ESPN doesn’t like Tim Tebow. That much has been apparent for years. Now, with the news that he has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a tight end, Stephan A. Smith, a commentator with ESPN is letting his animosity fly freely.

ESPN “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith took aim at former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow on Thursday, arguing that “white privilege” was a factor in his NFL comeback at age 33 after years out of the league.

Tebow signed a one-year contract this week with the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending the last several years pursuing a professional baseball career in the New York Mets’ minor league system. During Thursday’s episode of “First Take,” Smith said he “had a problem” with the team’s decision to sign Tebow as a tight end – a position he has never played – while other athletes were left seeking their next opportunity.

Keep in mind, Tim Tebow was essentially driven out of Denver, his first NFL job. Why? Because A. John Elway hated him, B. Because the sports and news media along with liberals could not stand Tebow’s stance on his faith, and C. Because the coaches followed Elway’s direction and hindered his ability to execute as a quarterback. 

Tim Tebow wanted to stay in the NFL. He has worked tirelessly at staying in shape, even while he was playing in the minor leagues for baseball as well as stepping up the plate with the Mets during major league play. 

Tim Tebow has always put in the time, effort, and WORK it takes to be a strong effective player and teammate. 

Yet EPSN is totally fine with Stephen A. Smith asserting that Tebow only has this job with the Jaguars because of white privilege. With the implication that Colin Kaepernick should’ve just been handed the job. 

Others in the media are following the example set by ESPN. 

The whole situation is hilarious and stupid and utterly compelling. In case you’re in need of a quick Tebow refresher: He had the most successful college football career of any post-2000 quarterback (one Heisman Trophy; two national titles). He was a bad NFL quarterback, even though he won more games than he lost. He is an openly religious person who’s heavily involved in philanthropy. He inspired a frustratingly catchy parody song. He built a children’s hospital in the Philippines. He starred in an anti-abortion commercial that ran during the Super Bowl alongside his mother. He is the only pro football player to become famous for genuflecting in public (Colin Kaepernick knelt – an important distinction). For 13 months, from his debut with the Broncos to his ill-fated stint with the Jets, he was the center of the NFL universe. He washed out of the NFL and tried his hand at professional baseball, despite not picking up a bat for 12 years.

Wowzers. Isn’t that something?? Let me see if I have this correct on the Kaepernick vs Tebow thing.

Being open about one’s faith: Bad for business. 

Being open about BLM and anti-police: HIRE HIM!

Building a children’s hospital: Who cares.

Virtue signaling Nike ads: HIRE HIM!

Anti-abortion: Must. Be. Banned

Pro-abortion: HIRE HIM!

Kneeling before God: Let loose with liberal sneers

Kneeling against this country and our flag: ALL THE KUDOS AND APPLAUSE!

Colin Kaepernick chose to walk out on his contract. He chose to wear anti-police pig socks during practice. He has chosen to be a virtue-signaling lecturer who goes around telling the world that he can’t get ahead (zillion dollar contract with Nike notwithstanding) since everyone hates him because he is black. He is also the one who put together that idiotic practice that ended up angering every single NFL team out there because he was playing head games and demanding outrageous concessions along with a ridiculous salary. In other words, Kaepernick wanted all the perks without doing the work.

https://twitter.com/wjxt4/status/1395402178324480003

Hey ESPN? Let’s look at what Tim Tebow is getting for his year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

His salary? The minimum.

Tebow signed a one-year deal for $920,000, which is the league minimum salary for a player with his level of experience. He gets nothing guaranteed. He also has an injury split, meaning the Jaguars aren’t on the hook for his entire salary if he suffers a season-ending injury.

There would be no reason for the Jaguars to give Tebow more than the league minimum (some would say there’s no reason for the Jaguars to sign Tebow at all), so nothing is surprising here.

Tebow only makes the salary if he makes the roster, which is unlikely. But even if he never plays for the Jaguars, Tebow gets a cut of the jerseys with his name on them, which are already selling well.

Would Colin Kaepernick have accepted a deal like that? Not a chance in hell. Tim Tebow, in order to get the salary he signed up for, has to make it through practice and NOT GET CUT from the team during the pre-season. His salary also, essentially goes away if he gets injured during practice or pre-season. Again, would Kaepernick go for a deal like that? NO.

But ESPN is here to tell you this move is all about white privilege and George Floyd. 

Of all the stupid, race-baiting things a person could say, comparing Tim Tebow getting back into the NFL to George Floyd being killed is right at the top of the list.

This insane outrage nonsense has to end. https://t.co/PhuHyFkSIU

— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) May 20, 2021

Yes it does have to end. ESPN and Stephen A. Smith are totally in the wrong here and willfully ignoring the fact that Colin Kaepernick wants the world handed to him. In contract to Tim Tebow who is putting in the work and effort, even if it ends with getting cut from the team. 

Feature Photo Credit: Tim Tebow at Broncos in 2010 by Jeffrey Beall via Flickr, cropped and modified