On Tim Tebow's First Win

Joe Crispin:

I have long been a fan of Tim Tebow. From all accounts, he is a solid guy who wants to honor the Lord and play good football. And boy, was he fun to watch in college. I saw this morning that yesterday, he enjoyed his first win as a professional quarterback with the Denver Broncos. I can’t help but be happy for him. 

The fact that he has actually gotten a chance to play and that he has done better than most anticipated reminds me of a conviction I have long held: most coaches and player personnel folks almost always underestimate character and drive. 

I plan on coaching college basketball one day. One of the things I never want to forget is that talent is virtually always overrated. For there are a lot of talented guys out there, but there are few who are good characters themselves and who are really driven to become the best they can be. And it is those who have that special drive that end up becoming the best. 

No doubt, you need natural ability. But if that is all you have, you don’t have much. Or at least, what you have won’t last very long. Personally, I would take a player less naturally gifted, but who is driven to become the best he can be over any player who is more naturally gifted, but obviously just cruising around with those natural gifts. The one has vision. The other is on cruise control. The one can improve to heights yet unseen, because he is jealous to get there, while the other often thinks he has already arrived. 

Now I know that this isn’t always easy to apply on the recruiting trail or in pre-draft interviews, but the fact that so few people were willing to give Tebow a legitimate shot shows how few football minds adequately estimate the character and drive factors. After all, he is by no means an athletic slouch. That being said, I know that it is not only football minds that are guilty of this underestimation. It is everywhere in sports and everywhere in life. 

Natural ability is good. When I enter the coaching ranks, I will no doubt keep my eye out for it. But less ability with good character, deep drive, and diligent work seem to combine so much better. Maybe someday I’ll get to put my conviction to the test, but until then, I can at least say that I think the sports world would be a better place if we put proper emphasis on character and drive.