Sunday, November 10, 2013

FREE TIM TEBOW NOW An open letter to Shahid Khan Owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars football team Dear Mr. Khan: The reason for this letter is to persuade you to sign Tim Tebow to the Jacksonville Jaguars as the starting quarterback. To date you have shied away from this decision delegating this responsibility to your general manager, David Caldwell. Normally this would be the appropriate management paradigm but signing Tim Tebow is not your normal management decision. Indeed, the fate of Tim Tebow has been quite the conundrum to date. For many including Mr. Caldwell, it is like looking into the sun. All that media attention and his throwing motion – it’s just too much! Tim does attract a vocal following – that’s what happens when you bring a true star on board. Yet, that dedicated fan base is the reason way your venerable Jaguars need him. First and foremost Tim Tebow is a winner. Just look at his the track record of this free agent. A Heisman Trophy winner as a sophomore and a two time member of the BCS National Champion University of Florida Gators – he is now the proverbial solitary lion on the Serengeti, trying to find a pride worthy of his talents. At a time when our country is choking on a corrupt social and political culture dominated by money and greed rather than character we need athletes of true character and grit to lead us. In the opinion of many, Tim Tebow is that athlete both on and off the field. Here is a quick review of his athletic accomplishments. He guided the Nease H.S. Panthers to a Florida state title his senior year while winning the title of Florida High School Player of the Year for 2004 and 2005. As a college sophomore, Tim Tebow won the 2007 Heisman Trophy while collecting the title of NCAA quarterback of the year. In 2006 and 2008 he guided the Florida Gators to the BCS Championship. He also set an NFL Draft record for jersey sales. As a successful business man you’ll have to admit that Tim gets the job done. More importantly is the issue of Tim Tebow as a person. Tim is the namesake of the Tim Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao City, the Philippines, where poor children receive free orthopedic surgery. The Tim Tebow Foundation also called the W15H (Wish 15) organization brings hope and joy to children with life-threatening illnesses. Tim Tebow meets with the families personally creating a day to remember for these children. As an NFL starting quarterback Tebow brought the hapless Denver Broncos to the playoffs in 2012 beating the favored Pittsburgh Steelers. John Elway (Executive VP of Football Operations) decided to nab an available Peyton Manning, who was just ending a convalescence, thus cutting Tebow loose. This is not a slight to a new quarterback. Mr. Khan, when Michelangelo carved his masterpiece David in 1504, he would tell people he only released David since the statue was always there in the block of marble…“In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it.” Like David, Tim Tebow is currently embedded in a block of 21st century sports politics – a team only needs “to hew away the rough walls that imprison the…apparition.” Mr. Khan, signing Tim Tebow is the right decision for many reasons: He’ll make the Jaguars money, a lot of money. Tim Tebow will bring a sense of excitement to your organization that will make every player on your roster play their best football. Your website cites you as “(w)idely recognized for (your) vision, acumen and leadership. You of all people should recognize Tim’s track record of winning and his ability to bring that special skill, the intangible of raw leadership delivered with infectious joy. I am asking that you step forward and “…hew away the rough walls that imprison…” Tim Tebow from his current granite block – set Tim Tebow free! Consider the exhilaration of Tim Tebow week, meeting the Jacksonville press, and of course the Jacksonville Roar. On game day the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra could be positioned on the fifty yard line ready to perform Gioachino Rossini’s 1829 William Tell Overture Finale - EverBank Field filled to capacity of 82, 000 fans would witness their own Lone Ranger coming to the rescue. Hi Ho Silver, Away! (Word Total: 739) _____________________________________ Geoffrey G. Fisher is a federally designated Highly Qualified state-certified history teacher living in southwest Florida. He holds a BA in History from the University of Connecticut and a MA in Public Policy from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. In addition to teaching he is a former elected official and speechwriter. Mr. Fisher now writes the political blog: THE THINKING CAP at www.theamericanthinkingcap.blogspot.com and is a weekly columnist at the Patriotupdate.com magazine.