GatewayRedbirds.com

I don't even know if I want to get into to this, but here goes. If I've missed something in the article I do apologize, but the problem I have with it is that the comparisons are somewhat unfair. It seems the issues that society had with Muhammed Ali and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf stemmed primarily from a belief that they were un-American or possibly even anti-American. They raised the ire of average Americans because of politcal controversies. Tebow has been political (his pro-life commercial during the Super Bowl) but hasn't done it in a way that could be construed as unpatriotic.
The other Muslim athletes listed, Ahmad Rashad, Rashaan Salaam, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Hakeem Olajuwan may have never reached the rock star status that Tebow has, but I don't recall them being treated unfairly b/c of their faith. I haven't heard much from Salaam since college, but the other three were always pretty well liked I thought. And Rashad and Abdul-Jabbar were both relatively successful in the field of entertainment after their playing careers. If I'm wrong on any of that then someone please let me know.

As to the question would Tebow be treated the same if he were Muslim, no I don't think he would. Why? Probably because people identify with him more than they would a Muslim, and because of 9/11. Not saying it's right or wrong, but that'd be my answer to the question.

This might be offensive to David Bowie fans - both Muslim and Christian alike.

Tebowie:

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Tim Tebow wouldn't be a starting NFL quarterback if he were an outspoken Muslim.

The better question is: would he be a starting NFL quarterback if he didn't make his religious beliefs public at all(whatever they may be)? I say no.

cardsfansince82 wrote:Tim Tebow wouldn't be a starting NFL quarterback if he were an outspoken Muslim.

The better question is: would he be a starting NFL quarterback if he didn't make his religious beliefs public at all(whatever they may be)? I say no.

It's a tough question. The guy won a Heisman, was a finalist 3 times, won two NCAA championships, and was drafted in the first round. There was every indication that Tebow was going to start under McDaniels. The way I see it, none of those things were affected by his beliefs (outside of how that might have affected his on-the-field performance, of course).

RxOfCowbell wrote:

cardsfansince82 wrote:Tim Tebow wouldn't be a starting NFL quarterback if he were an outspoken Muslim.

The better question is: would he be a starting NFL quarterback if he didn't make his religious beliefs public at all(whatever they may be)? I say no.

It's a tough question. The guy won a Heisman, was a finalist 3 times, won two NCAA championships, and was drafted in the first round. There was every indication that Tebow was going to start under McDaniels. The way I see it, none of those things were affected by his beliefs (outside of how that might have affected his on-the-field performance, of course).

Let's assume his college career plays out exactly the same, but no one knows or cares about his religious beliefs. Then he's popular among his college's fanbase and that's it. The Broncos don't take a guy that all the scouts say won't make it as a pro QB in the first round if he isn't hugely marketable. Drafting him in the first round was dumb even with his religious fanbase. They were bidding against themselves. Even if we assume they spend a first round pick on him, the media doesn't cover his every move from day one eventually leading to a faux national public outcry to give him a chance to play. The Broncos coaches had him third among three crappy QBs at the start of the season. If he was someone that no one outside of the Broncos fanbase cared about he probably would have stayed that way. It's not like he started wowing everybody all of the sudden on the practice field.

cardsfansince82 wrote:

RxOfCowbell wrote:

cardsfansince82 wrote:Tim Tebow wouldn't be a starting NFL quarterback if he were an outspoken Muslim.

The better question is: would he be a starting NFL quarterback if he didn't make his religious beliefs public at all(whatever they may be)? I say no.

It's a tough question. The guy won a Heisman, was a finalist 3 times, won two NCAA championships, and was drafted in the first round. There was every indication that Tebow was going to start under McDaniels. The way I see it, none of those things were affected by his beliefs (outside of how that might have affected his on-the-field performance, of course).

Let's assume his college career plays out exactly the same, but no one knows or cares about his religious beliefs. Then he's popular among his college's fanbase and that's it.


