The Fruits of Choosing Life

Editor's note. I'm sure many of you will want to comment on this great story. Send your thoughts to daveandrusko@hotmail.com.

I freely confess I watch way, way, way too much college football. Although I do not live anywhere near Florida, it happened that the games of last year's national champions--the Florida Gators-- were shown on my local CBS affiliate nearly every Saturday this fall.

Without getting too geeky, over the course of 12 games, Gators' quarterback Tim Tebow put on a display of prowess beyond anything I have ever seen. Over the weekend Tebow won the coveted Heisman Trophy, the first sophomore ever. No doubt Tebow won because he was also the first quarterback from a major college program ever to throw for at least 20 touchdowns and run for at least 20 touchdowns in the same season.

As you watched him perform on the football field--or if you were lucky enough to catch him profusely thanking God, his family, and his teammates for his award--you could not help thinking that this dazzlingly handsome young man was special in every possible way.

What does that have to do with us? Glad you asked. Tebow is the youngest of five children of Bob and Pam Tebow, missionaries to the Philippines through Bob Tebow Evangelistic Ministries.

In 1985, "hoping to expand their family, they prayed for 'Timmy' by name," according to the Gainesville Sun.

However, while pregnant with Tim, Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, a bacteria transmitted through contaminated drinking water. Doctors told her that the strong medications she'd need to take would could irreversible damage to Tim--and counseled an abortion.

Pam said no, telling the Sun it was because of her faith. She spent the last two months of her pregnancy on bed rest, ultimately giving birth in August 1987 to a healthy baby boy, "skinny, but rather long."

Last year, as a freshman, Tebow only came in for a handful of plays. Everyone in the stadium knew his role: he was the human wrecking ball whose brute force would dislodge defenses.

At the time, I'm sure almost everyone unfamiliar with Tim (like me) thought he was a one-dimensional player. We might have guessed he'd run for 22 touchdowns this season but never have imagined that he'd throw 29 touchdown passes as well.

But we would have been wrong, and not just about his football talent. By all appearances, Tim is a multi-dimensional human being, a man of achievement, a man of modesty, and a man of faith--a blessing to all who know him.

And this amazing young man is able to share his many gifts because, and only because, Pam Tebow said no to abortion and yes to life.

You can watch Tim accept the Heisman at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHlveXF_nOk