Five for No. 15

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

It was definitely ugly for 55 minutes. It was beautiful for five. And that’s all that was needed Sunday to get the Denver Broncos a win against the Miami Dolphins in Tim Tebow’s debut.

As you know, I’m a huge Florida Gators fan — an even bigger Tim Tebow fan. One day, I’ll name my yellow lab, Quince, Spanish for No. 15.

And though you might think what Tebow did Sunday was a fluke, I urge you to think again.

According to ESPN, the Broncos became the first team in NFL history to overcome a 15-point deficit with less than three minutes remaining in a game. Tebow, as he so often did while playing for the Florida Gators, sketched his name — and his team’s name — into football record books.

But you know, despite being glued to the TV Sunday afternoon, first-pumping and laughing as if I’ve been a diehard Denver Broncos fan all of my life, I still feel a connection.

I did that for four years as he played for the Gators. I did that during his Heisman Trophy-winning sophomore season. I did that even when they lost to Mississipi State, and he vowed to never let his teammates, coaches and fans down again.

The guy has passion, he’s a winner, and I don’t think — at least for right now — that can be denied. Even some of the most veteran players on the Broncos respect what he brings to the team day in and day out.

Still, he’s not perfect. The first 55 minutes were ugly. The offense was dreadful. Tebow missed open receivers streaking down the field. He tucked the ball too soon to run out of the pocket. However, a win is a win.

But there are always going to be haters, especially with Tebow. He’s had them attached to him since Day 1.

Experts criticize his throwing motion, his pocket presense, his ability to read defenses.

If I’m a Broncos fan, player or coach, quite honestly, I don’t care how it gets done. As long as Tebow is leading the team to wins, I’m happy.

Tebow may not retire as a Hall of Fame NFL player. Or maybe he will. We won’t know until that day does or doesn’t come.

In the meantime, enjoy the ride. Tebow has proved he can capture Gator Nation. He is beginning to capture Broncos Nation, too.

Contact Andrew O’Brien at [email protected].