"Everybody seems to be looking for some kind of deep meaning in what he does," said Father Robert Crofut of the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Norwalk. "I believe that Tebow is just expressing thanks for who he is and the gifts that he is blessed with."
Those who criticize Tebow for pointing to the sky after completing a touchdown pass or taking a knee to pray before a potential game-winning field goal, feel he should keep his gestures private. Others say that Tebow is just being himself and staying true to his faith.
"He can't separate what he believes in just to make others happy," said Father Michael J. Bachman of Saint Ladislaus Parish. "I respect what he does even though it might not be a popular stance."
After helping the Broncos win their sixth consecutive game on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy while at the University, made sure to let everyone know who came first in his life.
"I want to thank my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ," Tebow said to Fox NFL reporter Tony Siragusa.
"He seems to be really a sincere man and he's demonstrating an act of thanks," said Crofut. "I don't think he's imposing his religion on anybody and believe his gestures are really genuine."
In a sports world that has been riddled with scandal, Tebow has been like an air freshener that covers up a bad odor. He accepts being a role model and is bothered if some people are turned off by actions when it comes to religion on the field.
