The Difference with Tim Tebow
I remember when football nation was buzzing about Tim Tebow. Our family had just moved to Florida as Tim was graduating from high school. I told Rosemary this kid is going to be something special and we are going to have front row seats to his story, which was to play out at the University of Florida over the next four years.
Tim's college football career is now one of legend - a legend that is so popular, all one has to do to is type "Tim" into Google. Suggested search results has Tim Tebow in the third position.
I have seen close to eighty percent of UF's football games over the last four years on TV in addition to reading about the games and its program in our town's two newspapers. Aside from his work on the football field, there is almost always a mention of his work as a humanitarian. The manner in which the reporters and announcers talk about Tim is fascinating. It goes something like this: "You know all the hype you hear about Tebow? It's underrated. Tim Tebow is genuine, he's the real deal and until you meet and talk with him in person, it's impossible to get your mind around it."
Bill Billick mentioned it last night at the Sugar Bowl, Tim's record setting last game as a collegiate athlete. Billick had just met Tim for the first time this past week. You could tell, Billick, an ex NFL head coach and seasoned football guy, had been noticeably impacted upon by Tebow .
In Orlando, Florida, recently, Tim demonstrated why he is so different. Just ask Kelly Faughnan. But first one more Tebow story...
A friend of ours was interviewing a University of Florida student in the school cafeteria when another student approached, excused himself and asked the interviewee, who was wheel chair bound, how he was doing. The conversation was casual, lasted about fifteen minutes and it was obvious to our friend how much concern and care the student had for his wheel chair bound friend. After he left the student told our friend that was Tim Tebow, which had no impact whatsoever on our friend because she didn't know who Tim Tebow was. To me this represents a first hand, unbiased account of Tim's humanity. Now here's another:
Martin Fennelly of The Tampa Tribune tells the story here. Warning, this is a real good feel good story.
Here's what makes Tim different. After meeting and spending time with Kelly, most celebrities would wish her well and go on about their life. Tim Tebow, who hadn't known Kelly from Adam before that first evening, asked her if she would like to walk down the red carpet with him at the awards show the next day. Can you even possibly begin to imagine what Tim Tebow did for Kelly Faughnan? (here are some pics of the two)
Best wishes in the next stage of your life Tim.
