Lots of athletes and coaches utilize their faith and their spirituality on and off
the field. And some derive great courage, calmness, hope and optimism from their
religious beliefs.
Many players have engaged in prayer while they compete and before and
after games.
Tim Tebow, the remarkable Denver Bronco quarterback and the former Heisman
Trophy winner, has brought his powerful religious convictions into our media and our
culture in a big way.
And Tim Tebow could have a powerful impact on religion in America.
He is handsome, soft spoken, humble and mentally tough. He has shown that he
can win ugly, and like his boss John Elway, he knows how to stage dramatic comebacks
in the fourth quarter of a game.
As fantasy football lovers know, he has some impressive running statistics and some
fantastic fourth quarter numbers.
Considering how sports crazy our culture is, it is likely that many athletes will
imitate Tebow. Lots of competitors will want to “Be Like Tim.”
Some may start to attend their churches, synagogues or mosques more often.
Parents of young athletes may start to encourage their kids to pray more frequently.
Tebow could become the Billy Graham of the gridiron.
He has been on an incredible winning streak for the last eight weeks.
Now, if he starts to lose, you have to wonder if some people will start to lose their
faith.
Nevertheless, his has been a divine season.
Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist in River Edge, NJ and the Founder of
www.StayInTheZone.com