He Can Do Anything, Can’t He?

Posted Dec 6, 2008 by Tom McEwen

Updated Dec 7, 2008 at 11:59 AM

There must be something, some quality, some habit of Tim Tebow, with which some of us can find fault. We know he’s whistle-clean with his habits, and life in general, that he’s a fine student, peerless and a different kind of top-notch quarterback about to win another Heisman Trophy (I voted for him) and who Florida Gators everywhere appreciate and admire as they have/do Steve Spurrier.

Then yesterday he gave the Gators, and the State of Florida more prideful bragging rights with his personal total, completely merciless dissection of until-then undefeated Alabama in the Southeastern Conference title game in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The whipping of the Crimson Tide of which Coach Nick Saban, not an immodest man, in the end of a virtually even game, was total. Oh, it was surely close, the lead changed hands four times but in the end, the Gators won 31-20 despite not having the always dangerous, Percy Havin, suited up. He had a bum ankle. Our Gator expert, Mick Elliott, publicly picked Florida-and by that winning score-in Saturday’s Tribune.

When he took the field for the game, Tebow, looked heavenward, surely seeking guidance, as he often does, for he and his parents are passionate about their missionary work in the Philippine barrios. Bet is he looked heavenward after the smashmouth wallop of the Alabamians, and spoke thankfully for His help in leading the Gators who appreciate him so.

And surely moreso now after his three touchdown passes and bruising football play in the win on their behalf. I do know Tebow after being asked a few post-game questions by a reporter, told her, “God Bess you,’’ as he likely did the Tide players he knocked about so, within the rules of the game.  One defensive back seemed to take the brunt of a particularly brutish run by Tebow. I mean, Tebow is 6-3, 240, in pink, and at full speed is an absolute moose. Vern Lunqusist, the fine television commentator likens him to the once great Bronco Nagurski, who runs fast and at you.

In this crucial victory that the Gators can savor forever, for golly, it was over Alabama, which was unbeaten, it was for “another” SEC title (remember when there were none?).

Tebow was perfection in pads. He threw accurately long passes longer and more accurately than we were led to believe. He threw hard short ones. He threw soft short ones. He threw slants, he threw deep sidelines. Yes, he threaded a needle or two. He threw down the sidelines to receivers in stride. He threw inches off the turf, leaving only inches for receivers to slip their fingers. He threw high for the leapers, into the bellies of those surrounded. He faked and kept the ball and had big gainers. He jammed the middle for first downs. He handed off, he faked, he faked and then handed off. He ran the team, and it followed.

The Gators like Tebow. He cherishes them, as do the fans, imagine, especially after these recent wins. He inspires his teammates, works the crowd.

The result Saturday was wonderful for these Gators of such long suffering and tragic for the Alabamians. Their perfect record had returned them to the Bear Bryant days. The loss ended that rapture, but will give great new material for the word the late Manny Garcia began reading to long gone Gators of the long gone losing years of yesterday.

I wrote recently that the late Garcia, a distinguished and oratorically marvelous member of our Florida bar promised to drive to Myrtle Hill Cemetery on Sundays after great Florida wins, which were so uncommon for so long, and read over their resting places newspaper stories of the newest Gator triumphs. He did that and his followers after that.

Well, in another time I would be encouraging others to take the Garcia messaging to those waiting there. I can assure you such a charge would be undertaken by the Tebow missions. But, somehow someone of the Gator connection has found a better way to get word regularly to them.

If they haven’t, young Tim will. He can do anything, can’t he?