COMMENTARY | During the Super Bowl week, Denver Broncos quarter Tim Tebow told David Feherty of Golf Channel that he is thinking about running for public office, according to Chris Moody with The Ticket.
Of course, that would grab a lot of headlines, the way he did when he led the Broncos to several stunning wins and a dramatic playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. But imagine what a sensation that would cause in the political world if he did the unexpected, and ran as a Democrat.
Now I know you're dismissing such a notion. But the idea isn't really so far-fetched. After all, it wouldn't be a cinch for Tebow to run as a Republican. Here's why.
Not all athletes run as Republicans
It's assumed that because of groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or the money players make that they are a natural fit for the Republican Party. But tell that to Heath Shuler. The Heisman Trophy runner-up who played for the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints was thought to be conservative, but he wound up running as a Democrat.
Shuler, also a quarterback, ousted a Republican congressman in 2006, then went on to win re-election twice. He defied all predictions of a party switch. He was drawn out of his district as a Democrat this year, but many expect another comeback, perhaps in another election, as a candidate for statewide office. Not only that, but Democrats are pulling out all stops to get famed linebacker Harry Carson, a Hall of Fame defender who played for the New York Giants for years, to run against New Jersey Republican Congressman Scott Garrett.
After years of Jack Kemp, J.C. Watts and Steve Largent and other players who ran as Republicans, football is no longer solely GOP turf.
It's hard for a football star to run as a Republican
Just ask Craig James, the outstanding running back from Southern Methodist University who helped the New England Patriots make the Super Bowl and became an ESPN analyst. He's running for the open Texas Senate seat, but it's tough going in the crowded primary against Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, State Solicitor General Ted Cruz and former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. There are another six Republicans in the field in addition to James and these other three Republicans.
If that wasn't enough, James is getting pounded by his GOP rivals for his football record, according to the Associated Press. Opponents claim he got money while playing at SMU. They blame him for getting popular Texas Tech coach Mike Leach fired over how his son was treated.
Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne was defeated in a bitter primary by Gov. David Heineman, who also threw some pretty mean punches against a Cornhuskers legend. Who knows what Republicans would throw against Tebow if he ran? Maybe Tebow's praying or passing completion rate would be fair game for enemies in a GOP primary.
This is Tim Tebow we're talking aboutWhether it is his size, throwing style or unconventional play calling, when has he ever done what's been expected? That's part of his magic. So if he makes a play for political office in Colorado and Florida as a Democrat, don't be too surprised.
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