Tim Tebow Critics Put Their Own Hate On Display

Linda Chavez - Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has been a controversial sports figure ever since he agreed to do an ad for the conservative organization Focus on the Family; the spot aired during the 2010 Super Bowl. Feminists and other groups, who feared the ad would be overtly pro-life and anti-abortion, tried to keep it from running. In the end, the message turned out to be pretty innocuous, and those who tried to censor it looked downright silly.

Now Tebow is once again a target for illiberals who find his evangelical Christianity somehow threatening and offensive. The latest episode involves a recent column for The Jewish Week that bashed Tebow for symbolizing intolerance. But it was the writer, Connecticut Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, who put his own astonishing bigotry on display. Hammerman titled his piece "My Tebow Problem," and indeed it is Hammerman's problem -- not Tebow's.

While claiming to want to root for Tebow, who has pulled off an unprecedented string of amazing consecutive fourth-quarter comebacks for his underdog team this season, Hammerman made the following prediction: "If Tebow wins the Super Bowl, against all odds, it will buoy his faithful, and emboldened faithful can do insane things, like burning mosques, bashing gays and indiscriminately banishing immigrants. While America has become more inclusive since Jerry Falwell's first political forays, a Tebow triumph could set those efforts back considerably."

Really?

And Hammerman's bigotry doesn't stop there. On his own blog, he responds to criticism from those who took offense to his original article, noting that Tebow's "entire life's work is also predicated on saving my soul for Jesus. He's not alone in this. Tebow has been affiliated with the Southern Baptists, who spend millions to convert Jews, often deceptively. I personally don't consider that exemplary behavior. Is it better than raping little boys? Absolutely. But is it admirable? I have issues with anyone determined to save my soul, be that person Christian or Jewish."

So, Southern Baptists want to trick Jews into becoming Christians? And Catholics (or is it priests only?) all want to sexually abuse children?

Apparently even Hammerman finally realized how outrageous these comments were, as he has now removed them from his own website, and The Jewish Week has taken his piece down as well. But erasing the words don't constitute an apology. And I'm not sure Hammerman is capable of understanding what he did wrong, which is the precondition for actual contrition.

Tim Tebow harms no one when he bends a knee to thank Jesus for giving him the athletic gifts that have served him so well. And he's never said anything publicly about saving anyone's soul. So how is it offensive that his piety inspires others -- even his opponents on the field -- to join him in prayer? In an era when other famous athletes are better known for sexting, criminal assault or even murder, it's a mystery why humility and faith would be viewed negatively.

True tolerance means allowing others to believe what they choose and to express those beliefs, so long as they do not interfere with the liberty of others. Tebow does not insist that his teammates join him in prayer, nor does he interfere with those who choose a different religious -- or non-religious -- expression of joy and gratitude.

But illiberals want religion out of the public square altogether. They want to reinterpret the First Amendment to deny religious freedom, not to protect it. They want to force religious people of all faiths to keep their religion in the closet, while at the same time enforcing the open acceptance -- indeed, encouragement -- of behaviors that conflict with traditional religious tenets. The illiberal religious bigots believe putting a creche on public property is unconstitutional; but displaying a crucifix in a in a tax-supported museum is just fine, just so long as it's stuck in a jar of urine.

Tim Tebow is not the problem. The real problem is our willingness to be bullied into thinking that prejudice masked as tolerance is acceptable.

Bills Vs Titians Gameday Preview 2011

Rob Davies - The Tennessee Titans aren’t quite ready to let the Houston Texans walk off with the AFC South crown and of course, with this being professional football, that should never be allowed to happen. However, as obvious as that sounds, my point is this: the Texans are vastly superior to the Titans, but that’s when Matt Schaub is under center in Houston. They now have to choose between T. J. Yates or Jake Delhomme at quarterback while last week the Titans gained momentum after pulling out a victory against a Buccaneers team that’s played hard on the road the last two weeks.

