Bo Nix Thanks ‘Childhood Hero’ Tim Tebow for Boldly Sharing Jesus

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Two of football’s most outspoken Christians shared their stories as part of a Denver Broncos feature this week, as former quarterback Tim Tebow joined current Broncos star Bo Nix for a conversation about football, family and faith.

Tebow is the former Heisman Trophy winner who helped deliver one of the most memorable playoff wins in Broncos history in January 2012, while Nix is the franchise’s current quarterback who led Denver to the playoffs last season and a berth in the AFC Championship Game, although an ankle injury kept him from playing in the title game.

The feature, known as Jersey Swap, matches a current Broncos player with a former franchise great for a wide-ranging conversation.

Tebow is 39, while Nix is 26.

Nix told Tebow he was his “childhood hero.”

“My 8-year-old self right now is just jumping through the roof,” Nix said, laughing.

Nix said he read Tebow’s first book, watched a documentary about him and tuned in regularly to Tebow’s games at the University of Florida and then at Denver.

“I don't think you realize truly how —just as a kid —when you're looking [at] talent you have and how to use it and all this kind of stuff —I really understood why you did things,” Nix said. “You were doing it for one purpose, and one person only, and you were just literally trying to share Jesus, and I literally would tell myself, ‘I want to grow up and be just like that. I want to do the exact same thing’— and I don't want it to be about me, but I want it to be about sharing the gospel.

“Really and truly, I do mean it, and I want you to know that— that you did something special, and thank you. It means a lot, and thank you for being a friend now.”

Nix recounted meeting Tebow at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event while he was still in high school, remembering how Tebow took the time to talk with him. Tebow, meanwhile, recalled being impressed with Nix both as a person and an athlete. Not long after, Tebow made waves on ESPN by picking Auburn—with Nix then a freshman quarterback— to defeat Oregon in the season opener. Auburn won 27-21, with Nix throwing the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. Years later, Nix transferred to Oregon, where he finished his college career.

“The success that you've had is so encouraging,” Tebow said. “But more importantly, the way that you've done it just makes me so proud of you as a player — more importantly, as a person and a brother in Christ.”

Each player signed a Broncos jersey that they will later swap in person. Tebow wrote to Nix: “Your faith, determination and resilience are second to none. So proud of you, your brother in Christ.” Nix wrote a simple message of gratitude: “Thank you for giving me someone to look up to.”

Photo Credit: ©YouTube/DenverBroncosJerseySwap - ScreenGrab

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

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