Posted by
Juliana Johnson on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 12:02:55 PM
God.
Family. Academics. Football.
Those are the priorities, in order, of Tim Tebow, as he announced to the world
on Saturday night upon winning the Heisman Trophy as the nation's best
collegiate football player.
Tebow's is a story worth noting as we enter both college bowl season and the
holidays--a time when we are all called to reflect upon the priorities which
drive our lives and make the necessary adjustments.
Historically, sports have been ahead of the learning curve relative to offering
enlightened cultural norms--racial integration comes immediately to mind.
But lately that has not been the case--and the biggest names have served as the
worst examples.
The old Cold War joke about the East German women's swim team now applies to
basbeball's home-run king. Barry Bonds' legal troubles grow in his 40s the way
his hat size inexplicably did in his mid 30s.
Michael Vick, perhaps the greatest athlete ever to play quarterback, will spend
the next two years of his professional prime breaking big rocks into little
ones because of his inhumane hobby.
Alex Rodriguez has so little respect for the game and the ancillary ballplayers
that are not him that he allowed his serpentine agent to infringe upon the
well-deserved World Series championship celebration a fierce rival earned in
October.
The imperious Bill Belichick, coach of a NFL dynasty, cannot resist the
temptation to illicitly spy on an inferior rival in contravention of League
rules.
Against this backdrop of bad attitudes and worse judgments, Tim Tebow gives
thanks for everything he has, demonstrates an understanding of how he has
become everything he is, and expends everything he can in honor of his
priorities: God. Family. Academics. Football.
In a world dominated by the language of entitlement, the Florida quarterback
speaks of opportunity, as in he appreciates the ones he has been
given--beginning with the one provided by his mother who weathered a serious
illness that endangered her pregnancy to bear the fifth Tebow child, Tim.
In those intervening 20 years, Tebow has venerated his God-given talent by
remembering from whence it came and by not confusing his talent for his
identity.
In an arena replete with manufactured personalities, false humility and pro
forma praise, Tebow provides a genuine enthusiasm for the talents and contributions
of others, both teammates and competitors, as much as for his personal
achievements.
And he is only a sophomore.
Dan Proft is a Principal of Urquhart Media LLC, a Chicago-based public
affairs firm and political commentator for the Don Wade & Roma Morning Show
(5-9am) on Chicago's number one news talk radio station, WLS-AM 890. He can be
reached at dan@urqmedia.com.
For other Dan Proft commentaries (radio & print), please visit: http://www.urqmedia.com/proft/
For other recent Don Wade & Roma interviews, commentary, and discussions
visit: http://www.wlsam.com/sectional.asp?id=16410
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