How to leave reporters speechless

By Mary DeTurris Poust



Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, the University of Florida Gators quarterback who once wrote "John 3:16" in his eye black, recently accomplished a rare feat off the football field: He left reporters speechless when, in response to a personal question, the unabashed Christian unflinchingly said that yes, he is saving himself for marriage. The next reporter couldn't even spit out his question, such was the apparent shock of realizing there was a real live football-star virgin in their midst. And the headline he got for that in the South Florida Sun Sentinel: "Spiritual Florida quarterback Tim Tebow admits he’s a virgin." Admits. As if he's pleading guilty to something. As if he has reason to be embarrassed.

“I think you’re stunned right now. You can’t even ask a question. … I was ready for that question, but I don’t think ya’ll were," Tebow said during the press conference.

Head over to GetReligion.org for analysis of the story as well as a look at an "ultra-sympathetic" Sports Illustrated feature on Tebow by clicking HERE. H/T to Ed Mechmann over at Varia.