Tebow loss should be kept in perspective.

So the Patriots stomped the Broncos yesterday. Yes, Tim Tebow had a tough day, being sacked a few times. The Broncos' season ended in a 45-10 loss to New England, with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throwing for a record six touchdowns.

In the wake of Tebow Mania, it's worth taking a moment to keep it in perspective. Tim Tebow had a remarkable year of late-in-the-game victories. He shows a lot of promise as a quarterback. A career is not defined by a single year. To be a success, a quarterback needs to post more victories than defeats over a career, not just a year.

In some ways I may not be the right person to talk about this topic. For one thing, I am not really a big football fan- I am uncomfortable with the casual brutality that pervades the sport, and the cavalier attitude towards the horrifying prevalance of concussion injuries that darken the lives of many NFL veterans for the rest of their lives. For another thing, I happen to be an atheist, which makes it difficult for me to experience the religious fervor which surrounds Tebow.

Or maybe it makes me better qualified? Because seriously, pro football is not the thing that needs to define our earthly existence- and as to religion, I am able to regard Tebow independently from his religious presentations.

So here's the thing. Tim Tebow appears to be a good natured young man who at least has the civility to recognize that he is part of large group of people responsible for his team's success this year- he is not a cocky young snot claiming to do it all himself.  He has the basic skills to do a good job as a quarterback, and he also seems to have that rarer ability to motivate his team members and instill in them a belief in their abilities that we call leadership or charisma. The kneeling down thing after a touchdown? Well, it calls attention to itself, but at least it is an expression of submission and humility, not a victory dance to humiliate opponents.

Now let's move on to other topics. But if you want to look forward to next year's NFL season, I am not going to stop you. The good thing about sports is that there is always next year.  I know that pretty well, as a Cleveland Indians baseball fan. :)