Faith

Sports Columnist: Tim Tebow ‘Does What the Bible Asks of Him’

Sports

Jennifer Floyd Engel, a columnist for Fox Sports, appeared on the “Fox & Friends” this week, where she asked, ”Why are we so willing to let people mock the Christian faith?” The subject at hand, of course, was Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, whose faith has been the focus of intense discussion and debate over the past few months.

Tebow, who shows overt openness in addressing his love for Jesus Christ, has yet to buckle under the pressure; he continues to bow, pray and defend his faith. During her discussion with Fox’s Gretchen Carlson, Engel defended the 24-year-old and said, ”We can all learn a lesson from Tim Tebow.”

(Related: Kurt Warner tells Tebow to not be so bold about his faith)

Engel recapped the “Tebowing” phenomenon as well and railed against the notion that people would so openly “mock someone who has the good sense to thank God.” She also provided insight about why she believes his faith has come under public fire.

“I think Tim Tebow makes a lot of us feel uncomfortable, because he actually proves that you can bring God into whatever area or arena of life you’re in,” she explained. “He does what the Bible asks of him…if you‘re a person who doesn’t follow that, he makes you uncomfortable.” This uncomfortableness, she says, leads to teasing.

Watch her comments, below:

(Related: Tebow responds to former quarterback telling him to tone down his Jesus talk)

This isn’t the first time Engel has spoken out in defense of Tebow. In November, she wrote a column that questioned how people would treat Tebow if he were a Muslim. She wrote:

Imagine for a second, the Denver Broncos quarterback is a devout follower of Islam, sincere and principled in his beliefs and thus bowed toward Mecca to celebrate touchdowns. Now imagine if Detroit Lions playersStephen Tulloch and Tony Scheffler mockingly bowed toward Mecca, too, after tackling him for a loss or scoring a touchdown, just like what happened Sunday.

I know what would happen. All hell would break loose.

(Related: Rush Limbaugh comes to Tim Tebow’s defense)

The Blaze’s Mike Opelka also explored this subject, where he took a poll that asked, “Would Tebow be mocked if he was a Muslim and shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ after each touchdown?”

Comments (98)

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  • MaxVonDF
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:51pm

    Good for Tim Tebow and good job Ms. Engel. I continue to pray for Tebow and his family that they remain safe and strong in the Lord. Tebow has lifted up the Denver Broncos because of his fiery heart; retired college coach Bill McCartney said it the best “one man with his heart on fire can ignite a whole team and make them winners.” It‘s not Tim’s Christianity that does it but his fierce will to win on the field. Shutdown corner and future Hall of Famer Champ Bailey says he’s never been around anyone like Tebow and he knows Tebow will give 110% to win, so Bailey is going to give 120%. That’s what Tebow evokes in his teammates. They‘ve seen he’s real, he’s firm in his beliefs, he’s not a hypocrite, so whether they are Christians or not, they are with him.

    I think many sportswriters are atheists or agnostics and have the notion that Christians are weak and uncompetitive and so they can’t believe Tebow is for real. Get over it. He’s the real deal.

    Report Post »  
  • MJPinCO
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:46pm

    Timmy is the real deal. He makes me want to be a better Christian. God Bless him.

    Report Post »  
  • Moshy1
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:29pm

    I assume Holy Ghostbuster is either gay or pro-choice or both, otherwise why care what Christians believe?

    Report Post » Moshy1  
    • NES
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:59pm

      I don’t have anything against Tebow, and I’m a faithful Christian, but I disagree that he’s doing what the Bible says he should do. While he shouldn’t hide being a Christian and should set a Christian example, I don’t believe that saying private prayers, as opposed to public group prayer, in public is a good thing. I’m not saying that Tebow has anything other than good intentions in his heart, and I like the pro-life message he promotes, but I think he’s misguided in some of the ways he makes his faith into a spectacle. The scripture that comes to mind, in particular, is what Jesus preached in Matthew 6:5-6:

      “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. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy [room], 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.”

      Report Post »  
    • swsb6x
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 12:10pm

      @NES — Praying in public is not wrong! If it were the early church in the book of Acts would be in violation of what the Lord taught as recorded in Matthew 6. They prayed in public. As usual Jesus is looking at the heart of man. The intent of the person Jesus was condemning was to put on a show for their own self promotion. They are hypocrites “for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.” As far as I can tell Tebow is not a hypocrite, he is not doing praying or expressing his faith that he may be seen of man. In fact the reverse is happening to him he is being condemned by men. God bless him!!!! I wish all true believers had his courage to stand up for what they supposedly believe.

