Tim Tebow opens up about his life's purpose - 'It's not sports'
Tim Tebow has always been known for two things — sports and his faith. It makes a lot of sense considering how intertwined the two have been for him.
Tebow first came into prominence when he was spearheading the Florida Gators football team to a national championship more than a decade ago. Tebow had gone from utility player to one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.
It was on the national stage of college football that sports fans first started learning about Tebow’s deep-rooted faith and Christianity.
Fans immediately caught notice of “John” and “3:16” written on his eye black, a clear reference to one of Tebow’s favorite Bible verses.
Dan Mullen would like to get Tim Tebow back at Florida in ‘whatever capacity’ if opportunity ever arises https://t.co/cQWYs9GQUu #GatorNation pic.twitter.com/bL44RtTZlP
— SEC Country Florida (@SECCountryUF) February 9, 2018
From there, Tebow took his show to the NFL, where he helped lead the Denver Broncos to a stirring upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Wild Card Game.
It was also on the NFL stage where “Tebowing” became a thing, wherein Tebow would kneel on the field to say a prayer.
The NFL Playoffs….
Where "Tebowing" happens pic.twitter.com/JyVCRrUllC
— John (@WritehookDFS) January 3, 2015
Having since moved on to baseball, where he is a prospect in the Mets organization currently playing for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Tebow’s faith is obviously still important to him.
As is readily apparent, fans have been mostly justified in associating Tebow with both sports and his faith.
But to Tebow himself, one of those associations is wholly unnecessary. When asked by People magazine at his 2018 celebrity golf charity tournament about his true life’s purpose, Tebow gave a blunt response.
“It’s not sports,” Tebow said. “My main purpose is not about football or baseball, or anything like that. It’s about helping others. It’s about finding the people who need hope. That’s my greater purpose.”
“If I’m not remembered for baseball, that’s OK,” Tebow elaborated. “If I’m not remembered for football, that’s OK, too. Actually, it’s fine if I’m not remembered at all. What I want is to serve God by helping people who are less fortunate. That’s what’s important, not playing a sport.”
It’s quotes like those that have endeared Tebow to the masses, despite a sports career that may have peaked in college. It’s also a refreshing take from an athlete in the post-Michael Jordan era of winning trumping all else. That’s not to say that Tebow lacks competitiveness or desire to improve, as he clearly still takes pride in what he does.
“Of course I want to achieve as much as I can in baseball, the same way I wanted it in football,” Tebow said. “I want to do my very best. I want to improve my game — I think I’ve improved — and I want to really be proud of what I do.”
But at the end of the day, Tebow feels like he has a greater purpose, and he deserves credit for that. Not every professional athlete is so secure in themselves that they can readily admit they have more important things to do than play sports.
“That’s my calling,” Tebow said of helping others. “I believe I’m doing what God wants me to do — to serve those who may not have a lot of people who are serving them.”
“Of course I want to succeed in baseball,” Tebow added. “But it doesn’t mean anything if I’m not ultimately doing something greater than myself. Our lives should be about bringing faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.”
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