LeBron James and Tim Tebow are two of the best athletes in the world. They’re both sponsored by Nike and they’re immensely popular. James is criticized for “choking” in the playoffs and for being too self-indulgent. Tebow is criticized for being a Jesus freak. Collectively they receive more attention than most athletes, and most of is negative.
Understanding what it’s like to be picked apart, LeBron took to twitter to defend Tebow against criticism he received from ESPN NFL analyst Merril Hoge Wednesday.
“Tim Tebow will succeed in the NFL. He’s a hard worker, a student of the game, a natural born leader and most of all a WINNER! It takes time and he’ll be nice,” James wrote on twitter.
“Listened to Merril Hoge today on SportsCenter and he was just blasting Tebow. The man hasn’t even played a full season and it’s only his 2nd year in. Guys get on that TV and act like they was all WORLD when they played. How bout encouraging him and wishing him the best instead of hating!!”
If LeBron thinks TV was invented for personalities to wish the best, he must be in Fantasy Land, right between Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. America operates under Schadenfreude and he should know that.
If you’re wondering what prompted the King James defense, Hoge went after Tebow pretty hard on TV. The former running back also decided to use twitter for the first time in two weeks to blast America’s Jesus in cleats.
“Sitting watching tape off Bronco offense from last year! Orton or Tebow? It’s embarrassing to think the Broncos could win with tebow!!” Hoge wrote. He continued his criticism. “Orton or Tebow? QB play is not just about who works hard gives rare rare college speeches or who is a good guy!! Because Orton works hard and is a good guy as well.
“It’s about who can play!! I just watched Tebow throw 5 out routes to a wide open WR! He was 1 for 5! 2 went in Dirt 2 in the stands! That throwing motion he changed? U can’t change who u r! Just watched 2 throws and he throws like he did in college!! College credentials do not transfer to NFL raw raw speeches do not work! You must poses a skill set to play! Tebow struggle with accuracy!”
Tebow for responded as elegantly and calmly as only he can. “Hey Merril…… ‘ppreciate that,” Tebow replied. Betting against Tebow is a risky proposition. Thanks to guys like Hoge, he has more motivation to prove the critics wrong.
