The worship and hatred of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow wouldn’t be any more intense if he was judged to be the second coming of Jesus Christ or openly professed his worshipping of the devil.
Both ends of the spectrum are misplaced.
The love is due to his seeming sincerity of religious beliefs.
The venom comes from the continuous inundation of Tebow, Tebow, Tebow everywhere we turn.
It’s not about him; it’s a commercialized creation by the media based on what the public wants.
Is his performance being affected by a higher power?
Put it this way: if Tebow thinks that there is a plan in place for him and he’ll be protected in the nuzzle of his all-encompassing devotion to Jesus, then that piety is providing him with a serenity and confidence to do the best he can and accept the result as part of the grand scheme—he plays the game without fear of failure; in that sense, he is being assisted by a higher power whether it’s actually there or not.
The fascination with Tebow isn’t a nodding approval that he’s a sound role model for young America; it’s due to the public’s demand for it.
Tebow attracts attention; attention drives ratings, webhits and magazine circulation; ratings, webhits and circulation raise ad prices; and ad prices generate money.
It’s not about Tebow; it’s not about Jesus; and it’s not about beliefs.
It’s about money.
Careful market research dictates what content ESPN and the other networks present to the public.
Because he’s so willing to share his testimony and give all glory to God, there’s a built-in audience for a handsome and salable Christian star. Now that he’s getting a chance to play and his image is bolstered further by on-field success in a most dramatic fashion week-after-week, it’s grown to proportions that both sides of the debate are engaged in a war-like battle over his worthiness of the constant press.
We still don’t know if he can play or is lucky. Is it a confluence of events that’s taken on a life of its own? Or will he fall back down to earth once the NFL catches up to him?
The ongoing vitriolic shoving match between defenders and supporters who have agendas of their own will go on and on until that determination is made.
Tebow credits his success to God. This offends people who wonder if there is a God and if the deity would or should care about the outcome of a football game while there’s so much suffering in the world.
Either way, you’re being manipulated if you partake in the Tebow-centric media blitz.
He’s either going to fade out or grow even more famous.
Even then, it won’t be about him; it will be about what he represents to his various constituencies—those who love him; those who hate him; and those who are using him.
It’s all the same in the end and once he’s gone, there will be something else.
He’s a product in a different package. Like any trend, he’ll last as long as he lasts and then the public will move on.
Because it’s not about him.
Not about him at all.
//
PAULLEBOWITZ.COM 