Sports Fans may not realize it; but Tim Tebow’s Fans are fighting for you. Tebow went to the New York Jets as the Most Popular Athlete in the World. This is something Professional Sports Leagues drool over. For the National Football League, it had never happened before. And it will almost certainly never happen again. Unless that Player’s name is Tim Tebow.

Don’t bother trying to put a finger on the Tebow Phenomenon. I’ve been following it from here in Florida since it began and I’m no closer to understanding it. Except for one thing. He is quite possibly the most genuine person you’ll ever meet. In a World that thrives on lies, that’s something whose worth is nearly impossible to measure.

Tebow Tuesday has been a small tribute that’s been used in Social Media Circles for a couple years. But for this Tuesday there has been a huge push for the entire Galaxy of Tebow to Stand Up. No Nation or Galaxy has been nearly large enough to contain the Tebow Following. Neither is the National Football League, which has been apoplectic over the idea that a single Player is more Popular than it. If we’ve misjudged the size of anything, it has been the size of the egos of NFL Head Coaches and General Managers. Their renowned egomania has met its match with TebowMania. And they’re waving the white flag.

But one Football League has wholeheartedly embraced Tim Tebow, “cult-like” Following and all. The A-11 Football League. The more I’ve looked at the League, the more it is clearly what the NFL should be but doesn’t have the courage to be. There’s one tiny problem. It only exists in the mind right now. It’s a vision for a League that is becoming a reality of one as quickly as it can. And its vision includes Tim Tebow leading its newly selected Florida Team…as a Quarterback, no less. Wow! Whoda thunk it!? That a League would think a young man who has led a Team to a State Championship, on a broken leg even, led a Team to a BCS Championship and was a key component of another, Won a Heisman and led a Team with cumulatively the worst record in the NFL over nearly 2 years when he took the reigns to a Division Title and one of the biggest Home Playoff Wins for a Franchise that’s seen some great ones all as a Quarterback…could actually BE a Quarterback.

To be clear, the reason NFL Teams want Tim Tebow to change positions is because it would pull him back from the podium. It’s a desperate attempt to curb his Popularity to something the NFL Franchises think they can manage and maybe even control. Because control…NOT Winning…is everything in the NFL.

The A-11 obviously isn’t afraid of Tebow being more Popular than it. But nobody should think it’s a publicity thing. What it is is a recognition that he is the type of Player and Person they want to be seen as. And they’re not going to allow themselves to be driven by Fear, which has been the watchword of motivation within the NFL for years. Brian Billick calls the NFL paranoid. And he’s absolutely right. NFL GMs and Head Coaches are paranoid about EVERYTHING. TebowMania has been mainlining performance enhancers to that paranoia.

The A-11 is leaping on-board with this coming #TebowTuesday. I don’t know yet what they plan. But they appear to be looking to kick their push to sign Tim Tebow into the next gear. Football Fans should get on-board with this. Because it’s time for there to be some excitement restored to Professional Football. And this should be exciting. Not just on the Field.

The A-11 has been clear they plan on some form of Fan Equity Participation. I’ve tossed out a number of Football Fans directly Owning 30% or more of the League and the A-11 hasn’t pushed back on that. I didn’t just pull this number out of the air. For several years, I’ve advocated that the NFL and Major League Baseball restructure themselves and launch IPOs of roughly a third. The Owners would get their investments back and still maintain controlling interests. But what they could not do is hold their monopolies over the Fans heads. Threaten to move Teams if they don’t get what they want. Among other things. Like new Stadiums. But control means everything to these guys. Absolute control.

The A-11 does not share this fear of the Fans. This is turning around over 100 years of how Professional Sports in this country operates…over-night. Because it instantly eliminates the contentious relationship between Owners and Customers. The Customers ARE the Owners. In fact, Fans can create Affinity Groups and pool their resources together to be Majority Owners of Franchises. Or at least that appears to be a possibility. And, if it is, the nature of Professional Sports Ownership in the US will change in a way that will never turn back. Fans will forever be Shot-Callers in the Leagues they love. The dominoes will fall because Fans will insist on it. Once they get a taste of no longer being 2nd Class Citizens, at best, in Pro Sports, they simply won’t ever tolerate any League that treats them that way.

