Why God is a Denver Bronco Fan
by L. Stewart Marsden
In two words, God is a Denver Bronco fan because of Tim Tebow. Who can argue with the facts? Football know-all, see-all (omniscient?) pundits argue Tebow does not have what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. Yet, since taking over the helm of the then 1 and 4 Broncos, the incompetent Tebow has led the team to a 5 and 1 turnaround and Denver now leads the AFC West Division.
Tebow’s current stats include ten passing touchdowns with one interception, and a total of 468 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
While he is an icon for Christian teens, Tebow is the bane of nonChristian everybody else.
So what gives?
Okay — I don’t really believe God is a Bronco fan. Actually, I think He started out the season favoring the Lions! But then, Suh and others . . . never mind.
There are 1,696 players in the NFL — give or take. Of that number, how many believe in God? I’m guessing quite a few. When I see a player cross into the end zone and point his index finger skyward and look up, I’m thinking “That guy believes in God.” That’s not always true, I’m sure. Perhaps the acknowledgement is for a loved one who has passed.
The point is this: why would God favor one player over others? The Bible says all are subject to good times and bad. Success is not necessarily an indication of one’s favor with God — otherwise we’d be forced to say that all those grossly wealthy investors on Wall Street are resting in the palm of the Lord.
Sorry, Denver — I don’t think God is a Bronco fan. I think Tim Tebow is a God fan to the point he truly believes “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He has bought into that. And in that transaction, he has the confidence to lead and to encourage his fellow teammates to victory. He has infected the team with the belief of success. A kind of Norman Vincent Peale attitude.
Over on the East coast in North Carolina is another quarterback, Cam Newton, who has simply amazed those same pundits with his infectiously animated play. The guy is breaking rookie records left and right. But the Panthers are 4 and 8 in wins/losses. Very close to the losing record that enabled Carolina to draft Newton this spring. And, again, nay sayers judged early on that Newton would struggle as an NFL quarterback. It’s true — the team has struggled for wins — but Cam Newton’s incredible first-year successes point to him as the odds-on favorite for Rookie of the Year honors.
That leadership confidence, mentioned earlier about Tim Tebow, has so infected the Panther organization as well as fans that all can hardly wait each week for Game Day. We’re humming the Beatles’ tune, “I’ve got to admit it’s getting better; it’s a little better all the time.”
One team has a chance to vie for the play-offs; the other, to be the spoiler of wannabee play-off contenders. Both are blessed with QBs who have raised the level of play for each team with their enthusiasm and determination to overcome and win.
I could say God is a Carolina fan — but I won’t. (Those Chapel Hill fans might misinterpret and get a little headier, in spite of UNLV and Kentucky!)
