Tim Tebow: Role Model, Gentle Giant, Love Magnet

By Richard Diaz
Love of Sports Correspondent

As a life-long and die hard Miami Hurricanes fan, there have always been certain givens in life.

As a child, I understood that FSU is evil and the Gators are afraid to play us. As I got older, it became clear that FSU would always be a rival and UF would always be the team that I hated for no particular reason. Too young to remember the 1987 game, it wasn’t until their more recent clashes that I was given a legitimate reason to dislike them - and I have ever since.

With UF at the top and UM in steady decline, life hasn’t been easy. So with the two teams going at it this season, it’ll be interesting to see how the young Canes handle the pressure of playing their rivals to the north, featuring Gainesville’s Mr. All-Everything, Tim Tebow.

While I could go on endlessly about the rebirth of a rivalry and all things Hurricanes, that’s not what this is all about. This, as much as it pains me, is actually a bit of love for Tim Tebow.

That’s right, this diehard Hurricanes fan is sending some love to Tim Tebow for becoming the heart of a state.

Tebow, who became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, was awarded with the Medallion of Excellence for his achievements off the field. For those outside the state of Florida, that would be the highest honor that’s awarded by the Florida Senate.

Unlike the typical college student, Tebow didn’t spend his Spring Break at some beach resort. And while there’d be absolutely nothing wrong with that; it’s admirable to see a youngster getting it right. It’s nice to see a very high profile kid who understands the bigger picture. But best of all, it’s totally unique to see someone that doesn’t use his age or talent as a reason to shy away from being a role model.

How can you not love the fact that he traveled to the Philippines during his Spring Break to spend time with orphans and sick children?

You can’t help but give up some love for a youngster who says, “There are a lot of role models in football, but there are not a lot of good ones.”

And again, you can’t help but give up some love for a youngster who says “We are a nation in need of character and in need of doing the right thing.”

The sports landscape would be a totally different beast if there were more athletes like Tim Tebow. Actions and statements like that typically come after retirement or midway through a career. Rare is the occasion for such a high profile college athlete to earn offseason media coverage for all the right reasons.

I realize this won’t even make the bottom line on ESPN; all things considered, what does that really say?

Here’s to giving up some BANDWAGON to Tim Tebow for understanding the bigger picture. By no means is he in need of “cool” points - as he’s already the Chuck Norris of college football - but truth be told, he’s as solid of a human being as they come.