SAN DIEGO — Quarterback Tim Tebow no longer prints Bible verses on his eye black, but the Broncos believe what their quarterback is preaching. On the eve of Denver’s 16-13 overtime victory against San Diego, Tebow’s message to teammates was Proverbs 27:17.
“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,” Tebow said Sunday as he walked the stadium catacombs after yet another victory you had to see to believe.
The Broncos, however, have 100 percent faith that Tebow can lead them to the playoffs after a dismal 1-4 start to this season. “I’ve never seen a human who can will himself to win like that,” Denver linebacker Von Miller said.
If a quarterback who would rather run than throw can pull off an invitation to the Super Bowl tournament, then Tebow must not only be considered a legitimate Pro Bowl candidate, but also should be mentioned in the discussion for the NFL’s most valuable player.
Mixing football with religion is what makes Tebow a lightning rod for controversy. But from praying for the Chargers to miss a potential game-winning field goal to preaching to teammates from the Bible, Tebow seems certain heaven is on his side.
Denver coach John Fox asked Tebow to address the team the night before this AFC West showdown. The quarterback fell back on what he knew best, and inspired the troops by quoting from the Old Testament.
“He said iron sharpens iron and men sharpen other men. And I think that’s totally true,” Miller said. “He gave us a great speech. We came out (for the game) fired up. And that was a wrap.”
As Tebow picked a path from a tiny visiting locker room to the team bus, his crowded path caused him to dart and look for daylight as much as any of his 22 carries against San Diego did. Without breaking stride, Tebow autographed a football handed from a grown man and exchanged a fist bump with a smiling child wearing a Chargers replica jersey.
Tebow, however, was stopped dead in his tracks when told his speech on game’s eve had touched the hearts of teammates. “It was a huge honor,” Tebow said of being given the opportunity. “I just tried to share from the heart.”
There are more talented squads in the NFL. But right here, right now, nobody in the league is playing with more heart than the Broncos.
Denver rallied from a 10-0 deficit in the opening half, tied the game on a field goal by Matt Prater during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and had to survive a 53-yard kick by San Diego’s Nick Novak that slipped wide right in overtime.
Injecting religion, Tebow praised the Lord for everything that happened, going so far as to admit he wasn’t watching when Novak blew a chance to send the Chargers home winners. “I was kind of praying the whole time,” Tebow said.
Was he praying for Novak to miss?
“I might’ve said that,” Tebow replied with a chuckle. “Or maybe a block.”
Employing an offense that would be considered conservative by peewee league standards shouldn’t work in the NFL. Yet Tebow confounds those of us who shake a head in disbelief at how completing 50 percent of his 18 passes against San Diego qualified as high by his low standard of throwing accuracy.
But there’s no denying what is at work here is powerful stuff. In recent days, I’ve heard a barber in Montana and a rental-car agent in California both testify they are not Broncos fans but have started cheering for Tebow because pro sports cry out for more inherent goodness.
Willis McGahee rushed for 117 yards, leaving bruises on Chargers every step of the way. With two sacks, Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil lowered the doom so fiercely it made San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers antsy in the pocket. What Tebow brings might not be built to last in the NFL, but I gladly admit his winning spirit transcends statistical analysis.
“Tebow believes in what he believes in. It’s amazing. He doesn’t change for anybody. He’s the same 2 4/7. I’ve witnessed it on tough days, cold days, he’s the same every day,” Miller said. “What (Tebow) has his mind-set on is going to work. And it does.”
As a 37-yard field goal by Prater clinched the victory, one of the happiest Broncos spied standing near the team bench was team executive John Elway. “I understand better than most how every time you come to this town it’s a dogfight,” he explained.
With the toothy smile that made him almost as famous as his big right arm, Elway offered Tebow congratulations near midfield during the victory celebration.
Coming from the biggest legend in Broncos history, this qualified as more than a slap on the back for Tebow. It was a seal of approval.
Mark Kiszla: 303-954-1053 or mkiszla@denverpost.com
