Tim Tebow, free-agent NFL quarterback, has a big fan in Walker, Texas Ranger.

With Tebow still looking for a job in football, actor/marital arts legend Chuck Norris has written him a recommendation letter of sorts. In a column for a non-profit site called Newsbusters, Norris posted a column endorsing Tebow as what he calls a UCP: An Ultimate Clutch Player.
Tim Tebow has a big fan in Chuck Norris. (AP Photo)Norris spun off the term from UFC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Part of the reason he likes Tebow is that’s he a different kind of fighter — a “warrior” and “leader” who, to him, is like a young Norris.

“Tebow is a player who rises to the occasion and delivers big in critical moments,” Norris wrote. “He reminds me of myself when I used to compete in martial arts.”

Norris also suggests that the Jacksonville Jaguars should sign Tebow, although the organization and its diehard fans don’t have any interest in Tebow playing for the team. He points out the usual facts, that Tebow is a winner “plain and simple” from the University of Florida who hails from the state of Florida. To make his point clearer, he says if the Jaguars go for Tebow, they would be meeting the challenge of words Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

While Tebow, the former New York Jets and Denver Broncos player, still has many fans, there’s little interest among NFLs team to add him at this point in the offseason. No word if Tebow is working out with Total Gym to keep himself in game shape.

The post Tim Tebow has a big fan in Chuck Norris appeared first on .

Angie Gregory Online
Friday, May 17, 2013
TIM TEBOW: WHY WE REALLY LIKE HIM SO MUCH

Certain people in the NFL are blaming Tim Tebow’s fans for hurting his chances at ever being a starting QB for a NFL team. I had no idea who Tim Tebow was when he entered the intensive-care hospital room of my 4-year-old terminally ill nephew in 2009. He was a college hero but I wasn’t a sports fan so I didn’t care that the nursing staff treated him like he was a rock star. IT WAS HIS HUMILITY THAT IMPRESSED ME, ALMOST INSTANTLY. I LIKED HIS CHARACTER, HIS CHARM. HE HAS A LIGHT ABOUT HIM, A GENUINE LOVE FOR OTHERS THAT IS EASY TO ADMIRE. His uplifting visit brought joy to my nephew on a very rough day, one of the last days of his young life. That is what being a sports hero is about. At the end of the day, it’s not about mechanics or magazine covers or sports politics. It’s about inspiring someone so much that they can get behind you enough to put on a football jersey with your number on it. And Tim Tebow is better at that than anyone.

SOME PEOPLE ARE ENVIOUS OF THE TYPE OF DEVOTION TEBOW FANS HAVE FOR HIM. It makes them uncomfortable and rather than being honest with themselves about their envy, they shift the blame to us, the fans. They know that many of us became Tim Tebow fans for what he does off the field, rather than on it. Sure, we cheer him on from the stands and in front of our televisions. We are happy when he gets those wins. And no, we don’t care about his form, we’re more focused on his drive. But most importantly, WE LOVE THAT HE LIVES THE LIFE HE BELIEVES. Regardless if we personally agree with his beliefs or even share his faith at all, IT’S MORE ABOUT ROOTING FOR SOMEONE GENUINE, AUTHENTIC, A LEADER, A GUIDING LIGHT. Someone with class that is dedicated to his sport and his team, as well as to the values for which he stands. Someone who makes time for children fighting serious illnesses, orphans, and underprivileged kids from around the world. AND NONE OF IT IS AN ACT, OR SOMETHING HE IS FORCED TO DO; HE IS A GENUINE HUMAN BEING AND THAT IS REFRESHING AND INSPIRING. HE REMINDS US WHAT TRUE LEADERSHIP AND SPORTSMANSHIP IS ALL ABOUT.

So, yes, he brings people to the stands that might never watch a football game otherwise. We buy his jerseys, hashtag him on our social media, and even “Tebow” for photos. WE KNOW HE’S NOT PERFECT, HE IS ONLY HUMAN BUT HE’S OUR HERO. HE’S SOMEONE THAT WE CAN RALLY BEHIND BECAUSE OF HIS STRONG CHARACTER. We know he is criticized for his throwing motion but we also know that he is a talented athlete with a long list of wins, trophies, awards. He is a capable quarterback with a relentless drive to succeed that just happens to have millions of “crazed” fans that cheer him on.

MOST ANY LEGEND HAS A DIE-HARD FOLLOWING. WE BELIEVE THAT TEBOW IS THE STUFF THAT LEGENDS ARE MADE of and if given a fair shake, he can become all that we know he can be. He already is a legend off the field, he deserves to expand beyond his amazing collegiate career and brief run in the NFL to become a full-time starting QB. His short-lived time with the Denver Broncos was only glimpse at his ability to win and the NY Jets never let him shine.