      Luke 6:21-23 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

      Report Post »  
    • NES
      Posted on December 18, 2011 at 2:41pm

      @SWSB6X

      Perhaps you should read what I wrote rather than making a straw man argument by taking one part out of context. I said that praying together as a group in public among fellow believers is good and that I don’t think that Tebow has anything but good intentions in his heart. However, I think he is misguided when he turns faith into a spectacle in such a public way and could be setting himself up for a prideful fall in the future. I’ll stick with what Jesus plainly said on the subject and leave it at that. In Acts, I‘m pretty sure they weren’t praying at a sporting event, and there is a proper time and season for all things for which the Good Lord gave us minds and wisdom to discern between.

      That all being said, praying privately in one’s heart in public is a good thing, and he can thank the Lord that way during the games. Why does he need to let everybody else know? Isn’t the intended recipient God? I’ll refer you again to the scripture I quoted.

      Report Post »  
  • ImJohnGalt
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:29pm

    I’m a Chiefs fan and I even love this guy. Pure talent.

    Report Post »  
  • football lady
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:05pm

    I admire Tim Tebow. He is a good person and true to himself.

    Report Post »  
  • mean_conservative_teacher
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:02pm

    Time for our daily dose of snark from the poster with the dangerously narcissistic conviction of cosmological omniscience. Oh my! It was a fairy tale all along? Well my word. What a waste I have made of my time, money, and intelligence. I suppose must now go buy the Dawkins collection of hate propaganda, become a jaded emo person, engage in some random debauchery, and troll some discussion boards sharing my existential misery with the world. [/sarcasm]

    Report Post »  
  • holy ghostbuster
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 6:44pm

    He does what the book of imaginary fairy tales tells him. Wow. Scary.

    Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
    • Ezekiel Wheeler
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:03pm

      Hey Buster, You internet Trolls types only prove that:

      Atheists are Azzh*les.

      Report Post »  
    • football lady
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:06pm

      Get a life.

      Report Post »  
    • Skee
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:16pm

      Hey holyghostbuster,
      I’ll go to church just to pi$$ off jackholes like yourself.
      Tebow is doing his thing so back off, arrogant *****.
      I didn’t see anyone bust on Pat Tillman because he was atheist.
      We just appreciated what he did.

      Report Post » Skee  
    • Duckhead
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 9:44pm

      That fairy tale will sit in judgement of you one day. Now THAT will be scary. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom”.

      Report Post »  
    • dontbotherme
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 11:33am

      Ghostbuster: God bless you. When you mock the Lord God & His believers you should ask yourself who you are doing it for. Who, or what, do you stand for? Please just open your eyes & heart to the truth. I pray that God’s love & mercy rain down upon you & help you find the peace & love that one can have only from the Lord.

      Report Post »  
    • TalonsPoint
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 5:41pm

      A true Atheist would not engage in debate with a believer as it violates a simple principles of logic “why debate with one who believes in something that is false.”

      Your comment is evidence of your anger toward God, not your belief he does not exist.

      Report Post » TalonsPoint  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:12am

      And atheist have killed more than all religions combined.

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • mean_conservative_teacher
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 6:39pm

    Apparently, professional athletes can be forgiven for drugs, steroids, foul language, spousal abuse, rape, and double murder, but being Christian and meaning it is entirely out of bounds. Tebow is giving God the glory. I think God is very pleased by that. What Tebow is doing is phenomenal and more of us need to be coming out and letting the secularists and the lukewarm hear and see us. Go Tebow.

    Report Post »  
    • football lady
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:07pm

      Amen!

      Report Post »  
    • Skee
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:19pm

      Preach it teach!

      Report Post » Skee  
    • almont
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 4:50am

      Right on!

      Truth be known, he also makes many of us Christian men uncomfortable bcause we know, in his position we’d be living it up, drinking, druging and chasing the ladies.
      God bless him for being a great wake up call for all of us.

      Report Post » almont  
    • loveliberty83
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 1:45pm

      thank you for expressing my thoughts-also it shows kids you do not have to be nasty to be a sports person-many of the kids here in Ga have a new hero, it sets the bar of its okay not to be bad, they are proud because he is from Ga, as you know in highschool kids are afraid to be nice

      Report Post »  
  • JesusFreak490
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 6:34pm

    Spot on! I really don’t like football, but I greatly admire Tim Tebow. He’s a great example as a brother in Christ.

