Tim Tebow's 'Iron Sharpens Iron' Pep Talk Has Sports Media Quoting Scripture
Ask Tim Tebow to speak and one thing is certain – chances are good that the outspoken Christian quarterback for the Denver Broncos will talk about his love for Jesus.
It is so clear that Tebow will not shy away from interjecting his faith at any opportunity that sports reporters now seem more accustomed to him including Scripture references and game-life applications coming from the Bible in locker room post-game interviews.
Even more amazing, reporters and sports analysts are leading their broadcasts and stories with Tebow’s Scripture references.
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On Monday, after the Broncos’ overtime win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Denver Post sports writer Mark Kiszla wrote in his lead, the opening paragraph:
“Quarterback Tim Tebow no longer prints Bible verses on his eye black, but the Broncos believe what their quarterback is preaching. On the eve of Denver's 16-13 overtime victory against San Diego, Tebow's message to teammates was Proverbs 27:17.”
Kiszla was referring to Tebow’s speech to his teammates at the request of Broncos coach John Fox.
“The talk” has now been heavily reported by news organizations and is being called the “Ironman Sermon” or the “Iron sharpens iron pep talk.”
Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Kiszla followed his lead by writing, “The quarterback fell back on what he knew best, and inspired the troops by quoting from the Old Testament.”
"He said iron sharpens iron and men sharpen other men. And I think that's totally true. He gave us a great speech. We came out (for the game) fired up. And that was a wrap," said Broncos linebacker Von Miller, in a quote also heard around the sports world.
Miller also said after the game, "I've never seen a human who can will himself to win like that."
When Tebow was told after the game that his speech “had touched the hearts of teammates” he was “stopped dead in his tracks,” reported Kiszla.
"It was a huge honor," Tebow said of being given the speaking assignment from his coach. "I just tried to share from the heart."
As usual after Broncos games these days (now 5-1 under Tebow and 6-5 overall), Tebow “praised the Lord for everything that happened,” the Post reported.
Tebow admitted to reporters that he wasn’t watching when the Chargers had a chance to win the game with a field goal.
"I was kind of praying the whole time," said Tebow, as reported by the Post, and then asked whether he was praying for the Chargers field goal kicker to miss.
Also, as has become familiar, Tebow answered deftly and with a chuckle, “I might've said that. Or maybe a block."
Tebow recently inspired University of Maryland journalism professor and NPR news anchor Jamie McIntyre to write a parody of the famous editorial response published in a New York newspaper on Sept. 21, 1897, to the question of whether Santa Claus exists.
In The Denver Post parody, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Tim Tebow,” published last week, McIntyre writes “Yes, Virginia, there is a Tim Tebow. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Tim Tebow. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.”
