Tim Tebow, His Character, and Why He Should Be One of Your Favorite NFL Players

Tim Tebow appears to have everything an NFL fan would want from their favorite player. He has a great work ethic, a dynamic personality, wonderful family values, and the passion to win every time he is on the field. He also understands why you hate him.

People (sports fans are the worst) love to take a great example of a person and keep chipping away at their exterior in order to have their "a-ha!" moment; finding something inside them that proves they are human like the rest of us. Fans love to hate, and that's because most of our sports careers ended somewhere around the 10th grade.

As much as you can't stand Tebow now, I was more anti-Tebow between 2006 and 2009 when he played for the Florida Gators. I wanted him to fail, but it wasn't because I didn't like who he was as a person. I was fed up with his glorified stats and accolades. The college game just seemed too easy for him, and his stats reflected that. There were not many fans outside of Gainesville pulling for Tim on a weekly basis, but how could it possibly have been due to his character?

When you hear the name Tim Tebow or see a highlight of him, why does it irk you so much? Is it his religious beliefs, or his model-like looks? The fact that your favorite team gave up so much to move up in the draft and get him? Or, does he bother you because people spend so much time talking about what you consider to be a very average NFL quarterback? The common argument from the anti-Tebow crowd is plain and simple, "What has he done in the NFL"?  These same people are the ones who argue Tim can't play QB in the NFL because of his long throwing motion, even though half of the people who say that don't truly understand what that means.

Why NFL fans outside of Denver and Florida haven't rallied around Tim, I have no idea. He should be one of your favorite players today, and not because of his playing ability, but for who he is and how he treats other people. As fans, we say we respect those who play with passion and are more about the team than about themselves. As fans, we are tired of players doing a ridiculous celebratory dance after every two yard gain or pass deflection. Where has Tebow failed you as a player?

The NFL future of Tebow is uncertain, but we will have a better gauge after this 2011 season. There are plenty of experts who have relegated him to nothing more than a career backup quarterback. The fact of the matter is that he is a 24-year-old that has only thrown 119 career passes, and has not started for even half of a season yet. To solidify him as a star or backup at this point is nothing more than a guess, no matter what the "experts" back up their opinions with.

Tim Tebow is not portraying a false image, and he should be the type of player fans want to see succeed. He is a player you want your kids to watch, and he signifies the type of star the NFL needs more of. Most of the time our favorite player lies within the roster of our favorite team, and there are many players in the NFL who have the same work ethic and positive character values as Tim Tebow. This is not about stating Tim is better than everyone, but it is about illustrating a point as to the kind of people we are supporting in the NFL.

If Tim Tebow isn't one of your favorite players now, he should be.