Tebow and Ali

 "We have one life; it soon will be past; what we do for God is all that will last."
 -Muhammad Ali


Tim Tebow has arrived America.

It is no longer a topic that can be put on the back burner.

He is relevant, and relevant unlike any other athlete except for perhaps one.

Muhammad Ali.

Before everyone piles on the fact that Muhammad Ali is widely recognized as the greatest boxer of all time, and one of the top 5 ATHLETES of all time, I am NOT referring to Tebow's athletic prowess.

I'm referring to his beliefs.  His religion.  What he stands for.

Tebow is controversial for as many reasons off the field as he is on it.

He is Pro-Life/Anti-Abortion.  He is a devout Christian.  He is unapologetic about his views.

Ali similarly led a controversial life.  He was against Viet Nam, to the point that he would dodge the draft and be stripped of his title as World Heavyweight Champion of the world.  He was idolized.  He was also vilified.

Tim Tebow is a story because he has led the Broncos to a 7-1 record after starting 1-4.  He is a polarizing story because of his beliefs.  This makes him a story that no one can put down. 

The popular idea, at least as far as I can discern it right now, is that Tebow, an openly very religious Christian is essentially working miracles.  Comebacks in the fourth quarter, bizarre happening with onside kicks and Marion Barber.  What is going on?  They're in the playoffs right now, and are approaching a match up with a perennial favorite in New England.

His style is unorthodox and has yet to be proven to win in the NFL.

He praises Jesus, and makes sure to say 'God Bless' at the end of his press conference.

Now travel back nearly 50 years to the 1960's.

Muhammad Ali is an openly devout converted Muslim, opposing the Viet Nam war.

He speaks openly about what he believes (albeit, in a much more brash and arrogant tone) and he is what Tebow is.  Polarizing.

On one hand you have racists and traditionalist calling for anyone to beat this man.  His style being unorthodox (rope-a-dope, floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee) many pundits believe he won't be successful long term.

Ali endured it all and just kept winning.  He won by knockouts, he would win by decisions, but Ali won.  And by the end of his career he would be distinguished by many as the very best athlete ever, due not only to his place on the field but how he handled himself off of it.

He protested a war, standing up for his beliefs to the point that he would not go after being drafted.  Thus he was then stripped of his title and boxing license.  He won his appeal, and then won again in the ring.  

Ali was Muslim, spoke openly about religion and I don't doubt that Christians, Jews, Agnostics, and Atheists and Sports pundits alike were more than likely put off by his outspokenness about his religion. 

Where are we now?

Time will tell if Tebow can accumulate the wins and popularity of Ali.  My personal opinion is that the sport of Football carries too many variable to maintain greatness for an extended period of time.  It isn't only Tebow playing in the games after all.  That said who knows.

The Tebow story is not only a football story but a human one.  That is what drives us to watch.  Because just underneath the surface of a game, there are topics that are more important.

Why are we fighting a war?
What is it to be Muslim in America
What is it like to be an openly devout Christian in America?
What is the right side (Is there one?) in the right to life/right to choose debate?

It has happened once before that a dominant player has stood up for his religious and political views.
Perhaps we should embrace that it's happening again.