Tim Tebow won a playoff game. That's a statement that most of us never thought we'd hear, and after three straight losses even the biggest Tebow supporters must have wondered if they'd ever see their favorite quaterback and his odd throwing motion start another NFL game.
But he won a playoff game! Against the mighty Steelers! Now, before we go any further, let's be clear that Tebow DID win this game. Unlike in other games this season, Tebow wasn't bailed out of an unimpressive statistical performance by a stingy defense or an amazing field goal. He burned the Steelers defense right up to the final(and first) play of overtime. Coming in to the game the Steelers had allowed just 6 completion of 30 yards or more on the year, opposing quarterbacks had a completion percentage of 32.4% and 7.8 yards per attempt. Tebow ended the day with 54.5% of passes completed, 25.1 yards per attempt, and 5 completions of more than 30 yards(one shy of all the other Steelers games combined!). Maybe he loses occasionally, but he sure seems to pull out the W whenever his team really needs it.
As I watched the last few minutes of the game on Sunday I slowly got more and more excited that maybe we'd see another Tebow miracle. Overtime started, then suddenly it was over. One Play. When the ball was caught, I clapped, thinking this'll be a good 30 yard play, now they just need to finish the drive. But Thomas finished it himself, with a well timed stiff arm I was on my feet, and as he crossed into the end zone I was jumping up and down yelling "How'd he do that!?!?!". In mid-jump I thought to myself, "wait, why am I cheering for the Broncos and Tim Tebow, I don't even like either of them."
You see, growing up in Utah where we have no NFL team, people tend to choose either the closest team or the most successful one. In my case the Broncos happened to be both, but I adamantly refused to cheer along with everyone else as they won two Super Bowls in a row and converted every last one of my friends. Maybe it was because my best friend told me I had to like them and I refused to listen, maybe it was because I couldn't stand the smirk on John Elway's face, maybe it was because I was jealous that Denver got the Mile High moniker when my little town of 7,000 sat at a mile above sea level too. Whatever the reason, I strongly disliked the Denver Broncos and secretly rejoiced every time they lost. I'd never had warm feelings toward Tim Tebow either. I disliked Florida simply because of Urban Meyer( I KNOW I couldn't stand the smirk on his face), and that dislike spread to all the players there too. I took solace in the fact that Tebow would have a short NFL career and I wouldn't have to hear about him, except maybe in the occasional "Where are they now" article detailing the former Heisman winners that had disappeared from the sport and were unceremoniously forced in to used car or insurance sales.
So, what is it that turned me, and sports fans throughout the nation, into Broncos supporters and all out Tebow fanatics? Just dust off your worn out copy of "The Little Engine That Could" and replace that determined little train with Tim Tebow. Of course we all love that little train that moved a load the bigger trains refused to help with. This is the same character that Tebow has become. He's the unimpressive thrower in a world of awe-inspiring field generals (Rodgers, Brady, Brees, Manning, Manning, Roethlisberger, and even soon-to-be pro Andrew Luck). In some sense, we've all been in the former Gator's shoes. We've all been floundering and stumbling, trying to look like we belong, somewhere along the way. At this point we hope that others will forget our shortcomings and recognize the good things we do. Tebow certainly still has his weak points, which analysts and opposing fans will continually point out, but most of us forget when the fourth quarter(or overtime) rolls around and number fifteen can do no wrong, we just want to sit back and enjoy the show.
So whether you're a fan of the team, the man, or just a fan of underdogs who think they can; enjoy the Tebow train as long as it's chugging along. Because, in a way, we're all little engines on the tracks of life, waiting for our own personal Tebow Time.
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