Former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was not the only college football player to scrawl a message in black lettering below his eyes when he took to the field. But of course, his place on the highly ranked Gators team drew more attention to the Bible verse references he wrote under his eyes.
It is curious, however, that it was only after Mr. Tebow’s high-profile use of Bible-verse citations that the NCAA is suddenly proposing a strict ban on such messages. The NCAA formerly let individual schools set their own policies, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The new regulation is being labeled “The Tebow Rule,” since it so obviously targets Mr. Tebow.
Absurdly, critics say the entirely voluntary expression of Mr. Tebow’s faith was harmful because it might have made atheists or someone of another faith feel bad. That’s nonsense, but even if the innocuous messages did make someone feel excluded, that would be no reason to censor them.
You may recall similar, and fortunately unsuccessful, efforts by pro-abortion groups to have a wholesome, pro-family ad featuring Mr. Tebow and his mother pulled from the Super Bowl broadcast — while there was little controversy about ads promoting alcohol use.
Isn’t it odd the things people choose to attack? And doesn’t the NCAA have anything better to do with its time than ban football players from harmlessly expressing their beliefs?