    Report Post »  
  • Jinglebob
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 6:18pm

    “Why are we so willing to let people mock the Christian faith?” Maybe..it‘s because Christians and Jews won’t cut your head off, burn your house down, rocket your grandmother on the bus to church, kill your dog and stone youe sister for kissing a guy. That’s just a thought.

    Report Post » Jinglebob  
  • teebubba
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 6:11pm

    I find myself rooting for him these weeks…the end of his games sometimes remind me of a “B” sports movies especially when he throws a pass. The only danger I can see here is the possibility that the Devil is causing the wins and ultimately plans to steal his soul…ugh!

    Report Post » teebubba  
    • Doctor Nordo
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:55pm

      “The only danger I can see here is the possibility that the Devil is causing the wins and ultimately plans to steal his soul…ugh!”

      Uh, what?!

      Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
    • BV FROM TX
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 1:19am

      No he won’t lose his soul. He is thankful every minute for his mom‘s faith that she chose not to abort him against her doctor’s recommendations. He feels so blessed to have been born and he gives God the glory for everything because he knows where his blessing come from. Those are the role models for our children and future leaders of our world.

      Report Post »  
    • teebubba
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 10:23am

      @Dr.Nordo…While this may seem a silly point…..Dogma suggests that Jesus or the Christian God does not choose winners or losers…..in fact most athletes who are “praying”are not overtly praying for a “win” but rather for the safety of all involved in the contest. Tebow’s involvement in winning the contests is portrayed by the sports media as considering the possibility that he is being rewarded with wins by his deity (partly waiting patiently for the first loss now as the playoffs loom near). Satan however does choose winners and losers….just say’in.

      Report Post » teebubba  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:16am

      I becha a dollar to a doughnut that he would praise God if he lost a game…it’s just the way we roll dood.

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • jungle J
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:54pm

    many if not most professing Christians are mentally ill..Tebow needs to be sure he isn’t burried under their weight. most people that see t do his religious thing are on his side..the ones that are not wll not learn a thing from him..they will from giving Christians not talking Christians.

    Report Post »  
    • PKama
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 6:45pm

      I can’t seem to understand a word you are saying. It seems to me that you are just an ignorant person. If that is the case, then I won’t press my point any further.

      Report Post » PKama  
    • JoeyGoogootz
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:38pm

      Read this when sober and see if it makes sense to you.

      Report Post »  
    • ahull15
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:47pm

      And here’s what happens when you take LSD before posting a comment

      Report Post »  
    • THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 12:54am

      Tpwillie is that you? Lol

      Report Post » THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:18am

      whoa!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • bsnrn98
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:53pm

    I am so proud of Tim. Keep on Tebowing!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:35pm

    Tim does not care what others think. He is a true Disciple of Christ and is not afraid to show it. He is a man among men. He will lose and still give glory to God.
    Go Tim!

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:43pm

      100% correct Baddoggy!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • IRNAggie
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:59pm

      a minor suggestion – I believe that he is a man among BOYS, not men…

      Report Post »  
    • the_zazzy
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 6:42pm

      Actually, he’s a man among haters! He has such strong convictions and positive attitude. I really hope he succeeds at the highest level, so it can just irritate all those who said he couldn’t do it.

      Report Post » the_zazzy  
  • HuckleberryFriend
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:15pm

    People give Tebow a hard time because he wears his religion on his sleeve while most of us hide anything that is special to us under the covers in a locked chest. If only we all were made of that kind of material, the world would be a much bolder place.

    Report Post » HuckleberryFriend  
    • JRook
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:18pm

      “Imagine for a second, the Denver Broncos quarterback is a devout follower of Islam, sincere and principled in his beliefs and thus bowed toward Mecca to celebrate touchdowns.” Who is she kidding. If that were the case people on here would go crazy regarding the show of faith and consider it a mocking of America and Christianity.

      Report Post »  
    • Jennifer_D
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:30pm

      A bolder and better place!

      Report Post » Jennifer_D  
    • HuckleberryFriend
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:39pm

      @JROOK
      Not everyone is as close minded as you think. Some of us are not offended that some folks believe different than us. Just like I find it ridiculous that some are offended by calling it a “Christmas Tree”, I don’t get offended when people mention Ramadan, or Hanukkah, or Festivus. It would be nice if everyone agreed with me, but it is okay if they don’t. How hard is that?

