NYT's Araton Says 'Sideshow' Tim Tebow Shouldn't Have Met Brain-Damaged QB After Loss
New York Times sports columnist Harvey Araton issued a snotty broadside (“Curtain Closes on Tebow’s Season, but His Sideshow Goes On") against Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, whose religious displays, unconventional style, and clutch performances have divided fans and popular culture. Araton went beyond admitting discomfort at Tebow’s overt religiosity to begrudge the quarterback for a good deed -- spending time with a brain-damaged visitor after the Broncos’ playoff loss to the New England Patriots.
A look into Araton’s history reveals his anti-Tebow rant as liberal hypocrisy. Araton took the opposite view in an April 2009 column, marking NFL television commentator John Madden’s retirement by excoriating the Hall of Fame coach for failing to speak out on issues beside football. But for Araton, speaking out means speaking out on liberal views, like Bob Costas, who he praised. In a May 2006 column Araton faulted the Duke women's lacrosse team for speaking out in defense of male colleagues being falsely accused of rape, even suggesting college officials should intervene to stop them.
From Araton’s Monday column:
Our story begins with the end, with Tim Tebow walking from the interview room into the off-season via a chilly corridor of Gillette Stadium, where 20-year-old Zachary McLeod was waiting with his family. Tebow, the southpaw quarterback with the scruffy beard and smiling eyes, was about to execute the postgame plan a whole lot better than he and the Denver Broncos had performed outside on the field against Tom Brady and New England.
Back in the interview room, Tebow had mentioned McLeod, of Cambridge, Mass., who four years ago sustained a traumatic brain injury in a high school football game that left him mentally disabled, unable to return to school or ever live on his own.
He spoke of spending time with McLeod before Saturday’s game in what has become part of the weekly routine for Tebow wherever he has traveled as part of his foundation’s Wish 15 program.
“Over all, it wasn’t a bad day,” he’d said after a 45-10 playoff drubbing by the Patriots. “It depends on what lens you look through.”
Tebow, as usual, was looking through the light of a devoutly religious life. In the corridor, he hugged the young man, whose parents, Pat and Tammy, called themselves devout Christians and said their son had been to South Africa on a mission months before his injury.
In football terms, this was a cheap shot:
Soon they were all praying together, while a protective cocoon of Tebow’s people formed around the pair, becoming huffy when a couple of reporters stopped to observe.
“Private family time,” one said, which was strange, because the scene was a hard-to-miss public spectacle, like so much of the Tebowing phenomenon, and it lasted considerably longer than any Denver drive.
Araton was in full smug condescension mode, deigning to give the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback adviceon both religious practice and athletic leadership.
He comes off as exceedingly earnest and sincere, though his religious invocations can have the same repetitive effect of those uttered during a Miss America pageant. Being uncomfortable with them doesn’t make one a hater or a heathen, just one of many who wonder if there is an appropriate time and place and if the football environment doesn’t always have to be one of them. Maybe as part of the growth process, Tebow will figure that out.
As he always does, he thanked his teammates for their support and effort immediately after praising God. But one was left to surmise that he, the Broncos’ purported leader, should have been with them late Saturday night instead of in the corridor tending to his personal business, no matter how giving it was.
- Clay Waters's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
You know what to do...
Submitted by BBallleaper on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 4:13pm.
Save humanity from Societal Entropy like this. You know what must be done.
That is snotty. Sports
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 4:16pm.
That is snotty. Sports reporters are always questioning the "priorities" of athletes, often making mountains out of molehills.
I do wonder, though, why the Tebow's handlers were declaring something in a hallway where everyone could see it as "private family time". If the handlers want it to be private, move somewhere private.
right bal,
Submitted by Agnostic on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 4:33pm.
They should force that brain injured kid somewhere private so the reporters can have their time when they want it and where they want it.
Or better yet - make him bowl Obama - winner gets to wait in the tunnel.
Selfish kid.
I'm just saying it's awkward
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:04pm.
I'm just saying it's awkward to claim something is a private moment when it's happening out in the open, especially when it involves a professional athlete and occurs out in the hallway of the building where you just played the game. If it's a private moment, have it in private. That's all.
~Not everything is planned
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:11pm.
It's not like someone said, "Hey, when you meet with them, let's have a prayer in the hallway". It was most likely a spontaneous moment that staff instinctively shielded from a rude, boorish, inconsiderate creep trolling for a story.
Following up on what Bru said
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:13pm.
it's also impolite to interrupt someone in prayer; wouldn't you agree?
~I cannot imagine
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:20pm.
how crass one would have to be to even consider doing anything other than an aboutface upon stumbling across a moment like that. Who has to be TOLD to respect a private moment of prayer?!
The reporter said some
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 7:18pm.
The reporter said some "stopped to observe." Doesnt sound like interrupting.
balboa*
Submitted by cajun2 on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 8:37pm.
I have no doubt that if Godzilla again attacked Japan, you would ask,....."what did those people do to make him so angry?"
Adolescent oppositional disorder...drsam can explain it to you
Not every bad habit or personality trait is a disorder.
