YES FOOTBALL FANS THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS

To paraphrase a letter written in the 19^th century to a girl named Virginia, I thought was appropriate. With all the scandals, the immorality and the lewd contact we unfortunately see in every day life, it's indeed a pleasure to write about something, or someone who enjoys playing his sport just for the mere pleasure of being allowed to have it as a lucrative occupation.

I'm talking about Tim Tebow, quarterback of the Denver Broncos. According to all the experts he can't run, he is not big and strong like other NFL quarterbacks and admittedly he does not possess an NFL rifle-like arm. So what is it?

He is a role model.  A man so dedicated to what he believes in, he makes others around him, feel the same way.  He possesses that innate quality known as heart.

Over the objections of the entire Denver brain trust, which includes Hall-of-fame quarterback John Elway six games ago, he was entrusted with the leadership of the team. All he has done is post a 5-1 record. Now, you and I both know that sooner, or later he is going to lose... or is he?

Back in the dark ages of my youth, I was a Boy Scout. In fact, 68 years later I still remember the Boy Scout Credo... a scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, brave, clean and reverent. Hello Tim Tebow.

Kids throughout the world worship athletes. Imagine how it felt to be a Michael Vick fan; only to find out he was abusing dogs.  Or for that matter, Lawrence Taylor who was caught in compromising sexual scandals more than once, disillusioning so many. How about all those guys and gals in all sports who cheated us by using performance enhancing drugs while breaking records, scoring lots of runs, beating everyone in track meets.  They don't deserve adulation only scorn.

Or the numerous athletes involved in undesirable and embarrassing situations, i.e. Brett Favre and his pixilated penis, Tiger Woods and his infidelities. Then there were the 17 Vikings who back during the 2005 season spent the afternoon partying on a rented boat with hookers flown in from Atlanta and Florida.

One can never forget Rosie Ruiz who cheated in the Boston Marathon becoming the world record holder by shattering the previous best set in New York by 25 minutes. Oh I could recount many more and with a great variety... the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, College Basketball's point shaving scandal of the late 40s and early 50s.  How about Skategate 1 starring Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. Last, but certainly not least the Little League Scandal when Danny Almonte's age was falsified and made younger so that his team might be a winner.

Meanwhile, scandal in sports is nothing knew.  I could enumerate so many more. But then again, how can we expect sports to be scandal-free when people running for the highest office in the land are not without guilt...  people we should be admiring.

Now, along comes Tim Tebow without blemish. Instead of casting the first stone, he throws a football. He is humble, which in itself, among celebrities and stars, is a rarity.  He thanks his teammates for his success... how unusual!  He bends a knee and gives thanks to a higher power. 

You and I may not have the same philosophy, but we must admire his belief and his follow-through.  He lives the way a true American Idol should.  For young fans, he is a beacon to be followed.

He is not like the Immortals of Comic Book fame.  He cannot run faster than a speeding bullet, nor can he leap over tall buildings.  He cannot spin a web to entrap onrushing linemen set on doing him bodily harm.

What he can do and does is live an exemplary life while playing hard and honestly to win. He doesn't take steroids, he doesn't cheat and he is not a frequenter of girlie bars, he does not imbibe.  Plan and simple, he is a great kid with a gift.

That gift is leadership. With an unknown quality called heart. This leadership builds trust and belief in him. Enough so, that the mediocre Denver Broncos are convinced they are winners.

In this day and age of rapid scientific discoveries, let's make it a project to clone Tom Tebow.