A New Direction for Sports Role Models For More On Tim Tebow...Click Below! Through My Eyes Nathan Whitaker Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey, Young Reader's Edition Tim Tebow "Tebow Time": The Biography of Tim Tebow Brody Anderson Growing Up Colt: A Father, a Son, a Life in Football Colt McCoy There has been a recent explosion on the sports scene that has created much interest, enthusiasm, but also a divide between fans. First, there is Tim Tebow. Coming out of Florida he stunned the nation with numerous incredible comebacks for the Denver Broncos. A team he started the season as the 3rd or some say the 4th best quarterback. A first round pick the experts said was not of first round quality. A player many so-called experts have said does not have the right qualities to play in the National Football League. Second, there is Jimmer Fredette. Coming out of Brigham Young University he captivated the country with a high-scoring, high-flying act that led his team roaring through March Madness. A first round, top 10 pick for the Sacramento Kings that the experts said was not of top ten quality. A player many so-called experts said does not have the right qualities to play in the National Basketball Association. That is not where the similarities end. Both are underdogs. Both are known to be very hard workers. Both have religious backgrounds, although Tebow wears his more on his sleeve. Fredette is more known just for coming out of a private, religious school. Both won tons of top awards in college. Both are clean-cut gentlemen you would have no problem bringing home to dinner, dating your sister, or watching the kids. Ultimately, both are role models. A new kind of role model rarely seen on the sports stage, which is now playing out across the NFL and the NBA - two of the most visible professional sports leagues. A role model based on ethics. On being a decent person. On being a nice person. And at the same time being a hard-working, excellent professional athlete. How many athletes have we seen tarnish their legacy and sports in general? OJ Simpson, Pete Rose, and Tiger Woods quickly come to mind.
Ethics, religion, and being a wonderful person are not qualities often associated with sports role models. And now we have two. Breaking onto the scene at about the same time. In different sports, but instantly carrying huge fan bases from across the country (in fact, across the world) because of who they are. Tebow is seen as a quarterback without a quick release, a long and slow throwing motion, and an inaccurate pass. Fredette is said to be too short to play the scoring guard position and he cannot defend anyone. But both have the "it" factor. The intangible that makes them winners and able to overcome physical limitations. Will they ultimately be successful at the professional level? Only time will tell. But in the meantime, they are great role models and are bringing millions of fans to watch their games. Without a doubt, the powers that be at the head offices, and probably even higher, hope that they succeed for a long, long time. For More On Tim Tebow...Click Below! Through My Eyes Nathan Whitaker Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey, Young Reader's Edition Tim Tebow "Tebow Time": The Biography of Tim Tebow Brody Anderson Growing Up Colt: A Father, a Son, a Life in Football Colt McCoy