Loveland girl’s heart pounded “a million miles an hour” when she met Denver Broncos QB Tim Tebow
A letter to Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow’s Wish 15 program pushed a 16-year-old Loveland girl to the front of a long line of young women whose hearts flutter at the idea of spending a little time with the star player.
On Thursday, Bailey Knaub learned she’d get to spend time with Tebow and his family before and after the AFC wild-card playoff game Sunday.
“He’s been my favorite since he was in college. He’s such an inspiration, such a strong Christian,” said Bailey. “I was very nervous. My heart was going a million miles an hour. I was trying not to to squeal like a little fan girl.”
Tebow mentioned Bailey, a junior at Thompson Valley High School in Loveland, during his post-game remarks Sunday night, noting that the big overtime win against the Pittsburgh Steelers​ paled in significance when compared to the health struggles she has faced. Bailey has Wegener’s granulomatosis, a condition that has forced her to undergo 73 surgeries in 10 years, the most serious of which was the removal of her left lung in 2010.
Bailey, her sister Gentry and her parents spent a few hours with Tebow’s siblings and parents prior to the game Sunday.
“They are so friendly,” said Bailey’s mom, Kathy Knaub. “It’s like we were family. We talked a lot about faith and their farm.”
The families also prayed together.
After the game, Tebow introduced Bailey to other Broncos players, including wide receiver Demaryius Thomas​, who caught the last pass of the game and ran 80 yards to score the winning touchdown.
Today, after a meeting that she expected to be little more than the big-deal player stopping to say “Hi,” Bailey said she feels more confident. After all, she said, she got about 20 hugs from everyone in the “very huggy” family “and a ton from Tebow.”
Colleen Moore
This guy is 100% all class! and 100% REAL!
Everybody won here. Great story.
I was struck by how sincere Tebow was when meeting the sick boy before the Chicago Bears game when NFL Films had him miked up. I’m not Christian nor religious but I believe Tim is sincere in his beliefs and is a genuinely caring person. He seems to have a pretty good sense of perspective especially considering how worshiped he has been almost his entire life.
The kid understands what’s really important in life and is one of the very few mega-stars that has his head screwed on right. I hope it rubs off on the rest of the Broncos.
good story, inspirational. others should learn from tim.
all the tebow haters that spew their venom on every sports discussion thread should be forced to read this article.
I personally don’t think he’s a good qb but he’s obviously a good person. In a town that worshipped Brandon Marshall it is refreshing to have Tim in town.
Regardless of what he does as a player, he’s a good guy, an asset to our town and we’re lucky to have him.
This guy is the real deal. We are very fortunate to have him.
This kind of compassion should be a lesson to all those that believe that they can’t make a difference by just taking some time to physically help another soul in need…whether you are religious or not…it doesn’t matter.
It is the intent that matters.
Good for Tim and his family! He is the real deal. His major in college was Family, Youth and Community Sciences. That shows more than anything what he wants to do with his life after the NFL.
Tebow speaks truth in action, word AND sport. I love that he Tweeted Hebrews 12:1-2 prior to Sunday’s game. This guy really gets it in a way I can only aspire to. Max Lucado, Beth Moore and Tim Tebow (sounds funny, huh?) – you inspire me!
What a fine man we’re blessed with to lead our team. I had the opportunity to be at the game on Sunday (AWESOOOOOMMEEE!) and let me tell ya, the only Tebow Haters there were Steeler fans.
Loveland is buzzing about Bailey.
[...] Check out these other articles on the subject: Jon Gordon Blog, Mile High Mamas [...]