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A Night of Purpose

Football & Faith with Tim Tebow

By
Tony Chapman
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GRAND ISLAND – Robbie Trent is a just a guy – husband, Fellowship of Christian Athletes advisor – serving the Lord.

Oh, and Thursday night at the Heartland Events Center, he was sitting with 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow to share a story on faith for nearly 3,700 central Nebraska attendees of the Football and Faith Night hosted by Nebraska FCA.

“This evening was extremely humbling to know how God was using it,” said Trent, a former football player at Doane College. “We always talk about the Gospel being of first importance, but how often do we get a venue, an arena full of people, to talk about it?

“That got me fired up.”

Trent wasn’t the only one.

Tebow dazzled the crowd in the question-and-answer format, sharing stories of growing up the youngest of five, competing, role models and his time at Florida and in the National Football League. He also shared the stage earlier in the evening with former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne in a private dinner Q&A for nearly 650 attendees.

But it was the main attraction that had those focused on the words of the two-time national champion quarterback and first ever sophomore to win the Heisman.

In Little League, Tebow wanted to win. But, he also wanted to tell everybody at church how he did the night before. So, his parents made him memorize Bible verses on humility before he could talk to parishioners about his tales on the diamond. Be humble.

An encounter with his hero – fellow Florida Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel – at an early age had an impact on how he handled others.

“He signed my church bulletin and I still have that in a frame at my parents house,” Tebow told the crowd. “That meeting meant a lot to me.

“To have him be my role model and see how he treated people made it so when I got the opportunity where I might be a role model to a few kids here and there, I wanted to make them feel like Danny Wuerffel made me feel.”

The stories of faith could have been told all night by the son of missionaries from Florida. Tebow was born in Manila, Phillipines and served on many mission trips with his family. It was recommended that his mother abort Tim as his placenta was not attached in the womb, seriously threatening his survival and his mothers.

“I am thankful that I had a mom who said, ‘I am going to trust God with my life and my baby’s life,'” Tebow said.

The youngster quickly rebounded. A top athlete since he was young, Tebow won a Florida state high school championship before heading to Gainesville.

It was during the second title run that Tebow’s faith came front and center. As teammates were writing their mom’s name or area code on eye-black before games, he took a different approach, putting Phil 4:13 on his.

Phillipians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” A verse long known to athletes. A way for Tebow to share his faith.

After rolling through the regular season, Tebow felt a change was needed for the title game in the 2008 Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. He moved, after a long talk with the superstitious coach Urban Meyer, to 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 result? A 24-14 Florida win. And, 94 million Google searches for John 3:16 during the title game.

“It was so humbling to to think that I could be a messed up, broken, silly person who makes mistakes and I just make one little decision where I stepped out with my faith and showed a little courage and a little boldness.

“It was crazy to see how God could use it.”

Three years to the day later, in a 29-23 Denver Broncos playoff win over Pittsburgh, Tebow threw for 316 yards on ten completions (31.6 average) to a national television audience that drew a rating of 31.6. John 3:16, indeed.

Tebow continues to work for another shot at the NFL after having stints with the New York Jets and Patriots after the Broncos picked up Peyton Manning for the 2011 season. He also works as an analyst for the ESPN-owned SEC Network.

But, most importantly, he continues to minister God’s word in addition to running the successful Tim Tebow Foundation that serves children all over the world.

He shared a recent story where he visited inmates in a prison on death row. As he was finished he asked to see four more inmates on suicide watch.

“We came up to one man and he was in a little room and was wrapped up because of being on suicide watch,” Tebow shared. “We looked through his little window and he came up to me and said, ‘You are Christian aren’t you?'”

When Tebow, replied yes the man fell to the floor weeping uncontrollably for nearly five minutes. Just minutes earlier – and just a few days after attempting suicide – the prisoner had asked God if he really cared to show him, to give him a sign.

“He had told God, ‘You have never done anything for me. If you really care, show me.’ He asked Jesus to come into his heart right there,” Tebow said. “That’s the wonderful thing, He’ll meet you right where you are in your life. It’s now about how good you are, it’s about how great He is.”

It was a powerful message. A powerful evening of faith. The football was secondary.

But it came together for Tebow as he shared his significance with those at the event. A theme of ‘Finish Strong’ that he shared with his 2007 Florida teammates and in his faith life.

At the end of that national title game against Oklahoma, Meyer shared a special moment with Tebow as he came to the sideline for the final time.

“Timmy, I just want you to know: I love ya, I am proud of you. You finished strong.”

It’s what Tebow wants God to tell him when he gets to Heaven.

“How cool would it be for (God) to pull off his headset from running the world and come up to me, squeeze me and say, ‘Timmy, I just want you to know: I love ya. I am proud of you. You finished strong.’ That’s my ultimate goal.”

And his call to those at the events center? To love others and to serve.

“We serve an amazing God,” Tebow said. “He is a big God. Let others know, ‘I am praying for you. Is there anything I can do to help you? You are special just the way you are.’

“He has given us a task. He has asked us to do something. Love God. Love people. And if we finish strong, that is significance.”

It was a significant night in Grand Island. One of purpose and fellowship. One that Robbie Trent was happy to have a shared with others.

“It was so cool,” said Trent, who serves as the regional FCA Director in Lincoln and works with University of Nebraska players and coaches as well as local elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. “It was just so neat to see (all the people). The world sees him as a superstar, but to Christ we are brothers. To be able to share that with him was a true joy.”

Not just for Trent, but for all those who were impacted on Thursday night.