This can all begin on Tuesday. #TebowTuesday.

Go Big or Stay Home.
Y’All have heard me say this before. But this Century-Plus long wrestling match between Fans and Leagues/Owners has certainly not been limited to the NFL. The two most blatant statements of Fan enmity were actually made by Baseball. First by Albert Spalding around 90 years ago saying Professional Baseball had no chance of survival because of the demands of the Fans. And then by Bud Selig testifying this very thing to Congress. Leagues that don’t exist without Athletes or Fans often trust neither and view them as adversaries. And we as Fans let them. Up to a point. Usually Leagues & the owners can’t sense those lines they cannot cross and try to at least appear not to. But there have been times when they have stepped over those lines. The Leagues have survived because they always knew enough to jump in and try to repair their damaged relationship with the Fans.

But the NFL has become a League of nothing more than lip-service. Roger Goodell says he wants Tim Tebow in the NFL; that it’s good for the League. That’s a Big fat DUH! and a Big WooptieDo. So Roger wants Tim. Roger wants Tim’s Fans. But it’s nothing but weak PR. So busy fighting off Lawsuits from that other essential group they need, Players…or, more appropriately Ex-Players…the Owners have failed to step in and slap their Functionaries around. This is how it’s often played out in Sports. Fans begin to get tired of feeling de-valued and the Owners try to step in to make them feel wanted. That is when it’s not the Owners themselves creating the problems. The only reason Shahid Khan isn’t the Most hated Sports Owner in Florida is because Jeffrey Loria is here as well. But both are under the heat lamps not for what they’ve done so much as how they’ve done it.

Loria has a decent argument that the Marlins were lousy when they were loaded with what may well be seriously over-paid and over-hyped Players. But the way he went about the Housecleaning and his subsequent haughty attitude simply enrages Fans. The Jacksonville Jaguars don’t need to sign Tim Tebow. It’s the smart thing to do. But if NFL Franchises were crushed by the Fans for being dumb, there’d only be three or four of them left. It is specifically because of the capricious manner in which the Jaguars sought to humiliate Tim Tebow that has Floridians and all Tebow Fans incensed and in an unforgiving mood. Shad Khan has handled the Tim Tebow situation with the grace & tact of Woody Johnson telling outraged Jets PSL Owners to call his Lawyers.

It is this attitude that has been allowed by the Fans to reach a boiling over point.

Tebow Fans can begin to set things right. For ALL Pro Sports Fans. Fans can’t just matter. They must be paramount. When Leagues forget that they have to be reminded by the Fans that they’re nothing without them. Fans have always put up with alot. But sooner or later they have to say it’s become too much.

We’re there now with the NFL. The NFL Owners need to be reminded that surviving the Lawsuits means nothing if they’ve ignored the Fans so much getting there, that they’ve moved on.

For all Professional Sports Fans… #TebowTuesday.
..SportsBabe Brandi

Buzzy Says : great write But Dont over sell T2 and the A-11 as the NFL has a Head start and as most people the A-11 may forget how the got a hold on the game of football and in the end act just as the NFL has.

By Matthew Jussim
The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season after going 2-14 and after hiring a new coach and a general manager in Gus Bradley and David Caldwell, the franchise is ready to move into a new era under owner Shad Khan that has more success.

Link To

Lynn says:
May 18, 2013 at 7:00 am  (Edit)
I have never met Angie Gregory, but I thought she said this very well, so I share it with you.

