Tebow didn’t quite have the 30k audience that they Church hoped for, but a solid 15k showed up to hear what Backup Jesus had to say.
I will continue to say that Tebow’s football career when it is all said it done will be secondary to what he does off the field.
Here are several quotes from the Q&A session along with a video of him giving his thoughts on Tebowing.
The service was peppered with lively Christian rock songs and Tebow took the large stage to cheers from those who could see him while others toward the back watched on massive video screens. He sat for a 20-minute interview with Champion to talk about his faith and its role in his public life.
“It’s OK to be outspoken about your faith,” Tebow said.
He also took a shot at professional athletes who insist they are not role models.
“Yes you are. You’re just not a good one,” Tebow said.
Champion asked Tebow what he thought needed to change culturally in America.
“First and foremost is what this country was based on: one nation under God. The more that we can get back to that,” Tebow said to applause.
Debbie Sandoval and her husband and two sons arrived before sunrise. They wore Tebow’s Jets jerseys and set up camp close the large soundstage with a row of chairs.
“I love that boy. … He’s like my third son,” said Sandoval, who is not a regular member of the church but wasn’t going to miss a chance to hear Tebow speak. A self-described “lifelong Broncos fan,” Sandoval said she became a Jets fan because of Tebow. The quarterback led the Broncos to the playoffs last season and was acquired by the Jets in a trade March 21.
“Everything about this young man’s extraordinary life is special,” Sandoval said.
Amanda O’Hara drove about 100 miles from San Antonio on Saturday and got to the church about 4:30 a.m. “to be one of the first ones here.”
“I only got about four hours sleep, I was so excited,” O’Hara said. “He doesn’t hide who he is. Parents should see him as a role model.”