A big kerfuffle arose in New York last month when Tim Tebow was described as “terrible” by an anonymous Jets teammate. Now Tebow has been described similarly by an anonymous ex-teammate with the Broncos.
But the Denver player who spoke anonymously to Mike Freeman of CBS wasn’t describing Tebow as a lousy player because he dislikes Tebow. He was describing Tebow that way because he likes Tebow -- and feels badly for him, that he’s been thrust into a situation he can’t handle.
“I feel really, really bad for Tim. He’s a good person, just not an NFL quarterback,” one Broncos player said.
Another Broncos player offered similar thoughts.
“I’ve been following Tim in New York and I feel horrible for him,” the player said. “Everyone here, I think, wants the best for him. He’s a good guy. But you can’t turn Tim into something he’s not, and he’s not really an NFL quarterback. He’s more of a gimmick player.”
The Tebow gimmick hasn’t worked with the Jets, but it’s the Jets, not Tebow, who deserve the criticism for that. In Denver, Tebow engendered enough good will that there’s genuine sympathy for what he’s going through with the Jets. Even if no one in Denver would want him back.