It’s no secret that Tim Tebow brought the carnival to town with his popularity as well as his proclamations of faith.
A former Florida Gator and Heisman Trophy winner, Tebow was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2010. He is remembered for his heart-palpitating come backs late in the fourth quarter—especially the playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012.
He electrified Bronco country. Not only on the field, but off, too.
Tebow, an evangelical Christian, thanked his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in many interviews and prayed before, after, and during every game—sparking a worldwide phenomenon of “Tebowing.” ESPN even caught him singing praise songs during warm-up on occasion. Tebow was often criticized by the media for his bold proclamations of faith.
In Spring 2012, the Denver Broncos picked up popular Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback, Peyton Manning, trading Tebow to the New York Jets. Since then, Tebow was traded to the Patriots, cut, and recently offered a job as a college football analyst for ESPN.
Meanwhile in Denver, we’re experiencing another media firestorm around a quarterback—one that looks much different than Tebow-mania. Manning, also a Christian, has taken a very different approach to his faith.
If one is brash and bold, the other is far more quiet and reserved. While one speaks through words, the other demonstrates his love of God in action.
In his book Manning, Peyton describes his faith like this:
I committed my life to Christ, and that faith has been most important to me ever since. Some players get more vocal about it—the Reggie Whites, for example—and some point to Heaven after scoring a touchdown and praise God after games. I have no problem with that. But I don’t do it, and don’t think it makes me any less a Christian. I just want my actions to speak louder, and I don’t want to be more of a target for criticism than I already am.
As far as who will win the next game, Peyton is noted as saying:
Ah, but do I “pray for victory?” No, except as a generic thing. I pray to keep both teams injury free, and personally, that I use whatever talent I have to the best of my ability. But I don’t think God really cares about who wins football games, except as winning might influence the character of some person or group. Besides. If the Colts were playing the Cowboys and I prayed for the Colts and Troy Aikman prayed for the Cowboys, wouldn’t that make it a standoff?
Both Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning agree that football comes later in their priorities, behind God, family, and friends. [Tweet this] Yet choose to express their faith in very different ways.
Whose expression of faith do you most resonate with and why?
*Quotes from Manning by Peyton and Archie Manning (pp. 362-364), available on Amazon, here.
I’m a Manning but I pray, “Lord, let me be a Tebow when its necessary.” As I’ve grown older I have become more publicly demonstrative about my faith probably because I realize our time here is fleeting and the gospel must be told. With so many truly persecuted for their faith in this world, it’s refreshing to remember in this country we are allowed to take a knee.
Blessings,
Felecia
PS: GO BRONCOS!!!
Yes! #UnitedinOrange 🙂
Definitely Manning all the way in this one. I remember when Tebow was here and everyone said, “Oh isn’t it great he visits children’s hospitals all the time?” A family member from Indianapolis said, “Peyton Manning has a children’s hospital named after him here.” Reportedly, Manning donated $50 million to that hospital. I’d much rather see that kind of action than John 3:16 on his eye black or Tebowing. The lightning rod Tebow became was certainly due in part to media but also to the fact that people just don’t want to hear it. They want to see it.
Great point, Joe. Grateful to have two public figures serving the Lord so faithfully.
I hope that my life would be a mix of both, being bold for my faith, and living out my faith before others. I am a Peyton manning in most of life. Praying for Peyton!
I have to echo others on here that I would want a mix of both. I don’t see Tebow as being a showoff, but brave and bold. Even though Manning is quieter, he still doesn’t hide his faith. And both have been known for their deeds.
So true, Jennifer. Both are great examples.
Great post. I believe we need to have both types of personalities to spread God’s word. There are Those like Paul and Peter, and others like Andrew and Bartholomew. God will use ALL different personalities and leadership styles for his glory. That’s a good thing.
Amen, Angie! So glad God can use us all for his glory!
Margaret, as a current reader of Wonderstruck (a gift/prize from Shelly Miller–so gracious!) I am delighted to find your website and read along.
As a Seattleite (ahem) and the home of the OTHER team playing in the Super Bowl,I’d like to talk about our own quiet Russell Wilson–a young man of God who is a witness on and off the field.
God can use all of it–the hallelujahs and the quiet lives lived out in public for His glory. I’d venture to say that our own Richard Sherman’s recent TV tirade (with all the ‘behind the scenes’ info coming out) is even being used for the good.
God is such a big God!
Great comparison Margaret about how two guys go about the same mission in two different ways. I believe both have been successful. Thanks!
As a Christian I am truly saddened by your comments, and if you don’t understand why then I am all the more sad.
As much as I love Tim Tebow’s enthusiasm for Jesus and his total courage to proclaim that love publicly, I have been a Peyton Manning fan for a long time and agree with his evangelical approach. Both men share Jesus but Peyton’s desire to walk the walk so that others see Jesus in him is more my style than how Tebow expresses his faith. He isn’t wrong at all – he is just called to evangelize in a different way than Peyton. Peyton is older and I would assume a bit more mature in the Lord than Tim. I have noticed quite a few football players showing symbols of their faith in the last couple of years and it is a brave choice they make doing so.
Personally, I think Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback, Russell Wilson, an outspoken (and well-spoken) Christ-follower, is a nice balance between Tebow and Manning. (Though I admire both of them as well, of course!)
Go Hawks!
You’re so right, Larry. What awesome examples of followers of Jesus we have in the Super Bowl!
I am grateful as well for any Christian who is not ashamed of the Gospel. I am pretty sure you did not intend to… but a quick reading of your post seems to imply that Tebow only has outward, showy faith. Particularly the art box (I dont know what to call it) is almost unkind…
They both are probably living out their faith in action. Just needed to say that.
I don’t want to come across as critical, but this post just seemed a little different from what you usually post.
Since most of us do not know them in real life it is just conjecture to think we can make comparisons and judgements. And even if we did know them, is it helpful?
Please prayerfully consider this.
With much love …..
Yes, completely agree, Karen. While both live out their faith in different ways, Tebow is noticeably more vocal about his faith, on top of active. I’m sorry if that came across wrong.
I love Margaret but I find this comparison unnecessary and not really balanced. Tebow’s actions have spoken as loudly as his bold proclamations. Look at his foundation and the wonderful work it does. I’m equally thankful for both.
You’re so right, Regina. Tebow doesn’t just vocalize his faith, he does act on it.
I read a few years ago that Peyton’s been to the playboy mansion a couple of times. I don’t think that lines up with the Christian faith. There is no such thing as a secret Christian. Peyton’s been in the league for how many years and we’re just now hearing about his faith…from a book? And there is an eternal difference between a personal faith and a faith you claim. Just concerns me that if someone’s been a Christian this long, that we are just now hearing about it.
You bring up a good point, Tom!
I love these guys and have been following their careers for many years. It is so easy to idolize athletes but we all have done things in our lives we are not proud of, myself included. I want to address the recent issues about Peyton regarding his sexual harassment involvement long ago at the University of Tennessee. His squeaky clean image led me to believe that Peyton was the last guy you would think that would be involved in something like this. Below is detailed the very condemning facts of the case which is now public knowledge. Christians need to reach out to Peyton and his family with prayer, love and support and most importantly with a desire to bring about repentance. If Peyton is a man of God, he needs to be convicted of lying to protect his image, asking others to lie for him, and accusing others falsely. He needs to be broken about this. It is important to note that Peyton did not receive Godly support and counselling from leaders at the school or even his dad, who attempted to protect his image at all costs and in fact condoned his behavior.
https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2712091/Factsofthecase.pdf