It’s Great to be a Gator
Written by Daniel Turner, Monday September 28 2009
Tim Tebow made that statement after being carted off the field Saturday night when a concussion forced him to exit Florida’s 41-7 pounding of Kentucky. First he asked Urban Meyer if he held onto the ball after being sacked by Taylor Wyndham. Falling backward Tebow struck his head on the leg of team mate Marcus Gilbert causing whiplash and the resulting concussion. Once his coach verified he had held onto the ball, Tebow exclaimed his joy at being a member of the University of Florida football team and then hurled before being taken to the hospital for overnight observation.
Normally, Tebow, a QB in a FB’s body leaps to his feet following a hard hit as a way of proving that it didn’t hurt and he is ready to resume play. This time Tebow couldn’t shake it off. He wobbled to his feet and as the planet rushed up to meet him he lost his pregame meal. The Man of Steel was laid low by the little piece of kryptonite that he was exposed to in the tackle and his subsequent fall onto Gilbert’s leg.
Lane Kiffin says many things; most of them instantly regrettable. However, in his postgame press conference after Florida got their third win of the season over his Tennessee Volunteers he labeled Tebow Superman. From a mouth that has uttered phrases best forgotten he hit the nail on the head with that nickname. Tebow is Superman and like the invincible Kryptonian he appears to be unstoppable.
Containing the comic book Superman has become so difficult that most writers flee the series for more creative pastures. In fact, the only time he has been neutralized is in two stories which chronicle his death, one in an imaginary tale and the other is when Allan Moore set the storyline into the future. If you can’t beat him, then killing him is the only way to level the playing field.
No one has such dramatic ends in sight for Tebow, but LSU could enjoy the advantage that Kiffin mentioned the next time Tennessee faces Florida; the Gators will not have Superman behind center. Tebow has an off week to rest his aching head and hope that everything around him stops spinning. But, if the Everglades still appear to be moving more to Tebow than they actually are he will undoubtedly miss the LSU game. After all, this Superman isn’t an alien from Krypton. He is a flesh and blood human being that holds importance to the Gators far beyond one game.
In a game where the expectations placed on the QB are often unreasonable Tebow has defied expectations and risen above what has been expected. At 245 pounds Tebow is a powerhouse that can beat you in the air and on the ground. The Heisman Trophy winner is one touchdown away from tying the SEC record for carrying the ball into the end zone. The record is held by Herschel Walker and he had a pretty impressive career in two pro leagues. And, Bo knows the SEC has had some pretty good running backs.
Going beyond expectations has become common place for Tim Tebow. Born in Manila to Christian missionary parents Tebow is both a warrior and a Christian Soldier. He has continued in his parent’s path by performing missionary work abroad. In between preparing for the challenging SEC season Tebow has performed missionary work in Thailand, Croatia and the Philippines. Instead of sharpening his image for his eventual pro career Tebow continues to do the work he came to learn through his mother and father. Still, it appears that more people are interested in his relationship with girlfriend Lucy Pinder than with God.
Tebow is squeaky clean and that disturbs many. Opponents try to knock him off his game with trash talk and fans like to speculate that he won’t be able to cut it in the pros. For the most part he ignores the comments. Yes, he did get flagged for dropping a Gator chop on the reeling Sooners defense in last year’s championship game, but that was after the game was in no doubt status. He is too level headed to do something stupid that would hurt his team.
That’s why his supporters are as ardent as his detractors. He is a consummate leader that inspires team mates and garners the appreciation of the Gator faithful. His pledge following a loss to Ole Miss is You Tube fodder, but it shows his determination to succeed and to do well for the team.
Having been home schooled Tebow has proved that social skills are not at risk by not being in a classroom situation and having to interact with other children. However, his transition was also eased by playing high school football. The state of Florida has a law that home schooled students can participate in team sports for schools in their residential area. Tebow began his career at Trinity Christian Academy playing linebacker and tight end. Wanting to be a quarterback and needing a more pass oriented offensive scheme he and his mother took an apartment away from the rest of the family so he could play for Nease High School in St. John’s County. While the move created some controversy Tebow performed an end around the law by moving from Duval to St. John’s County allowing him to enroll in a different school.
Regardless of where and how he played high school football there is no denying that Tebow has become a leader. If the speak before thinking Kiffin can realize his importance there is no question it is immeasurable to the Gators. Like Kiffin, they too realize they will soon have to enter life without Tebow. Obviously they are hoping it occurs after graduation and not in his senior season because of an unfortunate bump on the head.
Superman has been the symbol of all that is right for the Gators and they would prefer to have to adapt to his absence latter. As for Tebow, it’s great to be a Gator and it is a sure bet he will do his utmost to play on.
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