But Tebow’s public expressions of faith rub some others the wrong way. Some respect his faith but simply do not like the in-your-face display. Others, remembering prominent evangelical Christians who have been disgraced by scandal, wonder whether Tebow’s public religiosity is as sincere and unscripted as it appears to be.
In New England, where the evangelical movement is relatively weak and mainline faiths are rooted in a tradition of modesty, religious leaders say they are not surprised that many feel discomfort about the Denver star, who sings hymns during warm-ups and expresses gratitude to Jesus at the beginning of each postgame interview.
“There’s something a little off-putting in it for some of us in our culture; in the Northeast we are not an emotionally showy people,’’ said the Rev. Nancy Taylor, senior minister of Old South Church in Boston, which is affiliated with the mainline Protestant United Church of Christ.
Tebow, whose Denver Broncos take on the New England Patriots tonight, has led a squad of upstarts into the second round of the playoffs in the country’s most-watched professional team sport - a sport with a history and lore peppered with religious references: Hail Mary pass, the Immaculate Reception, Touchdown Jesus.
The furor - and the controversy - grew to fever pitch after the Broncos eliminated the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, led by Tebow’s 316 passing yards (at a rate of 31.6 yards per catch), numbers in which some saw an uncanny connection to the Bible verse that encapsulates Christian belief, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’’ The conclusion among Tebow’s legion of followers: God is a Denver Broncos fan.
The suggestion that God plays favorites has also prompted cautious commentary.
