Those are not my words–I don’t agree with them. Those are the words of Kurt Warner, someone I respect deeply.
I met Kurt Warner last January at the BCS National Championship game. He sat in a box seat several rows behind us. I asked for his autograph for my grandson, Jake. He graciously consented and asked God for His blessing for Jake. He’s the real deal both as a championship quarterback and as a credible Christian. I take what Kurt Warner says seriously.
As quarterbacks, Kurt Warner and Tim Tebow are nothing alike. Kurt Warner had a big arm and gaudy stats. Tim Tebow is a tight end who happens to play quarterback. In their faith, they are both strong Christians who have been anything but quiet about their faith.
Which is why Warner’s recent comments about Tebow’s outward religious expression are particularly interesting.
In an interview with the Arizona Republic, Warner suggested that Tebow tone down his comments about faith.
“You can’t help but cheer for a guy like that,” former NFL star Kurt Warner said. “But I’d tell him, ‘Put down the boldness in regards to the words, and keep living the way you’re living. Let your teammates do the talking for you. Let them cheer on your testimony.’
“I know what he’s going through, and I know what he wants to accomplish, but I don’t want anybody to become calloused toward Tim because they don’t understand him, or are not fully aware of who he is. And you’re starting to see that a little bit.”
I deeply respect Kurt Warner and his opinion. He’s only trying to help Tim Tebow, but I tend to disagree. I thank God for people who both talk the talk and walk the walk. I point my grandsons to tough, accomplished professional football players like Kurt Warner and Tim Tebow. I thank God for people who are not afraid to live their faith before others.
In fact, I agree with the commentator on Fox News who asked a question that went something like this: “Wouldn’t it have been great if we had had a little bit more of Tim Tebow’s life and witness at Penn State?”
Now that is a question worth asking.
I have written two previous posts about Tim Tebow and about the situation at Penn State. You can read them here http://waylonbailey.com/2011/10/tim-tebow-faith-and-football-2/ and here http://waylonbailey.com/2011/11/what-joe-paternos-exit-teaches-us/.
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8 Responses
i agree with you doc. i thought tim’s response to jake plummer’s remarks were right on target concerning his love for the Lord and desire to lift Him up before the world. Jesus said that they hated and persecuted Him and they will do so to us if we stand with Him. tim is receiving that “hate” from those who have either rejected Christ or are under conviction. i admire kurt warner for his faith in Jesus, but he must remember that everyone of us is different and operates in a different way. tim has to listen to the Holy Spirit and speak boldly when the Spirit says to speak, not when others say to speak. i am praying that he will continue to walk humbly under the mighty hand of the Lord that he may be exalted to give glory to the Lord. i am praying that he will stand firm and resist all temptation to stray from the leading of the Spirit.
enjoy reading your posts. keep up the good work. by the way, my mother was a “tebow” before she and my dad married, so i’m half tebow and claim him as my “cuz.” lol! pulling for him.
Thanks for the comment. It’s good to hear from you. Didn’t know about the Tebow connection. Of course, back in the day we didn’t know any Tebows.
i know there are other tebows around, alot out in kansas, but never ran into any around here. did hear of some thibaults and other spellings in La that pronounce it the same way or similar. is kind of unusual name.
What a great quote!
“Wouldn’t it have been great if we had had a little bit more of Tim Tebow’s life and witness at Penn State?”
There are plenty of places that could use a little bit more of Tim Tebow’s life and witness
Thanks for all you do
All of the world needs salt and light. May we all be that in our world. People like Tim Tebow encourage me to live as salt and light.
I couldnt agree with you more, Doc. The Apostle Paul said, “We can but speak those things which we have seen and heard.” Thats what Tebow is doing. Wish we had more people who not only spoke out for Christ, but who lived it equally as well, so that both honor the Lord.
Thank God for both men. Both can be unique ministers as the spirit leads them in our hero worship world. Tim’s action and comments can provoke inquiry in those who may not fully understand his actions and comments because of who he is in the sports world. Let him cause young children to ponder. While he was playing in college, I looked for the scripture verse he put on his face any time I could watch him play and I have been a Christian for about 70 years. His display of respect for his mother is always appreciated. Matthew 13:57 , So they were offended by Him. But Jesus said to them, ” A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and his own house.
Geri