IF TIM TEBOW WASN’T SUCH A STELLAR HUMAN BEING, PERHAPS HE WOULDN’T HAVE THE “FAN PROBLEM.” BUT THEN AGAIN, HE WOULDN’T BE TIM TEBOW, THE QB WITH ENOUGH CHARACTER TO BRING PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TOGETHER TO FILL THE STANDS TO CHANT “TEBOW!” AND ENOUGH TALENT AND DRIVE TO GET THE WIN, bringing in even more Tebow fans. To me, it doesn’t seem that having a huge fan base should be a problem. Maybe those who use that excuse should try again.

See Angie’s original post here with pictures of Tim visiting her four-year-old dying nephew in ICU.

The post One Response to “Tim Tebow shares stories of hope at fundraiser appeared first on .

Link To

The post Jacksonville Jaguars Rumors: Tim Tebow Decision Big Mistake As Gus Bradley Evaluates Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne In OTAs At Quarterback appeared first on .

Tim Tebow came home on Friday night with a message that’s become a recurring theme in his ministry.

NFL quarterback or not — and he’s not right now after being released by the New York Jets — Tebow’s going to continue using the platform that he’s been given to make an impact any way that he can.

Tebow spoke at New Life Christian Fellowship as part of his Inspire series. Recently named the world’s most influential athlete by Forbes, Tebow didn’t talk about his lofty status, or future as an NFL player. While the debate about where the former Nease High and University of Florida star will end up continues to drag on, that wasn’t the message.

Tebow instead chose to share numerous stories from his well-known words of faith and hope. Tebow, who wasn’t made available to the media, talked about everything from his competitive nature as a 4-year-old tee-ball player (his coach thought Tebow’s mentality was a little too much), to his most forgettable recruiting trip in high school (Notre Dame). Most of the stories began with sports and ended with some tie to faith or humility.

For many in the audience, it was a chance to see and hear Tebow without “Jets” or “Jaguars” or “throwing motion” attached. It was a simple night that several people said was like a conversation around a table with an old friend. New Life’s Melodee Nobles said that 750 people attended the event.

“It was fun out there, how can it not be with that guy out there,” said Denny Thompson, a Providence assistant football coach who helped WJXL radio host Joe Cowart with an auction of Tebow-related memorabilia that raised ,700. “It was a great night out there.”

Providence junior Jack Halton, a tight end on the Stallions football team, said the night allowed the audience to hear Tebow, unscripted, talk about more than just football.

“You don’t get to see who’s behind the pads and we got a chance to see that,” Halton said. “He goes out of his way to reach out to kids. It’s just great to see that even someone [famous] like him will do that. I thought he was great.”

Outside of the Florida-Florida State zingers that drew the most applause, Tebow’s football line of the night came when Erik Dellanback asked about the most memorable moment of his 2011 season with the Denver Broncos.

“One of my favorite stories, ironically, was against the New York Jets,” Tebow said of a Nov. 17 game, a 17-13 Broncos win.

“And probably my greatest Jets highlight, I guess.”

Dellenback, executive director of Tebow’s foundation, said that some of the most special events that Tebow takes part in are those like Friday’s. Tebow does about 20 events every year like the Inspire forum. “We get to play a small part in making a difference,” Dellenback said. “God changes people we just get an opportunity to plant the seed.”

The post Tim Tebow shares stories of hope at fundraiser appeared first on .

So, I’ve been thinking of blogging about Tim Tebow all week because I heard a Jacksonville radio ad last Sunday by an area lawyer addressing Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. The ad basically said to give Tebow a chance in Jacksonville … and that by doing so, the Jaguars would sell seats. I agree.

And that’s why I’m blogging about Tebow. People who know me know that I’m not a sports fan. … However, Tebow holds a special place in my memory.

I started working at the Record when he was playing high school football right here in St. Johns County … When it all began for him.

At that time, our sports writers (Justin Barney,  Hays Carlyon, and Stuart Korfhage) started writing about him. Then Tebow went off to the University of Florida and made even bigger headlines.

That’s why I’m a Tebow fan. Not a football fan, but a Tebow fan. Long before “Tebowing,” long before Denver and New York.

His legend started as a quarterback for Nease High School, where he was named Florida’s Mr. Football and a Parade All-American. Tim Tebow

Speaking of Justin Barney, here’s a Tebow blog he wrote on May 10 with the headline:

2 Cents: One final time, the Jaguars do not need Tim Tebow, period

http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2013-05-10/story/2-cents-one-final-time-jaguars-do-not-need-tim-tebow-period#ixzz2TYH657H2

I disagree with Barney. And I disagree with the following  story that ran yesterday (May 16) at www.sportsworldreport.com by Matthew Jussim with this headline:

Tim Tebow Rumors: Quarterback Hurt By Crazed Jacksonville Jaguars Fans

Here’s the link: http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/15273/20130516/tim-tebow-rumor…

I disagree that all the fan craze is hurting him, or his chances to play for the Jaguars. … Bring him to Jacksonville and the fans will fill the seats. And that’s my two cents.