Angie Gregory Online
Friday, May 17, 2013
TIM TEBOW: WHY WE REALLY LIKE HIM SO MUCH

Certain people in the NFL are blaming Tim Tebow’s fans for hurting his chances at ever being a starting QB for a NFL team. I had no idea who Tim Tebow was when he entered the intensive-care hospital room of my 4-year-old terminally ill nephew in 2009. He was a college hero but I wasn’t a sports fan so I didn’t care that the nursing staff treated him like he was a rock star. IT WAS HIS HUMILITY THAT IMPRESSED ME, ALMOST INSTANTLY. I LIKED HIS CHARACTER, HIS CHARM. HE HAS A LIGHT ABOUT HIM, A GENUINE LOVE FOR OTHERS THAT IS EASY TO ADMIRE. His uplifting visit brought joy to my nephew on a very rough day, one of the last days of his young life. That is what being a sports hero is about. At the end of the day, it’s not about mechanics or magazine covers or sports politics. It’s about inspiring someone so much that they can get behind you enough to put on a football jersey with your number on it. And Tim Tebow is better at that than anyone.

SOME PEOPLE ARE ENVIOUS OF THE TYPE OF DEVOTION TEBOW FANS HAVE FOR HIM. It makes them uncomfortable and rather than being honest with themselves about their envy, they shift the blame to us, the fans. They know that many of us became Tim Tebow fans for what he does off the field, rather than on it. Sure, we cheer him on from the stands and in front of our televisions. We are happy when he gets those wins. And no, we don’t care about his form, we’re more focused on his drive. But most importantly, WE LOVE THAT HE LIVES THE LIFE HE BELIEVES. Regardless if we personally agree with his beliefs or even share his faith at all, IT’S MORE ABOUT ROOTING FOR SOMEONE GENUINE, AUTHENTIC, A LEADER, A GUIDING LIGHT. Someone with class that is dedicated to his sport and his team, as well as to the values for which he stands. Someone who makes time for children fighting serious illnesses, orphans, and underprivileged kids from around the world. AND NONE OF IT IS AN ACT, OR SOMETHING HE IS FORCED TO DO; HE IS A GENUINE HUMAN BEING AND THAT IS REFRESHING AND INSPIRING. HE REMINDS US WHAT TRUE LEADERSHIP AND SPORTSMANSHIP IS ALL ABOUT.

So, yes, he brings people to the stands that might never watch a football game otherwise. We buy his jerseys, hashtag him on our social media, and even “Tebow” for photos. WE KNOW HE’S NOT PERFECT, HE IS ONLY HUMAN BUT HE’S OUR HERO. HE’S SOMEONE THAT WE CAN RALLY BEHIND BECAUSE OF HIS STRONG CHARACTER. We know he is criticized for his throwing motion but we also know that he is a talented athlete with a long list of wins, trophies, awards. He is a capable quarterback with a relentless drive to succeed that just happens to have millions of “crazed” fans that cheer him on.

MOST ANY LEGEND HAS A DIE-HARD FOLLOWING. WE BELIEVE THAT TEBOW IS THE STUFF THAT LEGENDS ARE MADE of and if given a fair shake, he can become all that we know he can be. He already is a legend off the field, he deserves to expand beyond his amazing collegiate career and brief run in the NFL to become a full-time starting QB. His short-lived time with the Denver Broncos was only glimpse at his ability to win and the NY Jets never let him shine.

IF TIM TEBOW WASN’T SUCH A STELLAR HUMAN BEING, PERHAPS HE WOULDN’T HAVE THE “FAN PROBLEM.” BUT THEN AGAIN, HE WOULDN’T BE TIM TEBOW, THE QB WITH ENOUGH CHARACTER TO BRING PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TOGETHER TO FILL THE STANDS TO CHANT “TEBOW!” AND ENOUGH TALENT AND DRIVE TO GET THE WIN, bringing in even more Tebow fans. To me, it doesn’t seem that having a huge fan base should be a problem. Maybe those who use that excuse should try again.

See Angie’s original post here with pictures of Tim visiting her four-year-old dying nephew in ICU.

