Florida fans by now know the legend of Tim Tebow by rote: he plays quarterback as well as anyone in America, sings on stage with the stars of country music, makes girls swoon every time he smiles.
During spring break, Tebow added a new facet to his fame. In an impoverished village outside General Santos City in the Philippines, Tebow helped circumcise impoverished children.
On the Friday of a weeklong trip to the orphanage his father's ministry runs in Southeast Asia, Tebow assisted with the care of locals who had walked miles to the temporary clinic that the ministry helped organize. More than 250 people underwent medical and dental procedures, some of them from "Dr. Tebow," who has no formal surgical training.
"The first time, it was nerve-racking," he said. "Hands were shaking a little bit. I mean, I'm cutting somebody. You can't do those kinds of things in the United States. But those people really needed the surgeries. We needed to help them."
Tebow didn't plan on operating that day in the Philippines - his job was to preach to the hundreds of people before they had teeth pulled or cysts removed. But as the day rolled on, he grew curious about the three Filipino doctors and his friend, University of Florida graduate and aspiring doctor Richard "R.B." Moleno, in the bus-sized vehicle that served as a mobile hospital.
Tebow started as a helper and gofer, holding tools and running errands for the medics. By afternoon, he was asking questions and looking for more active ways to help. And by the end of an exhausting day, he was wearing gloves and a mask, wielding surgical scissors, finishing off stitches with a snip.
"You could see he was really into it," Moleno said. "He thought it was cool. I'd make a stitch, he'd cut a stitch. He got his hands a little wet in surgery."
Moleno joined three Tebows - Tim, brother Robby and father Bob, along with Shaun Young, a friend and Florida graduate who plans to attend dental school this fall, on the trip. All five spent better than 24 hours on airplanes flying more than 9,000 miles to the Philippines; throw in the time change, and the men lost nearly two days to travel.
The five stayed at Uncle Dick's Home, the orphanage near General Santos City. They spent Monday through Thursday preaching at 15 schools, going from one to the other on bumpy Jeep rides. Throughout, the trip provided culture shock -- the men carried toilet paper in their backpacks and cleaned themselves with "bucket showers," a local tradition that looked just how it's imagined.
Friday brought another ride, this one to an area that lacked even the basic amenities enjoyed in the city. Families lined up for hours waiting for the mobile-care units, and the people took numbers, like customers at a deli, to designate who would be seen first.
"It was a pretty amazing sight," Young said. "People wanted to get care so much they were fighting to get on the bus. They all thought their number should be next."
The locals started by hearing a brief Christian sermon from one of the Tebows and then moved to a brief medical exam from a Filipino doctor. The patients had their blood pressure taken, heart beat checked, and any available medical history reviewed.
Moleno had purchased medicine in the city, and patients not needing immediate care were given a stash and sent home. Others were sent to Young, who extracted a couple of dozen teeth, then gave toothbrushes to school-age children who had never cleaned their mouths before.
The men worked until dark, Bob Tebow said, and still had to turn away at least 50 people.
As for the doctor thing, that seems to be a temporary gig for Tebow. He played quarterback in last month's spring game and plans to spend the fall trying to lead the Gators to a national championship, maybe snagging another Heisman Trophy along the way.
That, no doubt, will grow his legend much more. But in a small Filipino village two months ago, that legend got its biggest boost yet.
"You always hear that this kid can do anything," Young said, "and then I see him doing surgery. Maybe he can do anything."
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Comments » 133
VOLstuckINky writes:
I get to be first on this juicy article .......
If you don't have one .... you cut one ......
Concerned_Mother_Focker writes:
He had plenty of practice circumcising all the legs of his jeans to make his rumored 300 pairs of jorts.
TommyJack writes:
As much as I hate to pass on this, I'll defer to Kingsport.
VOLstuckINky writes:
by the way .. UF making a move in the Fulmer cup competition .... Adams ... here you go if you're snooping around the boards
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.c...