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 9:27pm.
cajun, I don't buy that "oppositional disorder." Most people of my age just call it being a brat.
right MB*
Submitted by cajun2 on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 9:31pm.
Mother knows best...;-)
Hilarious. I'm not the one
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:31pm.
Hilarious. I'm not the one inferring things based on bias.
Balboa, doesn't 'sound' like?
Submitted by acaiguana on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 8:48pm.
Listen up kid.
It wasn't a sound. It was a gaggle of reporters who decided to make a spectacle of an event they were not invited to ogle.
Ogle, context is everything.
Reporters. Context is everything.
Balboa; apologist for rude behavior.
Bal, go back and read another book on How to win Friends,,,,, etc.
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana notes from the Underground' (Soon to be at theaters near you)
And you know this because...?
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:32pm.
And you know this because...?
Yeah, just like obama's
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 1:28am.
Yeah, just like obama's televisied family moments. Much better if they just institutionalized the kid or better yet eliminate him completely so he isn't a burden to obama's healthcare system.
private v.s. public
Submitted by DRM 23 on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 1:03pm.
and if it's transparent, it should not be done behind closed doors!!!
What if?
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 1:58pm.
What if the doors are made of glass?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
What's to wonder, Bal?
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 2:01pm.
What is it that's got you wondering, Bal? Is it that his "handlers" made a public statement in a public hallway, or that Tim met privately with a patient, a fellow sportsman, no less, in a private room?
His "handlers" were telling people why they couldn't "observe" this private moment between two fellow sportsmen, and they were right to do so. What's so confusing about that?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Because they were in a
Submitted by balboa on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 5:13pm.
Because they were in a hallway.
absolutely right bal,
Submitted by Agnostic on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 8:20am.
They did it all wrong. You can't have a private moment in public without arugula. The selfish kid and the self-promoting Tebow should have got a room or something. Regardless we know that no reporter should have to be delayed or inconvenience for the likes of a mere child. Don't they know journalist are our betters.
Harvey Araton, past QB great
Submitted by kevtheweb on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 4:24pm.
Always good to hear another past "QB/sports great" telling us how an actual QB and past NCAA national champion is supposed to act. Oh wait, this guy is just a sports "writer". I find what Tebow does each game by inviting guests to be truley inspirational.
Sorry that the small group of reporters were so bothered by seeing this go down. Its not like he's doing this infront of a televised audience. The only reason we keep hearing about this stuff everyday is because you media types keep reporting on it.
I am so sick of hearing about Tim Tebow...
Submitted by bigdaddy on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 4:56pm.
...I'd much rather hear stories about rapists (Ben Rothlisberger), dog killers (Mikey Vick), or wife beaters (Warren Moon)...
Iclude Plexico burris who
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 5:27pm.
Include Plexico Burris who shoot himself in the leg with an illegal gun.
Alleged
Submitted by MrLuigi on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:40pm.
Roethlisberger was never charged with a crime much less convicted of one.
To be fair to Big Ben ...
Submitted by Tom Blumer on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 12:16pm.
... he appears to have totally turned his life around. In fact, it was the back story to the Denver-Pittsburgh game, that no matter who won, a good-guy quarterback would triumph.
we can begin with Big Daddy
Submitted by jkwtrading on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 9:53pm.
we can begin with Big Daddy Don Lipscomb or Sonny Liston...both dead from heroin. from those two the list is too long to keep track.
As George Plimpton would say . . .
Submitted by CO2Maker on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 5:00pm.
Harvey, STFU.
You want to criticize a good man and professional athlete? Get out of the comfort of your television easy chair and go all George Plimpton on us, practicing with an NFL club (like GP and the Lions and later the Colts) or sparring a few rounds with a professional boxer (as GP did with Archie Moore or Sugar Ray Robinson) or NHL hockey (GP and the Bruins).
was the name of Plimptons'
Submitted by jkwtrading on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 9:48pm.
was the name of Plimptons' book the paper tiger?
This guy is an idiot
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 5:01pm.
Tim Tebow has been doing this kind of thing forever (he started a group in college, with other Gators, to meet with disabled kids in a sort of Make-A-Wish for UF).
Here's one that I bookmarked years ago. Try to read it without a tissue, I dare anyone.
So what exactly is the problem? That Tim didn't go out drinking with his teammates and get into a fight? That would be a public spectacle. Praying in a hallway, not so much.
Haters are going to hate. Idiots.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Come on, B, you know it's all
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 5:43pm.
Come on, B, you know it's all an act on Timmy's part. He's just making sure he "comes off" as earnest and sincere.
Done and done.
Submitted by Kaleidoscopic God on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 2:11pm.
Read that thing without a tissue, didn't feel a darn thing.
ANOTHER SNIFFLING TIMES REPORTER HAS MAN-ISSUES
Submitted by Sgthulka on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 5:01pm.
What is it about the NYT and drains testosterone from its male reporter/commentators?
These guys all suffer from man-crushes. Harvey is merely the latest to publicly voice it.
Araton has been a loser lib for years!
