July 3, 2008 Publishing Good News since 1884 Volume 125 Number 26
 

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Opponents on the Gridiron—Brothers in Christ

High profile QBs hope to lead their teams to success on the field while remaining true to their testimonies under intense scrutiny of fans and media, and temptations off the field

 

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One is the undisputed starter and leader of his team; the other has withstood a fierce competition this summer to keep his starting job—at least for the first game.

One is defending his team's National Championship; the other is looking to improve on his team's disappointing 7-6 record from last season and restore his program to its former glory.

One is a Gator; the other is a Seminole.

Despite their differences and the fact that they play against each other in one of the most heated rivalries in college football, University of Florida's Tim Tebow and Florida State University's Drew Weatherford share the most important thing in common—a commitment to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in a difficult environment: big-time college football.

Both quarterbacks are living their dreams of playing quarterback for their childhood favorite teams at two of the most prestigious football programs in the nation. Tim Tebow leads the Gators on the field for their first game Sept. 1 against Western Kentucky in Gainesville, while Drew Weatherford and the Seminoles open the season Labor Day evening at Clemson.

But when the quarterbacks face each other Nov. 24 at Florida Field in Gainesville, both hope the winner will have bolstered its position to win college football's ultimate prize—the crystal trophy awarded to the nation's champion.

As committed as both of them are to leading their teams to win, Tebow and Weatherford tell Florida Baptist Witness in this special report that football is not the most important thing in their lives—and they pray that their Christian testimony may help lead others to follow Jesus Christ.