Sports AND Religion?

First and foremost I'd like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Right now you are probably rolling your eyes because you are expecting another commentary about how big my Tebowner is. But that is not going to be the case. As the Denver Broncos' season ended this past weekend to Ugg-boot-wearing Tom Brady and the Patriots, I got to reflect on what Tim Tebow's faith has done to the sports world.      

We all know Tebow has no problems about wearing his faith on his sleeve or on his Jockey underwear, and I am OK with it. What impresses me is that a professional player, who does not fit the mold of other players, has transcended the league and the media to embrace his faith. People are seriously calling him the Mile High Messiah.

There are those critics that feel that Tebow is misusing his platform as an NFL quarterback to force religion down our throats. But nonetheless, story after story and day after day, Tebow's continued faith is admired and revered. Some issues in professional sports are out of bounds, and generally that covers sexuality, religion and race.

This begs me to ask the question: Would it be acceptable for a college athlete to be as outspoken about faith as Tebow? And what about at Gonzaga? Would the student body and community embrace an athlete who cares more about impact off the field than on? I would like to think that is the case but I am not sure.

Before each men's basketball game, Fr. Hightower blesses the Kennel. Each fan stands and removes his or her hat in what seems to be an important tradition. There is also a crucifix in the McCarthey Athletic Center much like there is in most classrooms and buildings on campus.

Our community comprises of a number of students who care about their faith and a number of students who live and breathe Gonzaga basketball. I again have to ask a question to which I do not know the answer. Is there, or should there be, more of an emphasis on faith within our teams? 

Over the holiday break I was back home in Denver. The second I landed I saw Tebow everywhere. Seriously, the moment I got off the plane I saw a man in a military uniform "Tebowing" with his son. As break progressed, the city was all Tebow. Denver beat Pittsburgh to advance in the playoffs and literally everyone in Colorado was nicer for the rest of the week. I went to the Nuggets game when they played the Miami Heat and saw more Tebow jerseys than Nuggets'. The Nuggets won, but at the end of the game, the entire Pepsi Center was chanting "Let's Go Broncos! Let's Go Broncos!"

Denver was captured by an iconic athlete who would wear Bible verses on his eye black if he could. It has been a special ride to be a Tebow fan and, based on ESPN coverage, the world cannot get enough.

But what I am trying to understand is why at a Jesuit university, religion and sports are seemingly separate worlds. Look at WCC new-kid-on-the-block Brigham Young University. We all know the Brandon Davies controversy about his breaking the school honor code. Davies was suspended from his team right before the NCAA tournament last season.

At BYU, the honor code is more important than a game. I am not suggesting GU should have an honor code or even stricter guidelines for their athletes, but I think this is an example of why faith and sports at the college level is taboo.

I am not the most religious person on campus and to say I struggled in every religious studies class would be generous. But when we are required as students to take nine credits of religion, should we not incorporate more faith with some of our true passions (Zag basketball)?

Personally, I am torn. An increase of religion in sport might make non-religious fans feel isolated and uncomfortable (including recruits/athletes for that matter). Less would seem that religion is only an educational aspect of the university and not athletic.

I might be right and I might be wrong. I would be curious to see what other students think. Is there enough religion in sports on campus? Or too much? Or are we at a good place?

All I know is that Tebow changed the way people feel about him and the way fans treat each other. Love him or hate him, Tebow is a good guy who cares about his impact off the field more than on. As a fan of any sport, it is hard to root against that type of person. 

So while we are still upset about losing to Saint Mary's, Tebow must have felt equally upset about getting stomped by the Patriots. But after the game he said this to NFL.com's Jeff Darlington:

"God is still God. I still have a relationship with Christ, and a loss doesn't change anything. Win or lose, everything is still the same." Amen. Go Broncos. God bless.