*It seems that even with the NFL in the off-season, it is still dominiating headlines. The main thing being Peyton Manning going to Denver. After a couple of weeks of meetings with different teams, Peyton decided to go with Denver. In some ways it wasn't surprising but in some ways it was given that the other two teams in the running was San Francisco (which was in the NFC Title game last year) and Tennessee (the state where he went to college). The domino effect was that Tim Tebow was then traded from Denver to the New York Jets, which in and of itself was kind of a shocker given they already have a starting QB in Mark Sanchez & there was a team in Jacksonville which seemed like a great fit (not far from where Tebow went to college, could step right in and be the starter). It will be interesting how Tebow will fit in with the Jets. I know he'll want to be the starter but it'll be hard to supplant Sanchez unless he gets hurt or plays really really bad. It'll also be interesting how the faith aspect will come into play given the Jeremy Lin phenomenon that took place for a few months before dying out. Will Tebow garner as much or more than Lin did? Will it be for a sustained period? It's only March but there's enough stories that'll probably last until training camps start.
*I've been keeping up with March Madness and my brackets have been decent to poor. One of these days I'll have a bracket that's like top notch. The final four is Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas & Ohio State (out of which I consensusly picked 3, missed out with Louisville). I do get the feeling this is shaping up to be another 2008. That year of course Kansas beat UNC on it's way to the title game. Kansas also faced off against a team coached by John Calipari. Kansas wasn't thought of to win the title. John Calipari's team had the best player in the country. See what I mean? Don't be surprised come Tuesday morning if it's Rock Chalk Jayhawk being bantered about. What would be even more eerie is if Calipari then decided to take the NY Knicks job and then it's found out that Anthony Davis had some kind of academic issues and then Kentucky was put on probation like Memphis was with Derrick Rose. Food for thought...
*The MLB regular season started today in Japan with the Mariners and the A's. I caught the game from about the 6th inning on. A couple of things: 1) I love watching live sports in the morning. It's nice to be able to tune in and see sports live while eating breakfast or getting ready for work. 2.) I am getting old. There was a statistic given during the game that Ichiro was the first M's player to get 4 hits in an opening day game since Ken Griffey Jr. did it in 1990. 1990 as in 22 years ago. Yes I am getting old. 3.) For what it's worth, the M's are in 1st place. 161 games to go but it's a good start.
Showing posts with label tebow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tebow. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Random Sports Reflections on Leap Day
Today is Leap Day, otherwise known as my birthday. Hope all of you celebrate Leap Day accordingly and responsibly.
*I'm getting excited for March Madness. Even though the first part of the college baskeball season I really didn't keep up with things, I have in the last month or so. Living in a city with pretty decent mid-major schools (USC Upstate, Wofford), I've got to watch some pretty good basketball. I'm hoping both teams win their conference tourneys and make the Big Dance. They have the ability to if things fall the right way. Emphasis on the "fall the right way".
*Baseball season is about to get going as well. It's weird not living in an MLB city for the first time since 2004 (Although Atlanta is only a few hours away). I'm excited to see how the Royals will do. They might actually do something this year hopefully.
*It's cool that in pro sports there are guys at the highest level that are living out their faith for Jesus and it's protrayed (mostly) in a positive manner in the media. From Tim Tebow, to Jeremy Lin, to Clayton Kershaw, there are lots of examples. I hope that trend will continue. It's good to hear positive stories about athletes than negative ones.
*I'm getting excited for March Madness. Even though the first part of the college baskeball season I really didn't keep up with things, I have in the last month or so. Living in a city with pretty decent mid-major schools (USC Upstate, Wofford), I've got to watch some pretty good basketball. I'm hoping both teams win their conference tourneys and make the Big Dance. They have the ability to if things fall the right way. Emphasis on the "fall the right way".
*Baseball season is about to get going as well. It's weird not living in an MLB city for the first time since 2004 (Although Atlanta is only a few hours away). I'm excited to see how the Royals will do. They might actually do something this year hopefully.
