Why I Won't Support Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow is not what is wrong with America: Tim Tebow merely personifies the mediocrity championed by so many.

I have nothing to say about religion here. I am talking about a football player's performance.

Tim Tebow runs a modified offense. This is not a secret - this has been well documented in multiple articles discussing how long the Denver offense can be successful. Some analysts have insisted that Tim Tebow is a bonafide star, a completely legitimate elite quarterback. Most have commented that the offense being run is limiting, unsustainable and is doing the development of a young quarterback no favors.

Children are paying attention.

In this particular instance, Shannon Sharpe made quite a statement when he interviewed Tim Tebow face to face. "This offense is stunting your growth." Mr. Sharpe was brave enough to remind a young man (making no small amount of money) that it isn't just about winning today. It's about being able to be the quarterback of the future, secure in job as well as skills. Broncos executive John Elway was asked if the Denver Broncos have their quarterback of the future. His direct, immediate answer was, "No."

I have watched Tim Tebow run his offense. I have personally seen him hinder the abilities of the men with whom he works. I have said and will continue to say what I believe:

We are teaching the children who are watching Tim Tebow: "If you are talented, and the job you are doing actively hinders the talented people around you, as long as you win it's okay."

Even John Elway, who fought for most of his illustrious career, to win a Super Bowl title, knows that luck runs out and talent is key for long term viability in the life of an NFL franchise. How much weight does one place on the shoulders someone so inexperienced as Tim Tebow? Do wins that have far more to do with luck than talent and consistent play secure a position more than the development of someone who can, in reality, become Denver's answer to Tom Brady - a homegrown, polished diamond?

The question at the core of this is simple:

At what point does the hindrance of the other players outweigh the fact that Tebow won some games?

I find it offensive that anyone would advocate Tim Tebow to my nieces or nephews. His is a prime time example of exploiting the multiple talents of a supporting cast in order to glorify the few, limited talents of a young man who would be far more suited to other pursuits. To perform at the highest level available of football excellence means to face all situations, to function at the top of one's abilities, and to acheive victory with the skills of the entire time functioning to the best of the team's ability. Tim Tebow does none of these things. Rather, he allows the Bronco staff to reign in and alter the full ability of the rest of the offense in order to win now, win today, win at any cost.

The costs are these: the future of Tim Tebow's NFL career; the future of the abilities the rest of the offense possess, withering on the vine of neglect; the reality (right now) that children are seeing this tailoring approach and believing that this is the way the world works.