Tebow Sets A New Standard
posted by Scott Hood, Thursday, July 24, 2008
By capturing the Heisman Trophy, he’s also setting a new standard for future quarterbacks to shoot for. Few, if any, will come close to equaling it. Gators head coach Urban Meyer is on record as saying Tebow will go down as the best college football player of this era.
But he’s also setting a new standard in other areas as well – how he conducts himself in public and his belief on the role football should play in a young athlete’s life.
This is my fourth SEC Media Days and I can confidently say that Tebow’s 20 minutes at the podium on Wednesday in front of hundreds of journalists was one of the most dazzling performances I can remember in Hoover in late July.
He answered questions confidently. He smiled. He laughed. He spoke clearly and with precision, never stumbling or hesitating. He spoke about the joy of winning the Heisman Trophy, about dealing with fame, about getting better for the long season ahead.
Not surprisingly, he also spoke about his love for football. For a player of his stature, that wasn’t a shock.
But he talked passionately about something else too – how he loved helping people even more than playing football through his missionary work that has taken him to remote places around the globe.
As a credentialed member of the media, I’m used to hearing athletes say that football is the most important thing in their life.
With Tebow, it’s not even close. He’d much prefer to bring joy to a child than bang heads on a football field. Why? Because he knows that, in the end, his relationships with his fellow human beings will determine whether he lived a fulfilling life.
If you’re a parent trying to teach your child about the proper balance between athletics and real life responsibilities, I strongly suggest you go to the SEC’s web site (secsports.com) and download the transcript of Tebow’s press conference and read his words for yourself.
I promise it will have a profound impact on you and your child.
Humility is one of the traits I look for first in an athlete or coach. Tebow is, without question, humble and appreciative. He knows how fortunate he is.
As Tebow expressly stated, he’s getting an opportunity to play football at an elite level and receiving a free college education at the same time. How great is that?
Humility is also the reason I like Mississippi State head coach Sylvester Croom so much. I know USC doesn’t play the Bulldogs this year, so some fans might not care, but I do.
Croom handles himself with class at all times. He’s one coach in the SEC I root for to succeed because I know how much he’s been through to make MSU a winner. He’s also Exhibit A for the proposition that it’s best for fans to remain patient, especially when a new coach comes in and faces a gargantuan rebuilding task.
All this mushy stuff about Tebow and Croom is great. But I know the vast majority of you in cyberspace are Gamecock fans wondering how USC will beat Florida this year.
It won’t be easy, for sure. I’m already on record as saying the November game in Gainesville will be the most difficult of the year for USC.
It will take a near flawless performance to beat the Gators at The Swamp. USC almost pulled out a program-defining win two years ago, but a missed extra point and a couple of stupid penalties in key situations cost them the game, or at least the opportunity to win it in overtime.
Remember, besides Tebow, USC will have to find a way to contain Percy Harvin and Chris Rainey, two of the fastest running backs you will ever see.
Defensively, USC must play a whole lot tougher and far more aggressively than they did last year when Tebow had his way, scoring five touchdowns and, in the minds of many people, clinching the Heisman Trophy.
Florida scored 51 points against USC last season and Harvin didn’t even play in the game.
Based on what I witnessed Wednesday, until USC and Florida meet on Nov. 15, I’ll be rooting for Tim Tebow to do well.
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With his rare combination of size, strength, throwing and running, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is redefining the quarterback position and the stereotypes that come along with it.
By capturing the Heisman Trophy, he’s also setting a new standard for future quarterbacks to shoot for. Few, if any, will come close to equaling it. Gators head coach Urban Meyer is on record as saying Tebow will go down as the best college football player of this era.
But he’s also setting a new standard in other areas as well – how he conducts himself in public and his belief on the role football should play in a young athlete’s life.
This is my fourth SEC Media Days and I can confidently say that Tebow’s 20 minutes at the podium on Wednesday in front of hundreds of journalists was one of the most dazzling performances I can remember in Hoover in late July.
He answered questions confidently. He smiled. He laughed. He spoke clearly and with precision, never stumbling or hesitating. He spoke about the joy of winning the Heisman Trophy, about dealing with fame, about getting better for the long season ahead.
Not surprisingly, he also spoke about his love for football. For a player of his stature, that wasn’t a shock.
But he talked passionately about something else too – how he loved helping people even more than playing football through his missionary work that has taken him to remote places around the globe.
As a credentialed member of the media, I’m used to hearing athletes say that football is the most important thing in their life.
With Tebow, it’s not even close. He’d much prefer to bring joy to a child than bang heads on a football field. Why? Because he knows that, in the end, his relationships with his fellow human beings will determine whether he lived a fulfilling life.
If you’re a parent trying to teach your child about the proper balance between athletics and real life responsibilities, I strongly suggest you go to the SEC’s web site (secsports.com) and download the transcript of Tebow’s press conference and read his words for yourself.
I promise it will have a profound impact on you and your child.
Humility is one of the traits I look for first in an athlete or coach. Tebow is, without question, humble and appreciative. He knows how fortunate he is.
As Tebow expressly stated, he’s getting an opportunity to play football at an elite level and receiving a free college education at the same time. How great is that?
Humility is also the reason I like Mississippi State head coach Sylvester Croom so much. I know USC doesn’t play the Bulldogs this year, so some fans might not care, but I do.
Croom handles himself with class at all times. He’s one coach in the SEC I root for to succeed because I know how much he’s been through to make MSU a winner. He’s also Exhibit A for the proposition that it’s best for fans to remain patient, especially when a new coach comes in and faces a gargantuan rebuilding task.
All this mushy stuff about Tebow and Croom is great. But I know the vast majority of you in cyberspace are Gamecock fans wondering how USC will beat Florida this year.
It won’t be easy, for sure. I’m already on record as saying the November game in Gainesville will be the most difficult of the year for USC.
It will take a near flawless performance to beat the Gators at The Swamp. USC almost pulled out a program-defining win two years ago, but a missed extra point and a couple of stupid penalties in key situations cost them the game, or at least the opportunity to win it in overtime.
Remember, besides Tebow, USC will have to find a way to contain Percy Harvin and Chris Rainey, two of the fastest running backs you will ever see.
Defensively, USC must play a whole lot tougher and far more aggressively than they did last year when Tebow had his way, scoring five touchdowns and, in the minds of many people, clinching the Heisman Trophy.
Florida scored 51 points against USC last season and Harvin didn’t even play in the game.
Based on what I witnessed Wednesday, until USC and Florida meet on Nov. 15, I’ll be rooting for Tim Tebow to do well.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.