*It's cool that in pro sports there are guys at the highest level that are living out their faith for Jesus and it's protrayed (mostly) in a positive manner in the media. From Tim Tebow, to Jeremy Lin, to Clayton Kershaw, there are lots of examples. I hope that trend will continue. It's good to hear positive stories about athletes than negative ones.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Random Sports Reflections
Lot to talk about (hopefully I'll get back into a regular blogging routine in 2012) so it's bullet point time:
*I can't say that I'm disappointed about the BCS Championship Game, because it being the BCS, one should not be surprised. I've said it before & I'll say it again, if every level of football except Division 1 football can have a playoff and do well with it, why not them too? I had several discussions on facebook about it, almost to the point that I got sick of it. I don't fault my friends who are Alabama fans who are happy about being in the national championship game but the BCS is a messed up system. Would a playoff be perfect? No, but at least a championship would be decided on the field and not by computers and voters. Maybe someday there will be one but we'll see.
*Lots of Tim Tebow talk going around. It seems every week (or even every day) there is new Tebow talk. In a lot of ways it reminds me of Brett Favre and the media attention he got in the past few years. It seems a lot of writers and media come up with a story, slap Tim Tebow's name on it and boom. Given the 24/7 nature of news (sports or general), it's a given. But there comes a point when a lot of it is just rehashed news (he's not seen as the QB of the future, his faith being mocked, etc) pointing back at events that were a month or more ago. It will be interesting to see how long this media frenzy will hold up. When the offseason comes, will the Tebow talk still continue? Should be interesting.
*Albert Pujols signed with the Anaheim Angels (still refuse to call them the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) this morning. I can't fault him for signing the 10 year 250+ million dollar contract. I just fault him for signing with the Angels, mainly because they're a rival of the Mariners & it means for the next 10 years (barring him waiving the no-trade clause) I'll have to root against him. Well I guess there's Tim Tebow to root for.
*I can't say that I'm disappointed about the BCS Championship Game, because it being the BCS, one should not be surprised. I've said it before & I'll say it again, if every level of football except Division 1 football can have a playoff and do well with it, why not them too? I had several discussions on facebook about it, almost to the point that I got sick of it. I don't fault my friends who are Alabama fans who are happy about being in the national championship game but the BCS is a messed up system. Would a playoff be perfect? No, but at least a championship would be decided on the field and not by computers and voters. Maybe someday there will be one but we'll see.
*Lots of Tim Tebow talk going around. It seems every week (or even every day) there is new Tebow talk. In a lot of ways it reminds me of Brett Favre and the media attention he got in the past few years. It seems a lot of writers and media come up with a story, slap Tim Tebow's name on it and boom. Given the 24/7 nature of news (sports or general), it's a given. But there comes a point when a lot of it is just rehashed news (he's not seen as the QB of the future, his faith being mocked, etc) pointing back at events that were a month or more ago. It will be interesting to see how long this media frenzy will hold up. When the offseason comes, will the Tebow talk still continue? Should be interesting.
*Albert Pujols signed with the Anaheim Angels (still refuse to call them the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) this morning. I can't fault him for signing the 10 year 250+ million dollar contract. I just fault him for signing with the Angels, mainly because they're a rival of the Mariners & it means for the next 10 years (barring him waiving the no-trade clause) I'll have to root against him. Well I guess there's Tim Tebow to root for.
Friday, November 4, 2011
How a Christian Can Be a Critic of Tim Tebow & Still Like the Guy
There have been a lot of articles (and by a lot I mean an exorbitant amount) written about Tim Tebow. There have been a lot of them written recently. Some of them are really good and some of them not so much. For a lot of people, the Denver Broncos QB is a polarizing figure. From where he went to college, to his faith, there seems to be a lot of reasons why people choose to be on opposite sides.
The problem comes when there is criticism (whether constructive or not) is placed on Tebow. On one side, any level of criticism regardless is seen as a personal attack on him. On the other side, people feel he gets a free pass and that he's been given a lot considering where he is and done.
Where do I stand on the matter? Given that I am a follower of Jesus, my worldview is in line with Tebow's. I don't know all his theological stands (I've never met him nor talked with him) but from what I've read and heard they are in line.
So do I feel that people who criticize him are persecuting him because of his faith? Not necessarily. Now granted there are some who are critical of him because of his faith but I'm sure they would be critical of me or any other Christian as well. But those who share criticism (particularly constructive criticism) are doing it of Tebow the player, not Tebow the person.