By Justin Barney

Tim Tebow came home on Friday night with a message that’s become a recurring theme in his ministry.

NFL quarterback or not — and he’s not right now after being released by the New York Jets — Tebow’s going to continue using the platform that he’s been given to make an impact any way that he can.

Tebow spoke at New Life Christian Fellowship as part of his Inspire series. Recently named the world’s most influential athlete by Forbes, Tebow didn’t talk about his lofty status, or future as an NFL player. While the debate about where the former Nease High and University of Florida star will end up continues to drag on, that wasn’t the message.

Tebow instead chose to share numerous stories from his well-known words of faith and hope. Tebow, who wasn’t made available to the media, talked about everything from his competitive nature as a 4-year-old tee-ball player (his coach thought Tebow’s mentality was a little too much), to his most forgettable recruiting trip in high school (Notre Dame). Most of the stories began with sports and ended with some tie to faith or humility.

For many in the audience, it was a chance to see and hear Tebow without “Jets” or “Jaguars” or “throwing motion” attached. It was a simple night that several people said was like a conversation around a table with an old friend. New Life’s Melodee Nobles said that 750 people attended the event.

“It was fun out there, how can it not be with that guy out there,” said Denny Thompson, a Providence assistant football coach who helped WJXL radio host Joe Cowart with an auction of Tebow-related memorabilia that raised $12,700. “It was a great night out there.”

Providence junior Jack Halton, a tight end on the Stallions football team, said the night allowed the audience to hear Tebow, unscripted, talk about more than just football.

“You don’t get to see who’s behind the pads and we got a chance to see that,” Halton said. “He goes out of his way to reach out to kids. It’s just great to see that even someone [famous] like him will do that. I thought he was great.”

Outside of the Florida-Florida State zingers that drew the most applause, Tebow’s football line of the night came when Erik Dellanback asked about the most memorable moment of his 2011 season with the Denver Broncos.

“One of my favorite stories, ironically, was against the New York Jets,” Tebow said of a Nov. 17 game, a 17-13 Broncos win.

“And probably my greatest Jets highlight, I guess.”

Dellenback, executive director of Tebow’s foundation, said that some of the most special events that Tebow takes part in are those like Friday’s. Tebow does about 20 events every year like the Inspire forum. “We get to play a small part in making a difference,” Dellenback said. “God changes people we just get an opportunity to plant the seed.”

Video

Tim Tebow has always played the game differently than his quarterback predecessors. Doug Flutie also broke the mold during his NFL career, see how the football outsiders compare and how their careers mirror each other.

By Michael Allen

Former Jacksonville Jaguars player Tony Boselli recently said that Tim Tebow’s “crazed fans” have created a “circus” and are making it a problem for the quarterback to be signed to a new team (audio below).

Tebow has become a sensation among many Christian fans for his outspoken faith and “Tebowing,” in which he thanks God on the field.

“I like Tim and I think he’s a great person, but if I were the Jaguars I would not do it,” Boselli told the ‘Open Mike’ radio show, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

“I wouldn’t do it because of the distraction. I’m not convinced either way on whether Tim could be a franchise quarterback … The problem is people like this lawyer [John Morgan], the media and the crazed fans who are hurting Tebow.”

Boselli, who played offensive tackle for the Jaguars between 1995 and 2001, said that Tebow hasn’t been presented a solid offer yet because he may be seen as causing a “distraction.”

“What team wants to bring a guy who’s a developing player onto their roster when he’s going to be a complete distraction, through no fault of his own, and become a disruption in the locker room? It becomes all about that, whether he is going to play, whether it’s going to work and the rest of the team is saying, ‘We’re trying to win ballgames.’ I feel bad for Tim because I don’t think it’s all his fault. It’s outside circumstances and people who are making it tough on him,” said Boselli.

