The most compelling story in the NFL this year is Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. Everyone has an opinion about this player, athlete, and man who defies explanation.
In the November 28th edition of Sports Illustrated, writer Alan Shipnuck does a tremendous job capturing a variety of thoughts from the time Tebow entered the game on October 9th against the San Diego Chargers. As we read these comments, they give us a quality profile of what a special leader looks like. I did not include the comments from nay sayers.
Special leaders do the following:
- Provide A Spark – “Tim Tebow sparked the team today.” – head coach John Fox
- Have A History Of Performance – “I just think winners win. And the guys who won all the way through high school and college, the best player at every level, they have a way of making things happen and winning games.” – Tony Dungy
- Provide Hope – “All the fans know it, his teammates know it: He brings a little bit more to the huddle.” – teammate Orlando Franklin
- Are Competitive – “There’s competitive greatness. Not everybody that plays in this league has it.” – Fox
- Have The Support Of Their Teammates – “Tebow’s amazing, man. Tebow is an amazing player. He’s a playmaker. He won. We support him.” – teammate Jason Hunter
- Are Beloved – “Tim Tebow? I’m buying. He’s the greatest thing out there. I think he’s shut up some critics. You can’t get a bad comment from me about Tim Tebow. I love him.” – teammate Von Miller
- Create Fun Environments – “I’m probably the biggest Tim Tebow fan in the world. Why? That’s pretty simple. We started the year 1-4, now we’re 4-5 and have a chance to make the playoffs. This game is only fun when you’re winning.” – Fox
- Do The Impossible – “TIM TEBOW JUST CURES CANCER.” – @DrewMagary
- Produce – “I BELIEVE! ALL HE DOES IS WIN!!” – @JimRome
- Are Shocking – “Tim Tebow did it. He shocked me.” – Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis
- Never Quit – “He never lays his sword down. He’ll fight you to death. That’s just his nature.” – Fox
- Create A Family Atmosphere – “There’s something special going on here. We really believe in each other. We’re playing together as a team and a family…I don’t know what to say about that kid. For him to lead us 95 yards like that, it tells you everything you need to know about him as a football player, as a competitor, as a man.” – Eddie Royal
- Are Magical – “All the critics are right when they say ‘Tebow can’t pass accurately, can’t read defenses all that well, can’t operate a conventional offense. And in the end, all the critics are wrong. Tebow is magical. Tebow is a winner. Tebow is the one and only.”
What a compliment it would be to any leader to be described as magical, a winner, and the one and only. How do you think your teammates describe you?
I said in the beginning that everyone has an opinion on Tebow. Here’s mine – I love him. Keep winning Tim. You are the embodiment of everything that is right about sports, Christianity, and life.Â
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