Tim Tebow: Football Is 3rd Most Important Thing in His Life

Few athletes in any sport have become as polarizing as Denver QB Tim Tebow.

The second-year Bronco, though, doesn’t take his critics as seriously as they take him.

As reported by Sports Radio Interviews, Tebow told ESPN Radio that he weathers criticism by “knowing that Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life and then family number two and then football comes after that.” Tebow added that “I don’t live and die with playing the game because I know it’s not the most important thing.”

Considering how much adoration and vitriol has been directed at Tebow—for both his on-field performance and his very public airing of his religious views—it’s just as well that he’s able to keep football in perspective. Even for less-sensationalized QBs, a short memory for the previous week’s praise or blame is always an asset in becoming a successful NFL field general.

Unfortunately for Tebow, that asset is one of the few he has going for him on the football field. He’s a competent runner for a QB (though he’s hardly Cam Newton) and a dismal passer whose 46.4 completion percentage speaks to problems that won’t be solved by experience alone.

It’s just as well, then, that he doesn’t “live and die with playing the game,” because he’s unlikely to continue playing it much longer. His popularity with those fans who like him is so extreme that it will keep him employed beyond any reasonable justification, but eventually the Broncos will have to give up on him in favor of a QB who can help them win games.