Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has earned a reputation as a miracle worker on the field, engineering one fourth quarter comeback after another. And his openness about his evangelical Christian faith is a major reason he is one of the most polarizing figures in the NFL – many people root for or against him based upon his religious beliefs, and his open discussion of them.
These two factors came together this week when head coach John Fox asked Tebow to address the team before their AFC West matchup with the San Diego Chargers. Tebow went with what he knows best and quoted scripture in his inspirational speech, specifically Proverbs 27:17. “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,” Tebow said on Sunday before the game.
“It was a huge honor,” Tebow said of being given the opportunity to speak. “I just tried to share from the heart.”
His speech had the desired effect, as once again the Broncos came from behind for an overtime victory against the Chargers. The Broncos are now 5-1 since Tebow got the starting job, after their 1-4 start.
“I’ve never seen a human who can will himself to win like that,” Denver linebacker Von Miller said. “He gave us a great speech. We came out [for the game] fired up. And that was a wrap.”
Miller was also a major part of the victory, as he had 10 tackles and 1 sack in the game. Miller also made a key play in overtime that kept the Broncos chances alive for the victory.
San Diego had marched down to the 31-yard line, setting up a makeable 48-yard field goal with about 3 minutes left in overtime. On third down and six, the Chargers went for a safe run up the middle to try to move the ball a little closer, and Miller knifed through the defense and tackled Mike Tolbert for a five yard loss. The loss pushed the field goal out to 53 yards, which Mike Novak missed wide right.
With the defense on the field, Tebow was doing the only thing he could do. He was praying from the sidelines. Asked after the game if he was praying for Novak to miss, he laughed and said, “I might’ve said that… or maybe a block.”
Whether it was the five yard loss on third down by Miller’s tackle or Tebow’s prayer, or a little of both, who can say? But the formula is clearly working and Miller believes in Tebow as his quarterback. With Tebow leading the offense and Miller and Elvis Dumervil (who had 2 sacks in the game) leading the defense, the Broncos look capable of putting together a serious (if somewhat unconventional) playoff run.
“Tebow believes in what he believes in. It’s amazing. He doesn’t change for anybody. He’s the same 24/7. I’ve witnessed it on tough days, cold days, he’s the same every day,” Miller said.
“What [Tebow] has his mind-set on is going to work. And it does.”
