Someone needs to tell Tebow's followers he is not the first football player to strike the "prayer poise". Going back as far as I can remember there have been players who have done the same thing. No big deal was made of it. But maybe back then this country was not as obsessed with religion. And while we are on the subject the players I referred to were black or hispanic.
So Tim wants to talk to the people and he picks up the phone and bingo! He's got a gig!
Spectators came in droves wanting to hear what the quarter back had to say. His popularity that morning rivaling the Easter bunny. And the best part...When he was done talking a numbers of them left before the end of the service. Like a concert when the main act finishes fans head for the door wanting to be the first out of the parking lot.
They didn't stay for the sermon by Champion. In retrospect I wonder if Joe Champion regrets taking Tebow's call. My guess is he wouldn't admit it even if he did.
I think Tebow is going to become a cottage industry. Books, a movie deal about his life and speaking engagements. Maybe he will be on the Bachelor. Now that would be interesting. Does he drink because that show is like a continuous Happy Hour. And the bucks will start rolling in. He will create a charity, right?
If a sports figure can become the main attraction on what Christians say is the most important day for them but go to hear a football player, well, I JUST DON'T GET IT
GEORGETOWN, Texas -- Tim Tebow drew a crowd of about 15,000 to an outdoor Easter church service Sunday, telling the gathering it's important to be outspoken about faith while admonishing athletes about not being better role models.
"In Christianity, it's the Pope and Tebow right now," Celebration Church pastor Joe Champion he said. "We didn't have enough room to handle the Pope."
Tebow – devout Christian, backup NFL quarterback and cultural phenomenon – has a flock of admirers drawn as much to his religious leanings as his Heisman Trophy skills.
Tebow told them he welcomed the attention on his convictions as well as the "Tebowing" prayer pose he often strikes on the field because it puts his faith and prayer in the public conversation.
"It's being talked about," he said. "That's exciting."
Some at the "Easter on the Hill" morning service under sunny skies about 20 miles north of Austin drove more 100 miles to hear Tebow speak. The service took on the feel of a rock concert with more than a 100 school buses shuttling people to the sprawling mega-church campus from local shopping centers and the nearby college.
The service was peppered with lively Christian rock songs and Tebow took the large stage to cheers from those who could see him while others toward the back watched on massive video screens. He sat for a 20-minute interview with Champion to talk about his faith and its role in his public life.
"It's OK to be outspoken about your faith," Tebow said.
He also took a shot at professional athletes who insist they are not role models.
"Yes you are. You're just not a good one," Tebow said.
Champion asked Tebow what he thought needed to change culturally in America.
"First and foremost is what this country was based on: one nation under God. The more that we can get back to that," Tebow said to applause.
Although church officials had said they typically get their biggest crowds on Easter, Tebow was clearly the big draw Sunday. Several hundred started heading toward the exits after Tebow spoke, not waiting for Champion's main Sunday sermon so they could avoid the 80-degree heat and beat the traffic.
Some couldn't wait for the official 8 a.m. opening to the church grounds and showed up hours early.
Debbie Sandoval and her husband and two sons arrived before sunrise. They wore Tebow's Jets jerseys and set up camp close the large soundstage with a row of chairs.
"I love that boy. ... He's like my third son," said Sandoval, who is not a regular member of the church but wasn't going to miss a chance to hear Tebow speak. A self-described "lifelong Broncos fan," Sandoval said she became a Jets fan because of Tebow. The quarterback led the Broncos to the playoffs last season and was acquired by the Jets in a trade March 21.
"Everything about this young man's extraordinary life is special," Sandoval said.
Amanda O'Hara drove about 100 miles from San Antonio on Saturday and got to the church about 4:30 a.m. "to be one of the first ones here."
"I only got about four hours sleep, I was so excited," O'Hara said. "He doesn't hide who he is. Parents should see him as a role model."
The crowd included people dressed in Easter bunny costumes and one person dressed as the Sesame Street character Elmo. About an hour before the service, Elmo dropped to a knee with a toddler boy to mimic Tebow's prayer pose.
Media access to the event was tightly controlled inside the roped off field. Reporters and photographers were required to have an escort when walking through the crowd before the service. Television cameras were allowed to record only a portion of Tebow's speech and no live video streaming of the service was permitted.
Church officials initially expected up to 20,000 and said Tebow's appearance on Easter Sunday was coincidental. Church spokeswoman Tara Wall said it was Tebow who reached out to Champion with a request to appear and Sunday was the best date available.
Mike Benaglio and his wife, Debbie, sat on a blanket.
"I'm a fan of any pro athlete who stands up for his faith," he said. "We're thrilled to be part of this. It's not about football. Whatever gets more people over to the cross, I'm in favor of."
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