KISS frontman Gene Simmons takes on Tim Tebow critics who attack player's faith



Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, well known for his devotion to his faith and willingness to share his beliefs, received serious props this week from a big name in one of the most secular sectors of American culture.

KISS frontman Gene Simmons took to social media to declare what a "shame" it is that Tebow's critics would stoop so low and mock the man for holding to his Christian convictions.

What happened?

Tebow has made headlines over the last several days as reports have swirled that the all-star college quarterback who wasn't able to make a long-term career at the signal-calling post in the NFL would likely be making a return to the league this year — as a tight end. The move comes after a sub-par stint in professional baseball's minor leagues.

The former Florida Gator's likely return to the professional ranks as a Jacksonville Jaguar under the command of former Gators coach Urban Meyer — Tebow's college career mentor and current-day neighbor — has not been without controversy.

Tebow, whose Christian faith has been his most identifying characteristic, was often the butt of over the top mockery, anti-faith jokes, and censorship. For example:

  • Liberal groups pressured CBS to cancel his pro-life Super Bowl ad.
  • A minor league baseball team in Charleston, South Carolina, was forced to apologize after mocked Tebow's faith during a three-game series.
  • HBO host John Oliver once joked that if he had a gun with two bullets he would shoot Tim Tebow before Osama bin Laden.
  • Twitter censored his Bible message about relying on God during difficult times.

Football analyst and former NFL and college star Randy Cross felt the media's treatment of Tebow was so inappropriate that while working for CBS Sports he called out his fellow members of the press for "root[ing] against him because of what he stands for."

This week, as criticisms of Tebow began to make the rounds again, the rocker known as "The Demon" went on defense for America's best-known Christian athlete ... for standing up for his faith.

"I support @TimTebow," Simmons tweeted Tuesday evening. "He was widely criticized and made fun of, simply because he is a man of faith, who believed in his Christian values. Shame on the NFL and the rest of the world for stooping so low."

I support @TimTebow . He was widely criticized and made fun of, simply because he is a man of faith, who believed i… https://t.co/S3IbPZu9jN

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) 1620767865.0

Anything else?

Criticism of Tebow's likely return to the NFL also featured those who wanted to know why he should get another shot in the NFL while no team would sign QB-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick. To these critics it was clear that race was the only plausible explanation.

But Tebow's former Gator teammate and retired NFL linebacker Brandon Spikes was having none of it. He took to Twitter to call out the haters and tell them to "stop pulling this race bulls**t!"

He urged fans to understand that Tebow would be good for the Jaguars — or any team, for that matter — tweeting, "Tim Tebow will be an inspiration in any locker room trust me i know."

Tim Tebow will be an inspiration in any locker room trust me i know

— BrandonSpikes55 (@brandonspikes55) 1620743226.0

(H/T: Faithwire)

Former NFL player demands people drop the ‘race bulls**t’ when it comes to Tim Tebow



Former NFL linebacker Brandon Spikes hit out at the "race bulls**t" that ensued after it was announced former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow would likely return to the NFL.

Many people railed against the NFL for its interest in Tebow while former NFL quarterback-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned for several seasons in a row.

Various reports have indicated that 33-year-old Tebow — former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner — could sign a one-year contract to play tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars this week.

What are the details?

Spikes — who played college football with Tebow for the Florida Gators — railed against the criticism on Tuesday, writing, "Shessh why sooo much hate for my bruh Tebow?"

Shessh why sooo much hate for my bruh Tebow ? 🤦🏿‍♂️

— BrandonSpikes55 (@brandonspikes55) 1620742129.0

He later added, "I'm gonna call Urb and see if i can get a job as the head Equipment Manager for the jaguars lol. So y'all can stop pulling this race bulls**t! This ain't that. It's all about their relationship built people."

Image source: Twitter screenshot

Spikes. who played six seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, also pointed out that he believes Tebow will serve as an inspiration in the locker room.

He wrote, "Tim Tebow will be an inspiration in any locker room trust me i know."

Tim Tebow will be an inspiration in any locker room trust me i know

— BrandonSpikes55 (@brandonspikes55) 1620743226.0

As previously reported by Blaze Media, myriad social media users ran with the reports and suggested that race and white supremacy were factors in the alleged decision.

Actor Steven Pasquale tweeted about the news, said that white privilege was at the root of the purported decision.

"Tim Tebow finding a team and Colin Kaepernick can't. White privilege NFL style," he wrote. "Tebow can't throw, never could, never played TE, and hasn't played in .... what ... 8 years? Explain it to me like I'm 5."

Tim Tebow finding a team and Colin Kaepernick can’t. White privilege NFL style.Tebow can’t throw, never could,… https://t.co/PtD5jdZBYi

— steven pasquale (@StevePasquale) 1620683460.0

Anything else to know?

In 2017, NFL great Joe Montana told the Sporting News that he believed Kaepernick would be a "distraction" to the NFL, and compared Kaepernick's quarterbacking skills to those of Tebow.

Montana, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, said that he would be fine never seeing Kaepernick play in the NFL again.

“Everyone thinks it is the stance [Kaepernick] took; one of the things you don't look for is distractions in the locker room," Montana said at the time. “You can go back to Bill Walsh and as soon as there were guys that weren't fitting in what he was looking for, it didn't matter how good you were. You weren't on the team for very long.

“You have to have people who want the same thing, fighting for the same thing and willing to put in the time," he added.

The outlet reported, "When asked if he thought Kaepernick would be on an NFL roster by the beginning of the season, Montana said, 'I'm not sure, I think [if] there's an injury somewhere he probably gets in.'"

Montana added, “In most cases, you look at Tim Tebow — a great guy and everybody was talking about him. But what it comes down to is 40 percent completion or even in the low 50s, you can't win in the league with that. You won't be in the league very long. It comes down to his play as much as anything."