Tim Tebow credits faith, family for success in memoir

Tim Tebow is considered one of the best college quarterbacks who has come along in quite a while.

While playing for the University of Florida, Tebow was awarded the Heisman trophy as a sophomore — a feat never accomplished by such a young player. Tebow also has the honor of being the first home-schooled student to win that coveted honor. He is now a member of the Denver Broncos football team, having been selected in a highly watched first round draft pick in 2010.

But what else does a 23-year-old man in the beginning of his adult years, admittedly a very successful beginning, have to share about his life? In Tebow’s case, quite a lot it seems, and in his memoir, “Tim Tebow: Through My Eyes,” he gives readers a glimpse into his incredible life so far.

Born to missionary parents who were based in the Philippines, Tebow nearly didn’t make it to his own birthday party. Tebow’s mother, Pam, had severe problems with her pregnancy and had been advised by her local doctor that her best course of action would be to have an abortion. She and her husband, Richard, decided that was not in their plans and flew with their family to Manila to consult with another doctor, who successfully treated her medical condition and delivered her fifth child, Tim. This event had a huge impact on the Tebow family, and is reflected in the deep Christian beliefs that are shared throughout Tebow’s story.

Returning to the United States while still a toddler, Tebow and his brothers were highly active in local football, in spite of the fact that they were home-schooled by their mom. Tebow describes the push his family made to secure the boys’ ability to play with local school teams, to the point of even changing Florida educational policy that has resulted in other home-schooled children being able to take part in sports programs more easily.

Tebow describes how he rose up through his high-school years to become a sought after player, despite many roadblocks from coaches telling him he wasn’t cut out to be a football star. Tebow and his family relied strongly on their faith to get them through the trying times, and this memoir documents his perseverance and dedication to reaching his goals.

Tebow shares throughout the book how the influence of his parents and his family’s strong church connection have powerfully influenced his life. It is interesting to read his testimony and see that he does truly walk his talk, as demonstrated through his own commitment to missionary work.

Though he is still very young, it will be interesting to follow Tim Tebow’s career as he matures into possibly one of the top football players of our time.