Quarterback Tim Tebow has become one of the most publicized figures in sports and while he’s been covered by outlets from People Magazine to NBC’s Saturday Night Live to Sports Illustrated, the aspect of the popularity that he appreciates most is the ability to positively affect the lives of others.
At every Broncos game throughout the 2011 season, Tebow has hosted an individual who has been fighting an illness or gone through personal adversity.
“I definitely think about the platform that I’ve been blessed with, but I think about it in a way of how can I make the most of this platform as far as giving back,” Tebow said. “That’s why my foundation is trying to do what we’re doing building a hospital in the Philippines and our Wish 15 program.”
Each week through the W15H program, Tebow brings families of those individuals who have fought medical hardships trips to Denver or the city that the Broncos are playing in. The trips include transportation, hotel and meals. Tebow meets with the participant, who is chosen through his foundation, before and sometimes after the game. The program provides the families with tickets to the game, pregame sideline passes, W15H luggage and gifts from Jockey and Nike. Tebow has even given participants his game-worn jersey from the games they’ve attended.
“I am always humbled and honored that there are children whose wish is to spend time with me,” Tebow said. “I always walk away confident that I am the one who was blessed to be around such strong and courageous children.”
This past weekend, the participant was Kelly Faughnan, who Tebow met before the 2009 College Football Award ceremonies and also hosted in Baltimore last season. Jeff Darlington of NFL.com wrote a story about Tebow’s interactions with Faughnan following the Broncos’ game against the Patriots.
“It puts things into perspective, honestly, for me,” Tebow said. “And it gets (Kelly) an opportunity to hopefully have a good time and give her a little hope and a smile on her face because ultimately that’s what is important. I know as hard as it is to say it, that is more important than even winning or losing the game because that is a girl that has had to deal with these tumors and cerebral palsy and seizures and all these things that she’s had to go through.”
Other participants in the program this season include Woody Roseland, a 21-year old Denver resident who battled cancer since the age of 16. Roseland attended Denver’s season opener against Oakland.
“I (was) so honored to have the chance to meet Woody,” Tebow said. “I am so encouraged by his strength and desire to bring faith, hope and love to others even in the midst of his challenges.”
Garrett Atwood visited with Tebow before his first start of the season. Atwood, a 16-year old Winter Springs (Fla.) High School student was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness known as Arteriovenous Malformation, a disease that affects the connections of the arteries and veins. Following his diagnosis, Atwood was hospitalized for two and a half months and endured several weeks of rehab just to learn how to walk and talk again.
Adam Hubbs, a 16-year old St. Louis resident visited Denver for the team’s comeback win against the Bears. He was diagnosed with a rare life-threatening blood disorder and has faced many medical battles, including being in a coma for five weeks and suffering a stroke that would paralyze the left side of his body.
In June of 2011, Hubbs was given the opportunity to meet Tebow in Orlando at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex. Together they played catch, enjoyed attractions, and played arcade games. Following their time together, Tebow invited him to be his special guest at a future Denver Broncos game.
“It was so great to spend time with Adam again,” Tebow said. “I am amazed by his strength, determination and positive attitude.”
This weekend in Buffalo, Tebow will visit with Jacob Rainey, a highly recruited high school quarterback in Virginia, who suffered an injury during a preseason scrimmage that required part of his leg to be amputated.
“Here is a kid who has been offered from several ACC schools who loses a leg, but here is an opportunity the day before Christmas to just talk to him or give him a little hope,” Tebow said of Rainey. “His teammates nicknamed him after me, so to be able to bring that kid in and just inspire him, ultimately that’s taking my platform and using it for something good.”
Tags: Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow Foundation, W15H
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
Tebow is the MAN!!! Great person that is gaining the professional experience to become a Great Quarterback!!!
VON TEBOW FOOTBALL!!! Great time to be a BRONCO!!!
FTB!!!
Yet another reason to love the guy. Absolutely selfless when it comes to these things. Makes you realize how professional sports pales in comparison to what’s going on in the lives of others. I could not be prouder to have him as OUR quarterback. Love it. Keep it up Tebow!
How can you not like this guy. Mind boggling to say the least.
Good to know some of you have been on so long. When I wrote “old timers” I meant it in a veteran blogger kind of way. I am 34 yrs old with wife and two kids. I live in SoCal which means im surrounded by raider and charger fans, but at least for this year I can continue to gloat since we have a better record up to this point. It’s funny how much trash people can talk depending on how their team is faring. I went to the Charger game here in San Diego and it was awesome. I wasn’t very popular at the end of the game, but surprisingly Bronco Country was at full force there. Been a Bronco fan since I the mid 80′s and I remember Smith and Atwater wreaking havoc.