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 5:18pm.
and IS a has-been, just like the rest of his "paper"! If you think their coverage of politics and news is lousy, check out their idea of a sports section-hes just one of the pompous blowhards who "pontificate" with daily opinion sections-they dont cover sports games, just their ideas and liberal solutions!
These jock-sniffers only like to sniff certain jocks.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:01pm.
They're starting to make Olbermann look sane.
BTW, has that little pr*ck Lupica chimed in lately?
Speaking of jock sniffers, ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 8:55pm.
... what is it about Bob Costas that makes him a "sports figure?" He's just another no-talent jock sniffing yapper who couldn't compete in ANY sport at ANY level the best I can tell, so he jabbers about it.
Kind of like Prissy Chrissy who just can't talk enough about military men and keep wishing that he had had the "opportunity" to serve like they did (my idea of a military jock sniffer).
Hey Prissy. All you had to do was join instead of going off to "peace" in the Peace Corpse.
Bubba: "Equipment Manager" for his HS football team.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 9:00pm.
And AV Club President.
Of course, that's just a wild guess ;)
or the GLEE club..
Submitted by jkwtrading on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 9:47pm.
or the GLEE club..
Costas
Submitted by Unsane on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 11:53pm.
Bob Costas...can't stand him. I mute the TV when he starts pontificating at halftime on Sunday Night Football.
He is THE reason I was bent when NBC announced they won the rights from the IOC to carry the Olympics until 2022.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Speaking of Keith the Sports Boy
Submitted by CO2Maker on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:23pm.
He dropped of the national media radar like a rock in a bathtub.
~Nothing Tebow does
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:03pm.
will ever be right in the eyes of tools like this. If he'd pulled the kid into a room the guy would have called him secretive and implied Tebow was ashamed to be seen with a *insert liberal insult for a brain-damaged individual here*.
Interesting video
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:07pm.
from Piers Morgan on CNN - not about Tebow, but it does address the seemingly devout faith of another well-known celebrity. One must assume his campaigns to help people are equally disingenuous.
The Difference Is
Submitted by stratman on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:49pm.
Morgan believes MW would leap across that table and beat the ever-living snot out of him if he tried to pull his sanctimonious schtick. That restrains his snark. On the other hand, Morgan feels secure he can insult and taunt Conservatives free of reprise, which, so far, has been correct. Unfortunately.
If Tim Tebow were to help an old lady cross a street,...
Submitted by Dave. on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:13pm.
...rescue a kitten from a tree, or save a child from a burning house, you can be sure one or more of the Christian-hating bigots in the media will find fault with it.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
What an a**h**e!!! These
Submitted by Optionyout on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 9:05pm.
What an a**h**e!!! These libs are so low and mean. Like they were all the left out ones on the playground and now they have a voice to their obnoxious thoughts. They honestly believe they are smarter and better and that they are saner. They are weak group thinkers.
none of these current a
Submitted by jkwtrading on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:25pm.
none of these current sportswriters can tell good stories
Johnny Morris whom played flanker and wide receiver for the Bears used to recite George Halas stories on his nightly broadcasts for NBC in Chicago.. 2 stories come to mind. alley oop Johnson had just caught a touchdown pass against the Bears and J.C Caroline (later hall of fame) Halas was furious and screaming, ran across field and screamed at Caroline from goal line to sidelines, where upon reaching sidelines Caroline told Halas, George pay me the same money Alley Oop gets and I'll block the son of bitchin pass.
second one was Dough Atkins (also future hall of famer) had not been to a Bears practice in 5 days as summer camp opened. Halas was furious so he sent water boy in to get Atkins.. water boy returned and said Atkins will be out.. an hour later, Atkins appeared ran around the entire track and went back to dormitory..Halas is fuming again and again sends water boy.. water boy returns to a screaming Halas asking where the hell is he? answer. Mr. Halas he was trying his helmet on.
now that's when sports were sports.
One saving grace
Submitted by CO2Maker on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:37pm.
Don't compare him to Costas and Olbermann. Costas is okay, even Dickie V, and Olbermann vanished into the fog of cultural amnesia known as Current TV.
But he isn't Brent Wussburger, a totally annoying jerk. Wussburger is the most pretentious and self-important sports reporter on television. His only redeeming quality is that he's sanctimonious.
I see your Musberger and
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:51pm.
I see your Musberger and raise you a Digger Phelps.
Nah, doesn't work
Submitted by CO2Maker on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 11:04pm.
Phelps is hard to stomach, but at least he was actually involved in the game. He played b-ball in college and was ND's head coach for 20 years. Wussburger just sat in the booth with his million-dollar salary and pontificated about sports.
True, but he's still really
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 11:08pm.
True, but he's still really annoying.
I miss Keith Jackson.
Keith Jackson
Submitted by Dukehoopsfan on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:43am.
Whoa Nelly!
Hay, Araton...
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 1:44pm.
Hay, Araton, despite your wishes, Tebow will NOT go gentle into that good night. He's going to rage, rage, against the dying of the Christian Light.
Learn to deal with it, will ya?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.