Renee Unsworth is the arts and entertainment editor for the St. Augustine Record. Compass Magazine, the arts and entertainment publication of the Record, runs every Friday. To find stories online, go to staugusitne.com/entertainment. Email renee.unsworth@staugustine.com

The post Name dropping … Tim Tebow radio ad appeared first on .

Following Super Bowl XLVII, the conversation on all sports talk shows was: Is QB Joe Flacco, also known as Average Joe, an elite National Football League quarterback?

In the weeks after XLVII, I debated this question with numerous co-workers in the Ticket Office and always presented the same argument: Joe won a ring and was named Most Valuable Player of the Super Bowl, ergo facto, he is an elite quarterback.

Including Flacco, 26 quarterbacks were named Super Bowl MVP. Of those 26, 13 were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and eight are still active. The remaining five: Jim Plunkett (Oakland Raiders, XV), Phil Simms (New York Giants, XXI), Doug Williams (Washington Redskins, XXII), Mark Rypien (Washington Redskins, XXVI) and Kurt Warner (St. Louis Rams, XXXIV). Many analysts and experts argue that not a single member of the 26 MVP quarterbacks will be denied entry to the Hall of Fame.

So, is Joe Flacco elite?

The argument cannot be based solely on the amount of Super Bowl rings, as the counter-argument is almost always centered on Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins). He is second in career passing yards (61,361) and third in career passing touchdowns (420), but he never won a ring. Marino is widely considered one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, but not the best of all-time. And why not? In my opinion, because he never won a Super Bowl.

Not winning is the issue for Marino.
Winning is the issue for Flacco.
And winning appears to be the issue for Tim Tebow, as well.

I am a “stats guy” by profession, but I am also a self-proclaimed believer in Tim Tebow. I could list hundreds of reasons why Tebow should be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but they would all be heart-felt and statistic-less. That being said, I will present the statistical argument for Tebow. Because as the ESPN show says: Numbers Never Lie.

Let me begin by building my credibility in saying that the Denver Broncos did not, I repeat, did not make a mistake in choosing Peyton Manning over Tebow. Manning is a future Hall of Fame member and current top-five quarterback. But let me also say that Tebow is no slouch.

Tebow started 11 games at quarterback for the Broncos in 2011 and finished the regular season with a 7-4 record as a starter (.636 winning percentage). His passer rating was 72.9. He completed 46.5 percent of his passing attempts (126-271) for 1,729 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tebow also rushed for 660 yards on 122 attempts (5.4 yards per carry) and six touchdowns. He lost six fumbles, however, for a total touchdown-to-turnover ratio of 3:2 (or 1.5:1).

In comparison to the 2012 season, Tebow produced greater than/equal to the following starting quarterbacks in the respective categories (quarterbacks needed to start more than half of the regular season games or be benched midway through the season due to poor performance in order to qualify for comparison):

Note: For the purposes of comparison, each team is allotted one starting quarterback (the better of the two or three who played) as determined by me (with the exception of the Arizona Cardinals).

Passer rating: Brandon Weeden (Cleveland Browns, 72.6), Mark Sanchez (New York Jets, 66.9), Matt Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs, 66.7) and any Arizona Cardinal.
In 2011, Tebow posted a better passer rating than four of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

Completion percentage: None.
In 2011, Tebow did not post a better completion percentage than any of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

Passing touchdowns: Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles, 12), Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins, 12), Jake Locker (Tennessee Titans, 10), Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers, 10), Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville Jaguars, 9) and any Arizona Cardinal.
In 2011, Tebow threw more passing touchdowns than six of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

Passing yards: Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville Jaguars, 1,662) and any Arizona Cardinal.
In 2011, Tebow threw for more passing yards than two of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

Interceptions: All except Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers, 3), Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins, 5) and Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville Jaguars, 6).
In 2011, Tebow threw fewer interceptions than 29 of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

Rushing yards: All except Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins, 815) and Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers, 741).
In 2011, Tebow rushed for more yards than 30 of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

Rushing touchdowns: All except Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers, and Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins, 7).
In 2011, Tebow rushed for more touchdowns than 30 of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

Touchdown-to-turnover ratio: Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1.4:1), Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys, 1.3:1), Philip Rivers (1.2:1), Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts, 1.2:1), Carson Palmer (Oakland Raiders, 1.2:1), Christian Ponder (Minnesota Vikings, 1.2:1), Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears, 1.1:1), Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions, 1.1:1), Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills, 1.1:1), Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:1), Michael Vick (0.9:1), Brandon Weeden (Cleveland Browns, 0.8:1), Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins, 0.8:1), Jake Locker (Tennessee Titans, 0.7:1), Mark Sanchez (including one butt fumble; New York Jets, 0.5:1) and Matt Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs, 0.4:1).
In 2011, Tebow posted a better turnover-to-touchdown ratio than 16 of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

Disclaimer: I may have inadvertently missed or miscalculated a quarterback or two, but you understand my point.