If ever motivation was needed, Tennessee now has it as the Texans had the division all but wrapped up before Schaub was lost for the season. Last week, it could be argued that the Titans had their playoff hopes, and therefore their season, on the line with three minutes to play against Tampa. Facing fourth and goal at the 2 yard line and trailing 17-13 (making a field goal futile), Matt Hasselbeck found Damian Williams in the end zone for the score. They could’ve kicked the field goal and risked an onside kick, but I love the call made by coach Mike Munchak and it’s that one play that may yet have a say in Tennessee’s push for either a wildcard berth or even the division, should Houston really implode at quarterback.

Running back Chris Johnson, one week removed from 13 yards on 12 carries against Atlanta, ran for 190 yards on 23 carries and with stats like that it’s astonishing to think that the Titans had to leave it so late to win. Anyhow, with Johnson proving so erratic, there’s no telling which of his games he’ll bring with him so he’s impossible to trust, even when up against Buffalo’s 21st ranked run defense.

The Bills are on a horrible four game skid and any thoughts they had of the playoffs after their storming 5-2 start, that included wins against the Raiders, Patriots and Eagles, are fast disappearing and they haven’t been helped by poor quarterback play from Ryan Fitzpatrick (since signing a $59 million contract extension) and the loss of running back Fred Jackson for the season with a broken right leg. That said, they regained some pride last week in a humdinger against the Jets in New York, going down 28-24 on a Santonio Holmes touchdown with one minute to play and even then they had a chance to win it with eight seconds to play.

Second year man C. J. Spiller will once again pick up the slack in Jackson’s absence, but he gained only 55 yards on 19 carries last week so won’t inspire confidence, which means that Fitzpatrick may come close to replicating his 39 pass attempts from last Sunday. Having thrown 2 TDs and 7 INTs in his previous three outings, Fitzpatrick threw 3 TDs and zero picks last week and that was up against Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie so, despite the loss, he’ll be raring to go come Sunday.

Perhaps I’m overestimating Buffalo, but I stand wholeheartedly behind my spread and take the Bills to cover.

Buffalo Bills Gameday: New York Jets host Buffalo Bills

Connor Orr -THIS WEEK’S GAME REVOLVES AROUND ...
Santonio Holmes

It’s become apparent that when the Jets are rolling, so is Santonio Holmes. Last season during a four-game winning streak from Week 9 to Week 12, the receiver had one of the best stretches of his career. Five catches for 114 yards against the Detroit Lions, five for 76 and a game-winning touchdown against the Cleveland Browns, seven for 126 and two touchdowns (including the game-winner) against Houston and five for 44 and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. This year, he’s caught more than four passes just twice amid a period where the Jets' offense looks like a shell of itself. In order to get back on the right foot, the Jets need to torch the Bills’ banged-up secondary and make a statement heading into the final turn. And nothing will help that more than getting Holmes — who seems to have the power to ignite and infuriate a locker room all the same — in the end zone.

THE SAVVY FAN IS WATCHING ...
Kamar Aiken

With injuries depleting the Bills receiving corps, Chan Gailey said that the speedy, sure-handed rookie out of Central Florida will see some increased time this week.

PAST MEETINGS

10. Dec. 10, 2006. Bills 31, Jets 13.
9. Sept. 30, 2007 at Buffalo. Bills 17, Jets 14.
8. Oct. 28, 2007. Bills 13, Jets 3.
7. Nov. 2, 2008 at Buffalo. Jets 26, Bills 17.
6. Dec. 14, 2008. Jets 31, Bills 27.
5. Oct. 18, 2009. Bills 16, Jets 13, OT.
4. Dec. 3, 2009 at Buffalo. Jets 19, Bills 13.
3. Oct. 3, 2010 at Buffalo. Jets 38, Bills 14.
2. Jan. 2, 2011. Jets 38, Bills 7.
1. Nov. 6, 2011 at Buffalo. Jets 27, Bills 11

