Tim Tebow Sports Bible Reference on Eye Black en Route to National Title

John 3:16  (ESV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

BCS National Championship Game: Florida 24, Oklahoma 14 (January 8, 2009)

For college football fans, the 2009 BCS National Championship Game was loaded with intrigue and fascinating matchups. There was the clash of two powerhouse programs–Florida and Oklahoma–and a faceoff between two of the sport’s most accomplished coaches–Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops.

On the field, it was the battle between quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford that had captured the national spotlight. Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, was noted for his unique ability to run and pass the ball effectively while Bradford, the newly crowned 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, preferred a more traditional passing style.

The game was expected to be a high-scoring affair, especially considering that the Sooners had already set an NCAA record for most points scored in a season. But sloppy play and defensive grit saw both teams struggle for consistency. Ultimately, Tebow and running back Percy Harvin gave the Gators just enough of an advantage to claim the 24-14 victory and the coveted BCS title.

Ironically, football wasn’t the only thing that captured the 26.8 million viewers’ attention. Many fans took notice of the eye blacks that Tebow donned during the game. Under his right eye was the word “John.” Under his left eye was the number “3:16.” Curiosity then fueled an incredible phenomenon that resulted in 94 million Internet searches.

What the mass inquisition revealed is arguably the most iconic Bible verse known to mankind:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

The following July at the Southeastern Conference media day, Tebow was asked about the buzz he had created.

“That just kind of showed me, wow, the impact,” he responded to reporters. “I could wear something under my eyes and millions of people were going to Google it. I really had a platform. I wanted to take advantage of that for one more year, be a good role model for the kids that look up to me.”

Since then, Tebow has remained one of the most popular sports figures in the United States. Although his NFL career was short-lived, he has continued to embrace his influential role as a speaker, author, broadcaster, and, most recently, as an aspiring professional baseball player.

“It all starts with you—working hard,” he once told Sharing the Victory Magazine, “And if everybody sees that—that you are the hardest working person out there—then they are going to respect you and what you say and you are going to have a lot more opportunity to influence them.”

A year following Florida’s championship victory, the NCAA banned messages on eye blacks. The new statute, which quickly became known as “the Tim Tebow rule,” may have put an end to biblical references on the field of play, but not before the iconic athlete was able to make an enormous impact on popular culture.

Dear Lord, thank You for those that stand up for You. We pray for strength for each one today. We pray that their testimony for You will continue to reach those in need. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

My Superbowl Thoughts

Matthew 23:11-12  (New International Version)\

11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

This is the devotion that I shared at our Superbowl party tonight. I pray that it challenges you to do your very best in everything you do for our Lord.

As we take a break from the action on the field I want to look at a man that made a real difference this football season. He didn’t get his team to the Super bowl but he got his Lord and Savior talked about every week.

Every week, Tebow would pick out someone who is suffering, or who is dying, or who is injured. He flew these people and their families to the Broncos game, rented them a car, put them up in a nice hotel, bought them dinner (usually at a Dave & Buster's), gave them and their families pregame passes, visited with them just before kickoff , gave them 30-yard-line tickets down low, visited with them after the game (sometimes for an hour), then would walk with them to their car, and sent them off with a basket of gifts.

He did this Home or road, win or lose, hero or goat.

After Tebow stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers with an 80-yard OT touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas in the playoffs  and Twitter was exploding with 9,420 tweets about Tebow per second.  When an ESPN poll was naming him the most popular athlete in America?

Tebow was spending that hour talking to 16-year-old Bailey Knaub about her 73 surgeries so far and what TV shows she likes.

Even though John 3:16 the Bible verse that Tim Tebow once painted in tiny script onto his eye black until the National Football League barred all such personal messages. John 3:16 showed up in a mighty way. 

On that day Tim Tebow nonetheless delivered that Biblical message to the masses Sunday during an overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The score was 29-23. But the game was significant for other game-time numbers: He passed for 316 yards, and set an NFL playoff record with 31.6 yards per completion. Time of Possession 31 Minutes 6 Seconds… And the Broncos-Steelers OT Scored a 31.6 Television Rating. 

As Christians, John 3:16, is our single most important verse in the Bible. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

Immediately following the win in Pittsburgh, John 3:16 was the most Googled searched term for much of Sunday evening and into Monday morning.

Oddly enough, Tebow himself did not seem to make a connection between his game stats and the Bible verse that he used to paint in white under his eye. But sports fans and non-sports fans alike tried to make sense of the statistical coincidences and took time to brush up on the Bible. 

But he did praise the Lord, just as he has done throughout his career, a practice that has gained him plenty of fans and critics. "First and foremost I just want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He’s done so much in my life," Tebow said to the media after the game. 

Although he can no longer paint John 3:16 on his game face, he did open the door for Focus on the Family to run a TV ad the very next week featuring children explaining John 3:16. Because Tim Tebow is consistent with his faith over 50 million people saw John 3:16 on National Television. As much as Tim wants to win football games Im sure that he was smiling knowing that God’s love was be proclaimed on TV for all to see. 

Tim Tebow is a thankful person. From the time of his birth, a birth doctors suggested should have never happened due to medical concerns for his mother, to his amazing “odds” defying the critics that said he could never make it in the NFL, Tim Tebow has seen firsthand what faith in Jesus Christ combined with his own hard work and dedication can do. His heart is filled with gratitude to the One who has been with his family every step of the way. Out of his gratitude to God, he gives thanks.

The challenge tonight is to work hard and do your very best in everything you do and always give God the glory for all He does for you. 

Dear Lord we pray that today we would make it our goal to always do our very best, give it our all and Always give You the glory and honor no matter the results.

The Quarterback and His Testimony.

Let's be honest, there is not a doubt in any person's mind that Tebow is a Christian. From his eye black scriptures to the stand he has taken on abstinence. A reporter even asked him during and after game press conference if he was still a virgin.


This is not some new platform that Tebow is jumping on. He has faced four years of being prodded, made fun of and even embarrassed because of his stand on voicing his Christianity.

Over the last five years, we have seen every story and video of Tebow around. We have seen him working in the Philippines on Missions. We have seen him working with area youth. We have seen him on the field, in church, speaking in front of crowds. He has taken every opportunity to share the love of God that is so real to him.

I am impressed that as young as Tebow is, he never backs down in his beliefs.


As for Christian quarterbacks, Tebow is not the only quarterback standing on his faith. It is exciting to see men of faith not afraid to stand for what they believe. Let’s keep them in our prayers that they can stay strong.






I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.


-1 Timothy 2:1 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we thank You for the quarterbacks that will take a stand for You. We pray that you would give them the strength they need to stand strong for you and not give in to the temptations that are all around them. In Jesus’ name, amen.