Vol13 writes:
When asked where he got his experience, Tebow said "Last year in America we played a team called the Vols. I probably circumcised 25 or so of their defense players over the course of about 3 hours."
Attempts to reach John Chavis, Tennessee Defensive Coordinator, were unsuccessful. Chavis is rumored to be out of the country on a recruiting trip. News at 11.
Redvol writes:
Hard to root against this guy off the field, obviously doing the "good" work and living an admirable life. Like our Chris Lofton, he is a role model for our youth. I'll be fired up though when the Gators roll into Knoxville this fall. Go Vols!!!
Orangebrewbasher writes:
I know he a good quarterback and a great person off the field and all, but could someone tell me why is KNS reporting the fact that florida quarterbacks are in third-world countries touching little boys. SERENITY NOW!!
hallsguy writes:
Tebow has lots of practice circumcising defenses around the SEC and the D3 teams Florida plays to juice up their record.
murrayvol writes:
Everything was going fine until they discovered Lorena Bobbitt with a scalpel in her hand and a smile on her face.
EricBerryIsYourFather writes:
This is just too easy! "...he grew curious...You could see he was really into it." My suspicions are confirmed.
Honestly, could he not have just continued to preach or feed them or something like that? Circumcisions? Really?!
givehim6 writes:
As much as I hate too I will agree with redvol, he's a great guy just wish he was not playing for the swamp lizards. But GO VOLS!
givehim6 writes:
As much as I hate too I will agree with redvol, he's a great guy just wish he was not playing for the swamp lizards. But GO VOLS!
TommyJack writes:
Kingsport: bwaaahahahahhaha meat cigar..hahahaha
EricBerryIsYourFather writes:
By the way, this guy can't even make a 900 on the SAT (which I think you get just by writing your name) but he is now performing surgical procedures? Something doesn't seem right about that.
BADGES0413 writes:
NEWS FLASH
Tim Tebow just circled the earth 720 times in less than one minute. Saves Lois Lane, stops the Earthquake in China, prevents the Cyclone in Myanmar and makes fuel go down to $2.99 a gallon.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
According to the article, "All five spent better than 24 hours on airplanes flying more than 9,000 miles to the Philippines and stayed at Uncle Richard's Home".
This is way too easy...I will relinquish my remaining 5 minutes of time to the fine Senator from New Hampshire.
FishTacos writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
mtnsvol44 writes:
You can say what you want about him but he is not robbing,stealing,assulting,etc,etc like some of his slimey cohorts.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
He plows! he spins! he jukes! He runs over you! He runs around you! He..........circumcizes?
tigervol9802 writes:
This was reported on ESPN.com last week....
Tebow is very much like Weurfell in that I really can't hate the guy off the field.
Still, this is really odd.........
FishTacos writes:
I do agree Tim TEBLOW is doing great things on and off the field. This is just really odd. He could have gone over to the Gulf Coast and helped out some fellow Americans rebuild their lives.
TommyJack writes:
Tebow needs a PR agent...seems to invite ridicule.
McMinnVol writes:
I dislike the Florida Gators football team as much as any of you, but I have the utmost respect for Tim Tebow. Great article and I am glad it was put on this site. Go Vols!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I think...I just can't....oh well......
imw8n4u writes:
This article reads like an SNL skit. However, getting beyond the obvious middle school jokes, he really is doing good work and should be commended.
BADGES0413 writes:
I wonder if he flinched like Shakey the Moil. I am surprised a Yamika will fit on his head.
TommyJack writes:
Kingsport: I like it. Cut TOMMYJACK down to lower case. lol
CrankE writes:
And they stayed at Uncle Richard's Home. You just can't make this stuff up.
To be the man, you gotta .... uh, ... circumcise the man?
