Tim Tebow: Selfless Attitude Will Have Positive Impact on QB's NFL Future

When Denver Broncos starting quarterback Kyle Orton struggled in the season opener against Oakland, the cries from the fans in the stadium for Tim Tebow reached a fever pitch. But there was one person who never said a word about anything: Tim Tebow.

Fans believe they have the answers to everything. If a player on their favorite team struggles one week, the only solution is to put in the backup. The backup player, specifically the backup quarterback, is the best player on the team.

Tebow is a different kind of animal. Not only is he the backup quarterback for the Broncos, but he is the most high-profile college player of all-time and a first-round draft pick. The fans see all of that and wonder why he is sitting on the bench.

But Tebow, to his credit, has never said a negative word about Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, John Fox or anyone else on the Broncos. He could if he wanted to because he is a superstar in the sports world and people will listen when he talks.

That is not Tebow's style, though. He knows that airing out any problems or frustrations in public is not going to do him or his team any favors. He wants the team to win, regardless of whether he is playing or not. Does he want to play? Absolutely. But he is not going to sell anyone out to try and get ahead.

When Tebow was asked to play receiver for a few plays two weeks ago, did he complain or raise an eyebrow? No. He went out and did the job that was asked of him. He said afterward that he was happy to help the team and that was it.

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How's it going to stunt my growth if I go out there on Sunday afternoon? We lose some receivers and I have to go out there and help the team. It's not like I'm going to the receivers' meetings. I'm just blessed to have the ability to go do it and if I'm asked to go do it, I help the team.

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Broncos fans want to believe that Tebow is the next John Elway. They want to believe that he is going to resurrect a franchise that has been mired in mediocrity for years. They want to believe that starting him right now changes everything.

But Tebow has not gotten sucked in by all the cheers directed towards him and jeers directed at Orton. He shows up to practice, works hard and awaits his chance to play.

Tebow's silence the last two years speaks volumes about his character and team-first mentality. He is going to get a chance to start somewhere, either in Denver or somewhere else, at some point, but for now he is doing his best to be a good teammate.