The Broncos don't take a guy that all the scouts say won't make it as a pro QB in the first round if he isn't hugely marketable. Drafting him in the first round was dumb even with his religious fanbase. They were bidding against themselves. Even if we assume they spend a first round pick on him, the media doesn't cover his every move from day one eventually leading to a faux national public outcry to give him a chance to play. The Broncos coaches had him third among three crappy QBs at the start of the season. If he was someone that no one outside of the Broncos fanbase cared about he probably would have stayed that way. It's not like he started wowing everybody all of the sudden on the practice field.

That's a hell of a lot of speculation on your part.

If Tebow was so great, he wouldn't need God's help.

RxOfCowbell wrote:

cardsfansince82 wrote:

RxOfCowbell wrote:

cardsfansince82 wrote:Tim Tebow wouldn't be a starting NFL quarterback if he were an outspoken Muslim.

The better question is: would he be a starting NFL quarterback if he didn't make his religious beliefs public at all(whatever they may be)? I say no.

It's a tough question. The guy won a Heisman, was a finalist 3 times, won two NCAA championships, and was drafted in the first round. There was every indication that Tebow was going to start under McDaniels. The way I see it, none of those things were affected by his beliefs (outside of how that might have affected his on-the-field performance, of course).

Let's assume his college career plays out exactly the same, but no one knows or cares about his religious beliefs. Then he's popular among his college's fanbase and that's it.


The Broncos don't take a guy that all the scouts say won't make it as a pro QB in the first round if he isn't hugely marketable. Drafting him in the first round was dumb even with his religious fanbase. They were bidding against themselves. Even if we assume they spend a first round pick on him, the media doesn't cover his every move from day one eventually leading to a faux national public outcry to give him a chance to play. The Broncos coaches had him third among three crappy QBs at the start of the season. If he was someone that no one outside of the Broncos fanbase cared about he probably would have stayed that way. It's not like he started wowing everybody all of the sudden on the practice field.

That's a hell of a lot of speculation on your part.

You honestly think his life is exactly the same right now if he isn't an in your face christian with a fervent national following?

fanforever wrote:It would really be something if Tebow leads the Broncos to victory over New England this weekend.

Shame on you for talking about playoff football in regards to a football player. Let's keep arguing about his religious beliefs!

cardsfansince82 wrote:

RxOfCowbell wrote:

cardsfansince82 wrote:Tim Tebow wouldn't be a starting NFL quarterback if he were an outspoken Muslim.

The better question is: would he be a starting NFL quarterback if he didn't make his religious beliefs public at all(whatever they may be)? I say no.

It's a tough question. The guy won a Heisman, was a finalist 3 times, won two NCAA championships, and was drafted in the first round. There was every indication that Tebow was going to start under McDaniels. The way I see it, none of those things were affected by his beliefs (outside of how that might have affected his on-the-field performance, of course).

Let's assume his college career plays out exactly the same, but no one knows or cares about his religious beliefs. Then he's popular among his college's fanbase and that's it. The Broncos don't take a guy that all the scouts say won't make it as a pro QB in the first round if he isn't hugely marketable. Drafting him in the first round was dumb even with his religious fanbase. They were bidding against themselves. Even if we assume they spend a first round pick on him, the media doesn't cover his every move from day one eventually leading to a faux national public outcry to give him a chance to play. The Broncos coaches had him third among three crappy QBs at the start of the season. If he was someone that no one outside of the Broncos fanbase cared about he probably would have stayed that way. It's not like he started wowing everybody all of the sudden on the practice field.

McDaniels didn't draft him because of his religiuos beliefs. McDaniels wanted him because of his incredible work ethic and leadership abilities. And McDaniels had every intention of making him a starting quarterback because of those traits. As far as I'm aware, Josh McDaniels isn't overly passionate about religion, and I don't believe for a minute that that he believed in Tebow because of it.

However, Tebow's work ethic and attitude are directly related to his Christianity. So you could make a case that he's gotten to where he is because of that. Christianity led to a strong work ethic and strong leadership abilities, which led to NFL success. Christianity didn't lead directly to NFL success, however.

(And before anybody says it, I will admit that I used the word "success" fairly loosely here....... but in my mind, winning a starting NFL quarterback job, and leading your team to a playoff upset is "success" by almost any standard.)