The Denver Broncos came up short and did not make it to Super Bowl XLVI. However, the Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow became a national phenomenon over the course of one NFL football season. His flamboyant approach to his Christian beliefs became the brunt of many media and television jokes (memorable spoofs were Jimmy Fallon’s “Tebowie” and the Saturday Night Live cast’s constant digs) as well as the creation of a verb. According to UrbanDictionary.com, “tebowing” (vb) is To get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.
Looking back over the year, Tebow had his strong defenders as well. Lillian Axe guitarist and songwriter Steve Blaze — a Christian himself — is one of them.
“First of all, they all pray before games if you haven’t noticed,” says Blaze. “And who are you praying too? If you don’t believe there’s a higher power, it’s kind of a fad thing. Anybody who’s agnostic or atheist, there’s going to come a time in their life when it’s going to hit them right in the face, I guarantee there’s gonna come a time when they are gonna be praying somewhat. And I think that’s a beautiful thing because that’s how God makes Himself known to you. When you ask for it, He’s there. Period. Don’t ask for Him — He’s there, He’ll watch for you but He’s not gonna make himself known to you the same way if you pray.
“All those guys pray before games. If you think there’s not one of those guys in there in some form or way asking, ‘Please, whoever. I wanna have a good game.’ They do it all the time. He (Tim Tebow) is the one who has enough guts to not be ashamed of it and that’s a beautiful thing. Let me tell you something, the guy’s had a great season and just because he decides he wants to give acknowledgment to God when something goes good — I guarantee the guy gives acknowledgment when things don’t go good either. You can’t just thank God when things are great for you. I give him kudos. I don’t know him personally but he seems to me pretty genuine. But that’s his cross to bear. That’s for him to deal with. But the fact that he’s not ashamed of it and takes all the heat that he takes because of his relationship with God, I think that’s cool. I think that people who are ugly to him about it and the little punks who sit at home and put their comments up on Yahoo and have all these ridiculous things to say, hiding behind those fake names, that’s sad. And those are the people I pray for. They’ll sit back and insult him all day but at the end of the day the guy’s a hero to a lot of people because of his honesty and his ability to stand in the face of adversity on something like that. I give the guy a lot of credit. I feel sorry for the ones who don’t have enough guts to stand up for what they believe in.
“Every hero has lots of enemies,” Blaze continues. “Name one. Jesus Christ had a whole lot of enemies. And he (Tebow) is gonna have his. He’s gonna have his naysayers. But at the end of the day, you know what? It’s his soul. It’s his life. And the thing with him, he was going through a lot of rough games, too. He had a lot of bad games. A lot of people think he’s great for the team. Many people think he’s not. Of course, that’s the way human beings are. We’re easy to step on the bandwagon. If we’re going to the Super Bowl, he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. But they lost a playoff game so, oh, let’s insult him and his belief in God. It’s ridiculous. But every individual has got to answer for their statements and the way they are. And I have nothing but respect for the guy and what I know of him.”
Lillian Axe’s new album XI: The Days Before Tomorrow will be out this year on February 14 via CME Records. Pre-order here and get a special addition.
Tim Tebow recently earned the 2011 GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year for his efforts in the team’s Week 14 comeback win over Chicago.
Steve Blaze is rite on! without prayers and leaders like steve, tewbow, and others we would all crash and burn. never be afraid to stand up for jesus, i never will! we will keep praying for the rest! GOD IS GREAT…
Yet another reason why Steve Blaze is a personal hero of mine.
Great musician and person.. Good to see positive people .
You can stand up for your beliefs through your lyrics, praying on one new on the football field or your actions. Either way, it is a blessing to have this much needed influence on those who are looking for the answer.
While many people tend to knock others down even when they are already down, there are people like Steve Blaze who looks for the good in people. A big heart, an open mind, and a positive outlook on life is what has made Blaze the amazing artist he is today. He is a hero and a ray of hope that good people still exist in this world. I couldn’t be anymore proud of him than I am right now.
i have all the respect for Mr. Steve Blaze, it’s great to see and read this,…. with the morals in this country dropping like the economy, its refreshing ~