Can’t wait for Saturday!!!
He is a wonderful person. I’m so proud he is a part of our team.
I’ve been reading the blogs for about six months, and joined about a month ago. Is it possible I’m the oldest one on here? I turned 67 on Dec. 8th. Been a Broncos fan since their inception…”through the lean times and all the inbetween times.” I remember John Elway’s first several years. He made some awful and hilarious mistakes…but boy, what a quarterback he turned out to be! Those were fun times!
GO BRONCOS!!!
sorry for re-post, as soon as I posted I saw the new blog!
I have been blogging for about 2 years. I usually do not post a lot, more so lately though. I have been reading it for about 4 years. I’m 33, and I am a Chiropractor.
Response to question in previous blog:
At 70, I’m probably one of, if not the, oldest bloggesrs on the Bronco blob. I’ve been blogging for the last two seasons and thoroughly enjoy it. I love the camaradere (sp?) and the lighthearted ribbing that goes on. I enjoy many of the comments from the “young punks” because I am often reminded of a long lost Bronco mnemory that they help resurface and I thoroughly enjoy sharing that memory with those who weren’t there to experience it. I don’t tweet, twitter, facebook or text (Too cheap to pay the extra $$ for texting). If I have a choice, I’ll never have a iPhone or any similar device. My idea of a cellphone is something that goes “ring, ring” and you say “hello”.
I am engaged and will be married for the first time on 9/8/2012. We have been together about a year, I guess when you know you know. She is 25 and a nurse. Last weekend was funny because we were watching the game at home and she did not follow football much when we met but has become a Bronco fan, mostly to support me, which is awesome. While watching the game she was talking all sorts of trash to the pats. It cracked me up. I bought her a Broncos hoodie this fall because she kept stealing mine!! Great girl when she will love your team just because you do!!
my wife is the same way s.d.bronco30 she cheers on denver as well but i think it is mostly her hoping denver wins so im in a better mood.
LOL – oldsouthstander. You beat me by three years!
Congratulations, S.D. Bronco30! She sounds like a great gal. Have a wonderful life together.
haha! Thats a good point miller. I am sure she appreciates that with me as well. Every so often she throws on one of my Bronso jerseys…about the hottest thing she could wear!! haha
I joined the blog after McD was hired in 09. I have read the blogs for a long time though. Don’t post religiously, but I chime in now and again haha. Always tune in to read bays takes on the games, and always enjoy opinions from others such as TRB, oldsouthlander, Born & Raised, daddy, and many others. I’m an engaged 22 year old and my fiance is a 25year old para-educator who never has had a favorite NFL team. Trying to make her a Broncos fan, and while she is coming around I still have a ways to go lol. I am a preschool teacher for 3 years olds though, and one of my students has become a huge Tim Tebow and a huge Broncos fan. Her mom is buying her Bronco stuff for Christmas this year. I also have another student whose family is all about da bears. His dad got mad at me (jokingly) because his son was chanting for Tim Tebow at the end of the Chicago game. Probably because we “Tebow” and chant for Tebow and the Broncos as a class after each win haha.
tebow is the man i cant understand why people can talk trash about such a wonderful person. the guy has much bigger things going on in his life then just winning football games.
keep up the good work tebow
go broncos!!
Thank you mainBroncos60, I appreciate it!! She is pretty incredible. We have had a crazy year this year. It was about 3 months to the day from rou first date when I was hospitalized this year, it was pretty scary for a day or so but all turned out fine and I am good to go, but that girl refused to leave my side, including sleeping on the floor of my hospital room every nite. That made it pretty clear…no way was I not going to marry her!!
New Blog
Tim, You are truely a blessing. I can`t wait to see your mansion in heaven when we get there. Wow Wee!!
proud to say Tebow is a Bronco
This Man is just a reflection of his Lord, some people have that glow because they live for His Glory. You got to Love this Guy, Oh and on miked up I heard him singing some of my favorite Christian contemporary tunes, just makes me feel good to know he is a Denver Bronco!
thats the thing i love about tebow he is a beast on the field but at the same time he really knows whats important and thats to be a good role model for everyone and to play the game for the love of the game and not the money or fame. keep doing your thing tebow. GO BRONCOS!!
How can you get on the w15h foundation? I have a story I sent it to the Tebow foundation and they said you have to be on the W15H orginazation. Can someone give me more information on this.