Keeping Score

My Disagreement

by Gene | July 23, 2009

So last night I was reading the latest Sports Illustrated (shocking to know I read I know haha) and I read an article that gave me mixed feelings.

It was titled “You Gotta Love Tim Timbow” by Austin Murphy. It was an article that talked about all the good Tebow does off the field and how he uses his on-field accomplishments to do more off the field. I do have to say, Tebow is a great person and athlete. There was a quote that I didn’t agree with: “.. I am one hundred percent certain I’m going to go to heaven because I have Jesus Christ in my life.”

I am not saying he shouldn’t push his religion. It’s his right as an American to use free speech and its Mr. Murphy’s right of Freedom of Press to right this article. What I don’t agree with is Sports Illustrated decision to run this article. I have to say, I was offended by this article. And I’m not somebody who gets offended very easily. I know being Jewish I’m not in the majority when it comes to religion, but I don’t feel its right to say because one is a certain religion that person is going to heaven or hell.

Sandy Koufax is one of the most well known Jewish athletes, but you don’t see him going around saying because he’s Jewish he’s going to heaven. He is accepting of everyone else’s religion, as is Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox, Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, or former NBA Coach Red Auerbach (all Jewish). And where is Sports Illustrated’s article on them being Jewish and how proud fellow Jews are of them. ESPN did an article on the NBA’s Jordan Farmar of the Los Angeles Lakers and highlighted on being (at the time) the only Jewish player in the NBA.

I am open to all religions, accept when it gets pushed on me, and I feel that this article was pushing religion onto me.

So Tim, keep up all of your great work I hope you have a brilliant career, Mr. Murphy I hope you have a great writing career, and Sports Illustrated I hope you continue to put out a great magazine, but to Mr. Murphy and Sports Illustrated I hope you both realize what you are putting out first.

Gene