Jake Plummer Bashes Tebow for Outspoken Faith; Tebow Responds
By now, everyone in the NFL knows that Tim Tebow is a Christian. From “Tebowing” to the words of praise in success, the football star has made it no secret that he loves Jesus Christ. But being outspoken about his Christianity has some annoyed.
The latest anti-Tebow statement came from fellow NFLer Jake “the Snake” Plummer.
Glazing over his three-year history with the Denver Broncos as a former team member from 2003 through 2006, Plummer spoke of Denver “craving” for a winner as they once had in him and now have in Tebow.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
While speaking of Tebow in a mostly considerate sentiment, admiring his winning spirit, he said something that may rub Tebow fans the wrong way.
“Tebow, regardless of whether I wish he’d just shut up after a game and go hug his teammates; I think he’s a winner and I respect that about him. I think that when he accepts the fact that we know he loves Jesus Christ then I think I’ll like him a little better,” said Plummer on Monday to XTRA Sports 910.
Plummer is only the latest to make a negative comment toward Tebow because of his visual piety. In the past, others have tried to paint him as a religious fanatic but Tebow has been determined to use his platform for a Christ-centered influence.
The former Florida Gator and Heisman Trophy winner was known to have biblical verses on his eye black during his college career, once prompting 92 million people to search John 3:16 as a result of wearing the verse during the 2010 BCS Championship Game.
With the NFL prohibiting the wearing of messages on eye black, Tebow often tweets a Scripture verse before his games.
Some, however, would rather him be quieter about his devotion.
“I don’t hate him because of that, I just would rather not have to hear that every single time he takes a good snap or makes a good handoff ...” Plummer told XTRA Sports 910.
In response, Tebow told ESPN's First Take that his relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing in his life. "Christ comes first in my life," he stressed.
He also described his motivation for continuously expressing his Christian faith: "If you're married and you have a wife and you really love your wife, is it good enough to only say to your wife 'I love her' the day you get married? Or should you tell her every single day when you wake up and every opportunity?"
"So any time I get an opportunity to tell him that I love him or given an opportunity to shout him out on national TV, I'm gonna take that opportunity."
"I respect Jake's opinion, and I really appreciate his compliment of calling me a winner," he added. "But I feel like anytime I get the opportunity to give the Lord some praise, he is due for it."
