Should Tim Tebow run for Congress? Despite having zero experience in politics, Tebow is getting a ringing endorsement to do just that from the website Red Alert Politics, which sounds more like a warning that bad politics are coming than a website.
With his NFL career over, should Tebow consider seeking office in Jacksonville? Let’s analyze the argument and see if it makes sense. (Spoiler alert: It doesn’t.)
Jacksonville-area Republican Congressman Ander Crenshaw (FL-4) announced this week that he will not seek reelection this fall, setting off speculation about who should run for his seat. Talks have circled around a sheriff, a state senator, and a mayor — but politicos have left off the best choice in this district: Tim Tebow.
Wait, that Tim Tebow?
Yes, that Tim Tebow.
Oh, okay. The one that went to Florida and won a playoff game with the Broncos and did some TV for ESPN and couldn’t make the Eagles and seems to be genuinely interested in helping children around the world in the name of Our Lord through the Tim Tebow Foundation. He seems to have zero experience in politics and his bachelor’s degree is in Family, Youth and Community Sciences…whatever the hell that is.
I’m going to go ahead and say Congress, much like the NFL, is far too big a leap for Tebow. But I will listen to more arguments, because why not.
The former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner is a perfect fit for Florida’s heavily Republican fourth district. Not only is this district his home, he is uniquely qualified to be a Florida congressman. If you think we’re joking, we’re not.
To be clear, I think you’re serious, which is what makes this so funny. Tebow’s number one quality for representing Florida’s fourth district is the fact he was born in Florida’s fourth district. Based on this logic, Tebow should have been born inside an NFL stadium because that would have made him qualified to play in the NFL.
In an elected body with 435 members, it’s almost impossible not to get lost in the crowd and have minimal impact. Tebow would never be lost in the crowd, and this would give him an opportunity to lead on issues he is already leading on in his life: fighting poverty, defending homeschoolers, and making traditional values cool again.
There’s no explanation as to why he wouldn’t get lost in the crowd. Congress isn’t a football field; he can’t get his ideas turned into law by running a read option against 19-year-olds. That’s not how it works. Congress has a long history of former athletes having a seat and they are just as susceptible of getting “lost in the crowd” as anyone else.
Then there’s those sweet code words politicians love: “traditional values.”
When a Republican says “traditional values” that means one or more of denying women their reproductive rights, preventing LGBT people from having any rights, enacting voting laws that are thinly veiled racist devices that prevent black people from going to the polls or rounding up Muslims because terrorism says so. Tebow has done a lot of great work overseas so I don’t think all those apply to him but even if one does he can get lost.
At age 28, he would be the youngest member of Congress, yet he has arguably done more to help children than any current congressperson. Not only has he been a hero and a model of character for millions, he has also used the money he made through football to start the Tim Tebow Foundation, and his foundation is making a real impact, especially in Florida.
The Tim Tebow Foundation provides assistance to children battling terminal illness, gives monetary aid to parents who decide to adopt children in need, and hosts more than 200 prom events for special needs children. He also partnered with The CURE to open a hospital in the Philippines.
All that is great. The argument that his charity has done more than any other congressperson seems ludicrous but Tebow does very nice things for people, which makes me wonder about that “traditional values” thing earlier. Does this site know something we don’t?
If Tebow wants to continue making a difference outside of football, Congress is the next step. Let’s be honest: whether or not he deserves it, his days in the NFL are likely finished because no team gave him a real chance.
He deserves it. He completed 47.9 percent of his passes with the Broncos and Jets. He got a full season with the Broncos in 2011 and completed just 46.5 percent of his passes. He has one of the worst throwing motions and arms in recent NFL history. He can run, sure, but he is very bad at throwing footballs at the highest level of the sport.
Tebow had a chance to make the Patriots and was cut; the Eagles worked him out last year and passed (get it?) on him. He’s had way more opportunities than he deserved. He stinks. You’re endorsing him for Congress; there’s no need to kiss his butt about his NFL days.
Instead of riding on former fame and sports accomplishments, Tebow can continue to expand his impact on the country and the world. The question is: Is Tebow willing to run?
Yes, because, as previously stated, he can’t throw.
If there is any chance Tebow could run, Republicans and the NRCC should actively recruit him and welcome him into the Party. While some might think Tebow could be ‘the next Rick Santorum,’ focusing mostly on social issues, Tebow would bring much more than that.
Here’s the thing: If he is the next Rick Santorum, he could bring a billion dollars in gold bars, a unicorn and a cure for baldness and it doesn’t matter because he is the next Rick Santorum, a deplorable human being.
But fine, what else is Read Option Rick Santorum bringing?
He would bring a focus on fighting for the less fortunate and using creative solutions to eradicate poverty.
Unless those poor people are gay or black or Muslim or … hey, you said he’s the next Rick Santorum on social issues.
He would also bring millennial appeal — and the right kind of millennial appeal.
Yeah, he’ll appeal to the cool millennials, not the ones you hate. Or whatever that sentence means. NO SELFIE STICKS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN JACKSONVILLE.
Tebow’s non-political accomplishments allow him to say things politicians couldn’t about culture and character.
Not sure how a Heisman Trophy allows one to say things non-Heisman winners can’t, but this insane endorsement just won’t quit.
His age is also a strength. His time to lead doesn’t need to wait until he is ‘old enough.’ Part of his appeal in Congress would be his ability to lead young Americans — a demographic often ignored in Washington.
The same endorsement belittles the wrong kind of millennials then says we need to stop ignoring young people. Also, Barack Obama was 46-years-old when the youth vote pushed him into the White House eight years ago. If you tell millennials you’re running on “traditional values” you may as well be an 88-year-old white man.
It’s time to draft Tim Tebow for Congress.
But not in the first round. And not as a quarterback. Or a Congressman, for that matter.