Source: Orlando Sentinel

(Tebow part begins at 5:30 mark)

Link To The Audio

Video

By Sports World Report

Tim Tebow seemingly can’t get out of any dramatic situation even if it’s not his fault, as intelligent GOP Congressman Steve King from Iowa called out President Obama for calling Jason Collins after coming out as gay but not calling Tim Tebow, saying that it sends the wrong message to the culture because he doesn’t believe gay people deserve the same rights as he does as an American citizen.

Tim Tebow is finally free from the clutches of Rex Ryan and the New York Jets and despite the fact that he can sign wherever he wants, the quarterback may have a harder time finding a new team than he expected, as a number of them have already expressed interest in not signing him, such as the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins.

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According to ESPN.com though, despite the fact that some teams do not want to sign the quarterback, Tebow has a number of options where he fits the system and the situation, including in San Diego with the Chargers as well as in New Orleans with the Saints and with the New England Patriots up in his old haunt of the AFC East. While Tebow is not considered to be a typical quarterback by many standards, he has proven already that he can play in the NFL and what he needs now is a chance to show it.

The Jets may have said that they wanted to give Tebow every chance to succeed, bait their actions during the season said otherwise and now they basically wasted $4.1 million dollars bringing him to the roster to help boost jersey sales and take headlines away from the New York Giant after winning the Super Bowl two years ago. Sources said that Tebow impressed the Jets with his work this offseason with Chris Weinke and Vinny Testaverde, but it wasn’t enough to keep him after the team picked Geno Smith in the second round of the NFL draft after taking Dee Milliner and Sheldon Richardson in the first round.

Tebow has been successful at every level of football he has played and despite that fact that some teams do not want to give him a chance, he has done something a number of other starting quarterbacks in the league have never done in taking his team to a division title and the playoffs and leading them to a postseason win, which he did while with the Broncos. Tebow was supposed to get a chance in the Wildcat last season, but the Jets were busy with butt fumbles instead. He rushed for just 102 yards and passed for 39 and he was scapegoated for most of the season by people in the press, although him not getting on the field was not his fault.

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Submitted by Renee Unsworth on Fri, 05/17/2013 – 8:45am

So, I’ve been thinking of blogging about Tim Tebow all week because I heard a Jacksonville radio ad last Sunday by an area lawyer addressing Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. The ad basically said to give Tebow a chance in Jacksonville … and that by doing so, the Jaguars would sell seats. I agree.

And that’s why I’m blogging about Tebow. People who know me know that I’m not a sports fan. … However, Tebow holds a special place in my memory.

I started working at the Record when he was playing high school football right here in St. Johns County … When it all began for him.

At that time, our sports writers (Justin Barney,  Hays Carlyon, and Stuart Korfhage) started writing about him. Then Tebow went off to the University of Florida and made even bigger headlines.

That’s why I’m a Tebow fan. Not a football fan, but a Tebow fan. Long before “Tebowing,” long before Denver and New York.

His legend started as a quarterback for Nease High School, where he was named Florida’s Mr. Football and a Parade All-American. Tim Tebow

Speaking of Justin Barney, here’s a Tebow blog he wrote on May 10 with the headline:

2 Cents: One final time, the Jaguars do not need Tim Tebow, period

http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2013-05-10/story/2-cents-one-final-time-jaguars-do-not-need-tim-tebow-period#ixzz2TYH657H2

I disagree with Barney. And I disagree with the following  story that ran yesterday (May 16) at www.sportsworldreport.com by Matthew Jussim with this headline:

Tim Tebow Rumors: Quarterback Hurt By Crazed Jacksonville Jaguars Fans

Here’s the link: http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/15273/20130516/tim-tebow-rumor…

I disagree that all the fan craze is hurting him, or his chances to play for the Jaguars. … Bring him to Jacksonville and the fans will fill the seats. And that’s my two cents.

Renee Unsworth is the arts and entertainment editor for the St. Augustine Record. Compass Magazine, the arts and entertainment publication of the Record, runs every Friday. To find stories online, go to staugusitne.com/entertainment. Email renee.unsworth@staugustine.com