Mile High Mania

Not even two years ago, Mr. B and I walked into the last night of our birth class (scheduled for the first night of the 2010 NFL draft), having just heard on the radio that the Denver Broncos traded up to (likely) draft Tim Tebow in the first round. B walked into the class and declared to everyone, "I'm not actually paying attention to class tonight, and if we draft Tim Tebow in the first round, I'm throwing my phone against the wall."  The night ended poorly for Mr. B's phone.

The next day, I wrote this lengthy blog post about why I didn't like the move. Aside from a few tears on the field during his college career, I had no issue with Tebow personally...I just didn't think we needed another expensive quarterback and that Tebs wasn't the man for the job in Denver if we did.

Mr. B jumped on the Tebow bandwagon after watching some documentary that followed him from the Sugar Bowl to the NFL draft during the summer before the 2010 season. As a person, I've always liked him, and the more he talks, the more I like him. He forms coherent sentences when he's talking to the press. I've yet to hear about a Tebow arrest for a DUI, alleged rape, or brandishing a weapon in a bar.  He gives his teammates credit for every win. He thanks God for his talents. He's an all-around good-guy. He alienates some people with his religious fervor, but I personally am thrilled that there's someone in the NFL who won't hide who he is just because it's not popular. And as the mom of a son who already loves football? Tim Tebow, you're welcome in Denver forever.

But I wasn't skeptical of his character, I was skeptical of how he'd transition to the NFL as a quarterback. I'm the first to admit I thought he was a terrible choice for quarterback in Denver. I held out with my skepticism - of him as a quarterback - until he was was our starter this season - replacing poor Kyle Orton mid-season. And then? His stats as a starter didn't lie. He's left me with absolutely no fingernails by the end of each game, but his 4th quarter comebacks were exciting to watch.

Tom Tebow before yesterday's game

And then Tebs - and the Broncos - had three terrible weeks to end the season. Like, it was embarrassing to watch terrible. But the Broncos somehow creeped into the playoffs for the first time since the 2005 season - with a home game - against not all-around good-guy Ben Roethlisberger and his Pittsburgh Steelers. And in true Broncos fashion, we pulled it out in overtime. This is crazy, but this is fun!