In a few minutes, Tim Tebow would take the stage at Redemption to the Nations Church on Bailey Avenue and deliver an inspirational, spiritual message every bit as strong, if not stronger, than any performance he ever gave on a football field. And the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner was pretty good at football in leading the Florida Gators to two national championships.
But before he spoke Sunday afternoon to a gathering of close to 500 mostly socially distanced, somewhat mask-wearing folks in Chattanooga, a video recounting some of his athletic achievements filled a giant video screen, followed by these words from Tebow: “I want to be known for bringing faith, hope and love to those in need.”
Then he strongly underscored those words throughout most of a riveting talk that lasted more than an hour.
“Does your life actually show a sense of urgency in what you believe?” he asked at one point. “Or do you hope to just kind of get by?”
He then added: “People mistake excitement, momentum, hype for passion. They’re not. When I get hit by a 300-pound defensive lineman, I no longer have much excitement, momentum or hype. Passion is caring so much for something that you’re willing to suffer for it.”