Tim Tebow’s ascent to full-fledged, fan-anointed messiah continues unabated.
Some holy roller Tim Tebow fans are honoring their favorite Denver Bronco by reproducing his number 15 jersey with “Jesus” on the back. It’s a perfectly tacky fit.
Tebow has always worn religion on his sleeve: when he was in college, he referenced Bible verses in his eye black, frequently invokes God in his press statements and recorded two anti-abortion ads for the homophobic and hateful right-wing group Focus on the Family.
And he recently said he “loves” the at-times satirical site dedicated to his penchant for bended knee prayer — Tebowing. And Tebow’s religious identity has some of his fans seeing a second coming. He has been deified.
“Tim Tebow is the golden child. The chosen one. He is Jesus in cleats and he’s waiting for his lord and savior to put down his headset and congratulate him,” wrote sports journalist Larry Brown when writing about the jerseys last August.
There’s no word on how Tebow feels about this new apparel, but many people, including self-professed Christians, see blasphemy.
One woman, Traci Yown, told Montana’s KTVQ, “Sports is one thing, and Jesus is another thing. I like to have their names, their last names on the jerseys. I’m a Christian, but I mean I wouldn’t want people going around having Jesus on the back of their jerseys.”
A missionary, meanwhile, told Christian Post, “I think it is ridiculous that people are creating Jesus jerseys with Tebow´s number. I like Tebow but that is just wrong… I do not agree with the way they are using the name of Jesus.”
Another person told the Post, “It’s making Tebow out to be a god instead of an athlete…. For fans to hold him up in such high regard, perhaps comparing him to Jesus, is going too far.”
But others are more gung-ho about the jerseys. “I think it’s a good idea because it gets Jesus’ name out there,” said one supporter. Because, you know, Jesus isn’t famous enough.
Anyway, from what little I know about Jesus, he seemed kind of like a hippie, so I feel his sport of choice would be hackey sack or, since he was the son of an almighty, all rich God, something more preppy, like soccer, but certainly not football.
November 16, 2011 at 6:53 pm, Moises said:
pretty stupid, but whatever the people buying the jersey’s are fans and the people complaining about it probably think it’s a sin anyway, I’m just more bothered that these “offended” people aren’t doing better things with their time. One would think they’d try and model themselves after Jesus and some of his most valuable qualities were forgiveness and tolerance…he wouldn’t waste his time, he’d simply pray for them and love them, not hassle them…
November 17, 2011 at 9:14 am, kelly said:
There is no such person as this jesus you all are speaking of…so who really cares is these people want to put some fictional character”s name on the back of their jerseys… rationalize…like there is some great golden heaven after you die, and some great and all powerful god that created all this earth….their isnt. sorry to inform you all of the truth no god no jesus… you are all fools for believing in such stupidity.
November 30, 2011 at 6:38 pm, Curious said:
How do you know?
January 09, 2012 at 7:16 am, Bob said:
There may be no God, but Jesus certainly did live. His existence is well documented.
January 15, 2012 at 8:35 am, PastorJoe666 said:
No it isn’t “well documented. ” There is not one shred of historical evidence that any such individual lived. No contemporary historians ever wrote anything about him. Pretty interesting that a guy who could perform miracles was never written about by any historians of his time. There is no historical record of Mr. Pilate ever holding a trial or executing your jesus. The bible is not a history book.
December 13, 2011 at 7:44 am, Buck said:
I am GLAD he loves the Lord the way he does .Hes not ashamed of JESUS. Now theses OBAMA lovers thats something else .