Excessive Celebration

Week 11 Byes:

(7-3) Houston Texans

(0-10) Indianapolis Colts

(7-3) New Orleans Saints

(7-3) Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 11 Games:

Thursday, November 17

(5-5) New York Jets 13 at (5-5) DenverBroncos 17

Sunday, November 20

(2-7) Carolina Panthers at (6-3) Detroit Lions

(4-5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (9-0) Green Bay Packers

(5-4) Dallas Cowboys at (3-6) Washington Redskins

(5-4) Buffalo Bills at (2-7) Miami Dolphins

(3-6) Jacksonville Jaguars at (3-6) Cleveland Browns

(5-4) Tennessee Titans at (5-4) Atlanta Falcons

(5-4) Oakland Raiders at (2-7) Minnesota Vikings

(6-3) Cincinnati Bengals at (6-3) Baltimore Ravens

(3-6) Seattle Seahawks at (2-7) St. Louis Rams

(3-6) Arizona Cardinals at (8-1) San Francisco 49ers

(4-5) San Diego Chargers at (6-3) Chicago Bears

(3-6) Philadelphia Eagles at (6-3) New York Giants

Monday, November 21

(4-5) Kansas City Chiefs at (6-3) New England Patriots

Tim Tebow is now 4-1 as a starter; his touchdown run put the Broncos up 16-13 over the Jets in Thursday night’s game. The PAT made the final score 17-13. Both teams are now 5-5.

Tebow is a polarizing player. Arguments go both ways about his football abilities and whether he will have success in the NFL, because he is not a traditional NFL player. His wins give his supporters “I told you so” rights; his loss did the same for his detractors.

Much has been made of Tebow’s dropping down to one knee, giving thanks to God. No one seems to doubt his sincerity in doing so, and he’s not the first college or NFL player to give a prayer in thanks after a good play or score.

Tebowing has become a verb describing the phenomenon of dropping to one knee regardless of where a person is; people are posting photos of themselves Tebowing at http://www.tebowing.com.

When what you do becomes a verb, it’s become excessive.

Players are penalized for excessive celebration if they leave their feet or use a prop, particularly the football, in the course of celebrating a good play or score. Tebow’s habitual and automatic dropping down on one knee in prayer both makes use of God as a prop, and focuses attention on himself. Maybe his team should receive the automatic penalty of 15 yards after he does it.

Other players have knelt down and given a quick prayer, but the media coverage was not giddy as it is now with Tebow. Was it because they did not flaunt their faith as Tebow does?   

Maybe it’s time Tebow took it down a notch and the media coverage did likewise. If God sees and hears all, what is wrong with offering a silent prayer? Is it more effective if a person prays from a knee?

Before you start frothing at the mouth, let me ask you this: if a Muslim player was prostrate in prayer to thank Allah in the end zone or along the sideline, would there be as much congratulation and marveling about their faith? Would the media be as infatuated as they are with Tebow? Or would the hue and cry be of a different nature, such as how there is no place for that at a football game?

What would we look like if everyone started Tebowing at work after something good happened? A toll booth attendant breaks a $20 in record time, and suddenly drops out of sight in their booth. A hair stylist drops to one knee after a customer says how much they like their new haircut. A real estate agent drops down to one knee to give thanks after a spectacular sale.

People at work are expected to be professional. Football is a game, but Tebow is paid to play it. He’s a professional, and it’s time he started acting like one.