Remember when ...
The Jets seemed to reinvigorate their season with an emphatic 27-11 victory over the Bills three weeks ago? Ask some Jets and they define it as the game that laid out the blueprint to defeat the Bills and contain their trio of playmakers (Steve Johnson, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson). It was also a game that signified, for the moment, that they had fully returned from a troublesome three-game slump earlier in the season. Since then, though, Buffalo and the Jets have both fallen on hard times, slipping into a tie for second place in the AFC East with 5-5 records. The winner now keeps thinning playoff hopes alive for another week.
Video: Previewing the Jets against the Bills, Mark Sanchez, and the need for a win Video: Previewing the Jets against the Bills, Mark Sanchez, and the need for a win New York Jets beat writer Jenny Vrentas and Conor Orr preview the Jets game against the Bills on Sunday. The pair talk about Mark Sanchez, Plaxico Burress, and the need for the team to win games. (Video by Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger) Watch video

WHAT THE BILLS DON’T WANT THE JETS TO KNOW

1. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a different man now that he’s signed that hefty contract
Before the Bills signed their quarterback Fitzpatrick to a lofty six-year, $59 million deal worth $24 million in guaranteed money, he was 4-2 with a 66 percent completion rate, a 2-to-1 TD to INT ratio and a 95 QB rating. After, he’s 1-3 with a 59 percent completion rate, a 1-to-2 TD to INT ratio and a QB rating of 65.1. Again facing the Jets secondary that bullied him for four quarters, this is certainly a bad time to be reeling in the confidence department. This is especially true since the Bills could technically cut him before the seventh day of the 2012 league year and pay him nothing but his base salary — a little more than $3 million — according to ProFootballTalk.com.

2. They’re hurting at some key positions
The sting of a 35-8 thumping at the hands of the 3-7 Dolphins was made worse for the Bills when it became apparent that running back Fred Jackson (calf), cornerback Terrence McGee (knee) and No. 2 wide receiver Donald Jones, who reaggravated an ankle injury, all sustained significant, season-threatening injuries. Buffalo was a team that made a few moves to touch up their ailing roster in the offseason, but did not foresee this. Without a strong presence at cornerback, their aggressive defense needs to play a little softer. Without another deep threat, their spread offense loses the confusion it normally causes.

3. They’re more prone to turning the ball over
Maybe it’s that more good teams appear on their schedule. Maybe their confidence has taken a nose dive. Maybe teams have finally figured out the Bills' offense. Whatever the reason, their turnovers have skyrocketed over this three-game losing streak, topping out at nine. That is the same number of turnovers as they had in the first seven games of the season and an enormous reason why the team has run into some hard times. Oh, and the Jets, despite their struggles, have been surprisingly opportunistic this season, tied for ninth in the league with 13 interceptions.

UCLA: Rick Neuheisl Will Be Fired

UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel is set to be fired even if the team makes the Rose Bowl, the Los Angeles Times reported late Saturday, citing sources.

Bruins athletic director Dan Guerrero will sit down with Neuheisel after their season is over — which could be as soon as next Friday, when UCLA plays Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game as a heavy underdog.

The only reason UCLA, which was thumped 50-0 by USC on Saturday, is the South Division representative in the title game is because the Trojans are banned from postseason play.

Before the Bruins' lopsided loss to their crosstown rivals, a source told the Times that UCLA would have to win the Pac-12 title for Neuheisel to have any chance of his retaining his job.

Neuheisel has a 21-28 record in four seasons at the helm, including 3-25 against teams that finished with a winning record.

Buffalo Bills Injury List Grows Wilson, Roosvelt out Against Jets

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills starting safety George Wilson will miss Sunday’s game against the New York Jets because of a neck injury.

It’s the second straight game Wilson won’t play after sustaining his injury in Buffalo’s loss at Dallas on Nov. 13. He leads the team with four interceptions/

The Bills (5-5) will also be without receiver Naaman Roosevelt, who has a shoulder injury.

Newly acquired running back Tashard Choice practiced both Thursday and Friday, and could be active Sunday against the Jets (5-5). He was signed on Wednesday after the Bills put running back Fred Jackson on injured reserve with a broken right leg.

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