By Mark Ellis
Tim Tebow
As Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Bebow led his team to another improbable come-from-behind win against Chicago, not many realized he wore a microphone throughout the game that recorded a rare glimpse of his unusual faith.
Before the start of the game, he knelt on the sidelines in his trademark pose and uttered this prayer: “Lord, put a wall of protection around me and my teammates today. When we go out there let us honor you with everything we do and say. I love you. In Jesus name, amen.”
As he warmed up on the sidelines, Tebow sang: “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above, with wisdom…”
Throughout the game, Tebow was heard encouraging his teammates to “keep believing” even as they fell behind for the first three quarters with less than stellar play. Tebow was even heard encouraging players on the opposing team. He told Chicago outside linebacker Lance Briggs, “I’ve been looking forward to playing you for a long time…I love watching you brother.”
In the fourth quarter, as the Broncos set their sights on a comeback, receiver Demaryius Thomas dropped a long pass that could have turned the game around. The ball sailed right through his hands, and after the play, he parked himself on the bench, dejected.
Tebow sat down next to Thomas and said, “Guess what, you’re about to catch the game winner here. It’s no big deal (you dropped the ball). It just makes it closer for a little bit longer. You’re about to catch the game winner and then you’ll be the winner of the game.”
Only a few minutes later Tebow’s encouragement proved prophetic. Thomas caught a ball in the end zone to put Denver within three points.
With two minutes left in the game, Denver failed in their attempt at an onside kick to recover possession.Chicago seemed to be in an unassailable position. But Tebow bowed his head as he sat on the sidelines and uttered this prayer: “Dear Jesus, I need you. Please come through for me. No matter what, win or lose Lord, give me the strength to honor you.”
On the next series, Chicagorunning back Marion Barber inexplicably ran out of bonds, which stopped the clock. Commentators were left shaking their heads at his puzzling error. That gave Tebow and his teammates extra time to stage a last-second, game-tying drive.
Tebow yelled at his team: “We’re going to win this. Let’s go,” as they retook the field. The faith-filled quarterback drove his team down the field to get within field goal range.
After kicker Matt Prater crushed a 59-yard field goal to send the game into overtime, Tebow cried out, “Thank you Lord!”
On Chicago’s first opportunity to score in overtime, Marion Barber fumbled the ball – another tragic mistake. Fans and commentators were again stunned by the dramatic turn for Denver. “The chain of events that have happened in the last few minutes have been unbelievable,” one commentator remarked.
Tebow called his mighty men into a huddle for their last series of downs. “Hey, believe here, all right?” he said. Again, he got his team into field goal range.
Tension filled the stadium as Denver’s kicker approached the ball. Tebow lowered his head in prayer, then looked up as the ball shot off Matt Prater’s foot.
Prater hit the 51-yard field goal to win the game in the final moments. Delirious with joy, Tebow and his teammates embraced. “Way to believe baby! You’ve got to believe every day!” he shouted.
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