      Report Post » HuckleberryFriend  
  • FB247
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:10pm

    Many sportscasters are waiting for Tim to fail, waiting with baited breath to see how he responds to what they will call “failure”. But they don’t understand that Tim will give thanks to his Lord even in times of defeat. Tim knows who is his Strong Tower.

    Report Post »  
  • Tex Expatriate
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:08pm

    Athiests are very aggressive in attacking Christianity but not Islam because they are cowards and because there is a veneer of respectability to it (thank you ACLU and Democrats). God bless Ms. Jennifer Floyd Engel for defending Tim Tebow and raising the issue of hypocrisy where Tebow’s critics are concerned. The witless celebrations of other players are more often praised and enjoyed than they are criticized.

    Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:04pm

    God bless Tebow. He is brave and he declares his belief in Christ no matter what people may think or say. We Christians should all be so brave. There is no shame in belief in Christ. It is honorable and Christianity is honorable. The writer was correct…; these media clowns and sports moguls would not be making fun of some muslim if he openly declared his belief in Islam. Hypocrisy of the lett…..

    Report Post »  
  • BannedByHuffpo
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:59pm

    He’s a very talented athlete that exhibits a lot of character in his behavior on and off the field. I‘m glad to see that his critics can’t seem to get under his skin. I’m hopeful that his will be a long and successful career with the Broncos.

    Report Post » BannedByHuffpo  
    • Libertarian B 4 Libertarians Were Cool
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:08pm

      There’s alot of hypocrisy in Christianity (as with all religions)… But Tim Tebow is a shining example of a person who genuinely believes, does great works, and exhibits stellar integrity. Supporting hospitals and orphanages in the Philipeans, visiting kids with cancer around the Denver area, embracing his position as a role model. I’m confident in saying: the world would be a wonderful place to live if more people were like him.

      Report Post » Libertarian B 4 Libertarians Were Cool  
    • ahull15
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:49pm

      @ Libertarian B 4 Libertarians Were Cool

      - Can you please give me an example of hypocrisy in Christianity? Do you mean the people or the belief itself?

      Report Post »  
    • Libertarian B 4 Libertarians Were Cool
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:01pm

      ahull15 I should have been clearer. The people Swaggert, Baker, Haggard, Catholic pedophilia cover-ups etc. My statement was not clear.

      Report Post » Libertarian B 4 Libertarians Were Cool  
  • ComradeAdam
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:54pm

    I find people will find fault and tear down those that stand as an example because it casts a spotlight on their own shortcomings. If everyone is acting poorly, then its ok to act poorly. If there are those that try to elevate their actions, then those that act poorly are seen as acting poorly.

    Report Post » ComradeAdam  
    • mountainmover101
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 5:04pm

      That is the goal of all socialism. Everyone must be reduced to the lowest common denominator.

      Report Post »  
  • texanpatriot
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:49pm

    Jesus said: “I have been persecuted and you will be also.” A Christian knows that when we ‘promote’ or lead with our faith we will be called out by the world. The enemy cannot stand someone who proudly and overtly loves the Savior.
    The other side of the coin is that when you are public to your beliefs then the consequences are that you will be reviled and ‘persecuted’ in many ways.
    There is another scripture that Tim seems to follow: “Work with all of your heart as if working for the Lord – not for man”.
    We will know where people stand by how they treat Tim Tebow. Elway and Warner have already spoken – and now Engel…
    God bless Tim Tebow for his willingness to witness to a lost and dying world.

    Report Post » texanpatriot  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:34pm

    He was ALSO blessed with talent and VERY GOOD LOOKS. So handsome and so honorable. I love this guy and I don’t think others SHOULD mock him, but like him.. I DON’T really care…. STILL LOVE HIM.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • KwikKarl
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:32pm

    Role model….

    Report Post » KwikKarl  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:28pm

    Good job Engel, I know your fellow sports journalist will give you a hard time for standing up for Tebow. Most of them can’t wait to see him fail.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • kalayaan
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:23pm

    I will include Tim Tebow in my prayers everyday so that will keep him and his family safe, shower him with blessings and more victories in the field…

    Salute to Tim Tebow !!!!!….may his tribe multiply….

    Report Post »  
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