But perhaps most importantly…

Winning percentage: All except Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons, .813), Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos, .813), Matt Schaub (Houston Texas, .750), Tom Brady (New England Patriots, .750), Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers, .688), Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts, .688), Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks, .688 [sort of; replacement referees]) and Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears, .667).
In 2011, Tebow posted a better winning percentage than 24 of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

Playoff wins: All except Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens, four) and Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers, two).
In 2011, Tebow won as many or more playoff games than 30 of the 2012 starting quarterbacks.

In the Denver Broncos’ win versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, the game unofficially known as The 3:16 Game, Tebow completed 10 passes for 316 yards (an average of 31.6 yards per completion), two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He rushed for 50 yards and one touchdown. On the first play from scrimmage in overtime, Tebow threw a perfectly placed ball to a slanting Demaryius Thomas for an 80-yard, game-winning touchdown.

In the 2011 playoffs, Tebow was sixth (out of 12) in total passing yards, seventh in passing touchdowns and seventh in quarterback rating (despite playing only two games). His 316-yard performance on Wild-Card Weekend was the sixth-most passing yards in a 2011 postseason game by any quarterback.

Granted, Tebow struggled at times and it was not pretty. On November 13 versus the Kansas City Chiefs, Tebow finished 2-8 for 69 yards and one touchdown…in a win. Nearly two months later and versus the same team, he finished 6-22 for 60 yards and one interception in a 7-3 loss.

In 2012, Christian Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) threw for 58 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a 21-14 win versus the Arizona Cardinals. Two games later, he threw for 63 yards and one interception in a 30-20 loss versus the Seattle Seahawks. Four games later, he threw for 91 yards and one interception in a 21-14 win versus the Chicago Bears.

Sound familiar? Or sound worse?

In the movie Moneyball, Billy Beane (portrayed by Brad Pitt) defends one of his potential players to his dismissive scouts by saying: “He gets on base a lot. Do I care if it’s a walk or a hit? Pete?” Peter Brand, his new Assistant General Manager replies: “You do not.”

Tim Tebow wins games. Do I care if it’s by one point or three touchdowns? Do I care if he throws for 60 yards or 300 yards? Do I care if he turns the ball over one time or seven times? If he wins, I do not. And he wins.

How come quarterbacks (with the exception of Dan Marino) are judged on wins, but Tebow and Flacco are judged on how they win?

In addition, Tebow is a role model and a positive locker-room presence. He is the type of player and person that teams and fans should want; the type they need. A wide receiver with three arrests in a seven-day span is not the type of player or person teams and fans need.

In my opinion, Tim Tebow is as good or better than the projected starting quarterback on the following teams: Buffalo Bills (Tarvaris Jackson), New York Jets (Mark Sanchez), Cleveland Browns (Brandon Weeden), Jacksonville Jaguars (Blaine Gabbert), Tennessee Titans (Jake Locker), Oakland Raiders (Matt Flynn), Minnesota Vikings (Christian Ponder) and Arizona Cardinals (Carson Palmer).

I left out two that I wanted to include, but felt it necessary in order to retain my objectivity and credibility.

And I would be remiss if I did mention my initial plan (since the end of the season) for Tebow: starter for the Washington Redskins until RGIII is healthy. His skill set, playing style, actions and words would be an excellent fit with that team and coaching staff and, to be frank, would be a better fit than Kirk Cousins.

Is Tebow being blackballed because of the “media circus” by which his presence is accompanied? Is he being blackballed because he has John 3:16 and Philippians 4:13 written on his eyeblack? Is it because his completion percentage is slightly below 50 percent? Or is it because, instead of showing his championship belt or dancing the salsa after he scores a touchdown, he drops to one knee?

While it may surpass all understanding, one thing is for certain: Tebow is not being blackballed for his winning percentage.

Sign Tim Tebow.

Win games.

You’ve got to have faith.

You’ve got to believe.

Or, at the very least, you’ve got to be logical.

Because much like the ball…numbers never lie.

The post I Want My Quarterback: The case for Tim Tebow that teams can take to the bank… appeared first on .