Tim Tebow: The Praise Is Overdone

Tim Tebow is obviously a great college football player.  Actually, anyone who wins a Heisman and two national titles in three years may even transcend greatness. But we've all  heard that before. 

In fact, if you haven't heard about how awesome Tim Tebow is, you probably live in a hole (or Tallahassee).  I mean, it's everywhere.  You hear about how he's giving speeches, sewing stitches, going on mission trips to the Philippines, teaching children, going to jails, going to a correctional facility, and oh yeah, winning football games.

The problem is, I've heard everything about Tebow four or five times!  I live in Ohio, but I still could still write volumes on Tebow's life. 

I'm sick of it.

I'm willing to bet that there are more people form the ages of 10-25 that have heard of Tebow than have heard of the runner-up in the Presidential election, John McCain. 

I get that Tebow is a great guy.  There is no problem with an athlete thanking God or saying that football isn't his first priority in life.  I don't even have a problem with Tebow.

I have a problem with the media canonizing him as St. Timothy.

In this day and age, there are many more negative stories about athletes than positive ones, but is Tebow the only one doing something good for the world?  Aren't there other athletes who are doing good things off the field?  Let's pull an Obama and "spread the wealth" a little bit.

Yeah, most of these stories don't involve mission trips to poor countries, but Tebow is a product of his environment.  His family has given him the opportunity to go on these mission trips.  And give Tebow the credit here because he has really embraced that opportunity, but what about the athletes who are not as privileged?

What about the UCF athletes spending time and raising money for the Central Florida Children's Home, an organization that cares from children ages 3-18 whose parents cannot or will not care for them?

What about former Ohio State Heisman winner Troy Smith?  Troy was dealt a rough slate growing up in Cleveland, one of the poorest cities in the countries, but he is an advocate to the community.  He speaks at detention centers, schools, and really makes a difference.

The point is Tebow is not the only high-profile athlete who does good things off the field.  Tebow deserves some recognition, but the media attention has been overwhelming for about a year and a half now.

I've even heard talk of him being "the greatest college athlete ever."  This is completely ridiculous.  Tebow isn't even the best athlete on his team.  Tebow may be the best football player, but Percy Harvin is a better athlete and more explosive.

I know Florida just won the championship and Tebow is the face of the team, but let's just lay off a little bit.

Please?