I know, I know, God doesn’t care who wins football games—I think. But I do know God likes drama; the Bible is full of it. And Tim Tebow is nothing if not a source of drama. Yesterday’s amazing win over the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers just added to the young legend. I it had to be this way didn’t it? At least for one more week.
Some weeks ago, prior to playing the New England Patriots, Tebow was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. As many know, there is a thing called the Sports Illustrated jinx; get on the cover of the magazine, and good play and good luck turn into bad. I don’t believe in jinxes, but it didn’t surprise me when Tebow started playing down to expectations. He wasn’t bad in the New England game, but in the next two games against the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs he was horrible.
So, coming into the game against Pittsburgh almost no one gave him or the Broncos a chance against the mighty Steelers, last year’s AFC champs with a 12-4 record this year. Even though Pittsburgh was banged up, including their star quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, there was no way the nine-point underdog Broncos could win, especially as terrible as they played the last two weeks. Turns out it was all a nice setup for some more Tebow magic.
I’m sure you’ve seen or read about it by now, but I was sure, as the Steelers came marching back, that the Broncos had to come up short this time, especially when they were driving toward a score in the final minutes and Willis McGahee fumbled a sure first down and gave the ball back to Pittsburgh.
That only added to the drama. Cut to overtime, the Broncos get the ball, and 11 seconds later on an 80 yard pass play on the first play from scrimmage, Tebow fans nationwide erupt in cheers at the winning touchdown. Skeptics undoubtedly had a hard time not being amazed as well.
I don’t believe in coincidences, so how strange, or amazing, is it that with that 80 yard touchdown pass play, Tebow racked up 316 yards for his career-best passing day. Not 315; not 314, but exactly 316. You may remember that there has been a bit of controversy over Tebow’s public displays of his faith, going back to his time at Florida when he put a certain Bible verse in the eye black under his eyes. Guess which verse that was? Yep, John 3:16:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
As I’ve heard a number of NFL commentators say over the last couple months, you just can’t make this stuff up!