine in his expression of faith, but I am reminded of Matthew 6:5-7 whenever I see this sort of exhibitionism. . . .
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." KJV Matthew 6:5-7.
That might make sense if we lived in ancient Israel, or in any culture in which prayer might buy you the respect of others. In our modern culture, it is more likely to earn you their scorn. For someone who is as respected as a modern football player to publicly acknowledge God, to acknowledge God as the source of his gifts and any achievements he has, strikes me as a profound witness. It counters the cultural message that athletes somehow deserve our adulation. I like it.
May '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
Lucy Pevensie
Talleyrand: I assume that Mr Tebow is genuine in his expression of faith, but I am reminded of Matthew 6:5-7 whenever I see this sort of exhibitionism. . . .
For someone who is as respected as a modern football player to publicly acknowledge God, to acknowledge God as the source of his gifts and any achievements he has, strikes me as a profound witness. It counters the cultural message that athletes somehow deserve our adulation. I like it. · Oct 29 at 1:53pm
I think the athletes display their devotion with the words of Luke 9:26 and Mark 8:38 in their minds.
"Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26 (NIV)
Also, understand that for Evangelicals, their utmost purpose is to be living witnesses for God through Jesus. Some are more overt than others. They don't want to be accused of missing an opportunity to point someone to their Savior.
Jul '10
Re: A New Verb, "To Tebow"
tabula rasa:
I do object personally to players, after scoring a TD, who act as though God had willed their touchdown. I've always thought that God, at least the one I pray to, has little regard for who wins. His primary interest is in the souls of the players, not how well they perform on the field.
Edited on Oct 28 at 04:34 pm
Your point reminds me of a funny quote from Lou Holtz when he was coach at Notre Dame. They had a pretty good rivalry going with the University of Miami. The chaplain for the Hurricanes also claimed that God didn't care who won the football game. To which Coach Holtz replied, "I don't think God cares who wins, either, but His Mother does!"