Right now he is a second year NFL QB. He has had at this point 5 NFL starts in 2 seasons. He has shown to make some spectacular plays. He has also looked really really bad. He was drafted by and for a head coach in Denver who is no longer there. He is under a head coach that didn't want him and for all intents and purposes still doesn't want him. There are some fundamental things as a QB he needs to learn to do (read defenses, anticipate throws, throw the ball to open receivers) that are slow in developing. Does this mean he is a bad person or that is challenging his faith? By no means. It's simply stating facts.
Tebow has been hurt in his development as an NFL QB because of the coaching change with the Broncos along with the NFL lockout which cut out the offseason of minicamps & a full training camp which would've benefited him greatly. It doesn't help that Cam Newton, who came from a similar style system in college & who was once Tebow's backup at Florida before transferring, has come out of the gate like gangbusters in his rookie year.
I like Tebow, despite the fact that he went to Florida. I think he needs to improve if he wants to be a starting QB in the NFL. I'm sure he understands that as well and is working hard to improve. Being critical about his timing or his tendency to take a lot of sacks is not the same thing about being critical about his faith. A Christian can be a critic of Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos QB and still like and support Tim Tebow the person.
The problem comes when there is criticism (whether constructive or not) is placed on Tebow. On one side, any level of criticism regardless is seen as a personal attack on him. On the other side, people feel he gets a free pass and that he's been given a lot considering where he is and done.
Where do I stand on the matter? Given that I am a follower of Jesus, my worldview is in line with Tebow's. I don't know all his theological stands (I've never met him nor talked with him) but from what I've read and heard they are in line.
So do I feel that people who criticize him are persecuting him because of his faith? Not necessarily. Now granted there are some who are critical of him because of his faith but I'm sure they would be critical of me or any other Christian as well. But those who share criticism (particularly constructive criticism) are doing it of Tebow the player, not Tebow the person.
Right now he is a second year NFL QB. He has had at this point 5 NFL starts in 2 seasons. He has shown to make some spectacular plays. He has also looked really really bad. He was drafted by and for a head coach in Denver who is no longer there. He is under a head coach that didn't want him and for all intents and purposes still doesn't want him. There are some fundamental things as a QB he needs to learn to do (read defenses, anticipate throws, throw the ball to open receivers) that are slow in developing. Does this mean he is a bad person or that is challenging his faith? By no means. It's simply stating facts.
Tebow has been hurt in his development as an NFL QB because of the coaching change with the Broncos along with the NFL lockout which cut out the offseason of minicamps & a full training camp which would've benefited him greatly. It doesn't help that Cam Newton, who came from a similar style system in college & who was once Tebow's backup at Florida before transferring, has come out of the gate like gangbusters in his rookie year.
I like Tebow, despite the fact that he went to Florida. I think he needs to improve if he wants to be a starting QB in the NFL. I'm sure he understands that as well and is working hard to improve. Being critical about his timing or his tendency to take a lot of sacks is not the same thing about being critical about his faith. A Christian can be a critic of Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos QB and still like and support Tim Tebow the person.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Reflections on Calling, Career and Baseball
I heard this story last week and I thought it was interesting. Grant Desme, a prospect for the Oakland A's, decided to quit baseball and follow after a calling to join the priesthood. It was first mentioned on ESPN.com and then this week Desme was interviewed with Dan Patrick. It was a really interesting interview and I would recommend listening to it if you get the chance. Here's a link to the interview.
One point that was brought up in the interview was a comparison between Tim Tebow and Grant Desme. Tebow is going to go to the NFL and use the platform as a professional athlete to share his faith while Desme is going into the priesthood to share his faith. I think it's hard to say that Desme is wrong for quitting baseball while he's still a good prospect (he was the Fall League MVP) and has an opportunity to make the big leagues. He feels lead by God to pursue ministry and that is something that we all must individually deal with.
I liked one quote that Desme said to Patrick. He said this "I want to throw everything I have into giving everything I have for God." That's something that I'd hope to do in my life.
One point that was brought up in the interview was a comparison between Tim Tebow and Grant Desme. Tebow is going to go to the NFL and use the platform as a professional athlete to share his faith while Desme is going into the priesthood to share his faith. I think it's hard to say that Desme is wrong for quitting baseball while he's still a good prospect (he was the Fall League MVP) and has an opportunity to make the big leagues. He feels lead by God to pursue ministry and that is something that we all must individually deal with.
I liked one quote that Desme said to Patrick. He said this "I want to throw everything I have into giving everything I have for God." That's something that I'd hope to do in my life.
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