99gator writes:
i understand that the whole country probably suffers from tebow fatigue.
on the field, bad mouth all day long if you want and twice on sunday.
off the field, he's a good kid.
i am as cynical as anyone when it comes to athletes and what they do off the field....but, tebow and wuerffel are not just talk.....which is why they carried some respect within the locker room.
they don't do like most of us and go to church for an hour and then do nothing. they actually do things in an attempt to help their fellow man.
even writing this, i feel a bit corny and foolish....but, they walk the walk.
VOLS85 writes:
Mcbrim...if you hadn't noticed already, Al Gore could not even carry this state in a Presidential election. He's a hypocrite and will perenially be #2. He belongs as much to us as that bottom dweller steve spurrier.
Catfish tonight, honey?
ETorange writes:
Just heard that Tebow won the Oscar Mayer contest and with that he gets to sing " My Dingaling" at half-time of the Georgia / Florida game
murrayvol writes:
Here's hoping Tebow will be inspired to concentrate more on his premed studies and missionary work at the expense of his time in UF's backfield.
BADGES0413 writes:
99, I guess the reason so many people respond the way they do (including me) is because he is so good. If we stop him on 4th down in the 06 game we win. Last year's game he gave our defense false hope early in the game the proceed to lay 59 on us.
lawvol writes:
I think that it is disgusting that you go to an impoverished community, and require the people in dire need of medical assistance to listen to a sermon before you help them. Nothing like coerced religion.
I also agree with the other posters as to why the H_LL this article is even on this website. Isn't it GoVolsXtra, and not AnyFreakinArticleRemotelyLinkedToAnyFreakinSchoolInTheCountryXtra? ESPN covers this kind of phooey enough.
mparker writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
mparker writes:
Tebow is probably an alright guy. I don't care for the relgious stuff, but that's his life, and he is welcome to it.
Still, I agree with the poster 'you can't make this stuff up'.
invisiblekid writes:
Murray, 12:26 post. Never mention that evil, vile woman's name again please.
There really shouldn't be an option to remove posts on this particular article. The powers that be at KNS that decides what gets published had to know what to expect when they put it up.
For some reason, I have the image of a flashing neon sign promoting "Buy One Circumcision Get Second Half Price at Uncle Richard's".
lawvol writes:
Mc-Florida homer,
1)Generally speaking, considering how many hoops you have to jump through (preliminary claims boards, etc.), and how difficult it is to actual prove medical malpractice, the only people taken to task by a lawyer are the ones that deserve it. The laws are in place to actually help the consumer of medical services. I guess you are just a big fan of bad doctors.
2)You completely missed the point of my post in your blind rant against lawyers. Tebow isn't going to the Phillipines because of his overwhelming need to help out with medical procedures that he is afraid to do in the U.S., he is going to spread the word. Making people who are "taking numbers" and "fighting to get on the [medical aid] bus" sit through a sermon before you help them is the religious equivalent to shooting fish in a barrel.
When you have something thoughtful to add, let me know. Don't let your jealousy of lawyers get in the way.
EricBerryIsYourFather writes:
It seems, mcbrim1998, that you are the one that doesn't like the posts so maybe you shouldn't read them. Also not sure where you got the vols avg SAT score so I'm not sure I believe you. Kindest Regards.
This article is in the SEC news section for those wondering why it is on this site.
VOLS85 writes:
I don't know if you've seen that bottom dweller since he came back to college football or not, but I will inform you that the good ole boy forgot how to win...and he hasn't beat fulmer in a couple years, and might I add that his record hasn't been shimmering...At least ole Phil has made it to the SEC championship game, spurrier hasn't even sniffed first in the east at the end of the season. Washed up much?
honey
lawvol writes:
Mc-retarded,
You are right. Each political candidate (right & left) isn't talking about medical insurance reform because medical costs aren't too high. Meanwhile, doctors aren't making $500k+ to run unnecessary tests and perform medically "simple" procedures because they can't just pass the cost along to the consumer. But whatever, you obviously have your finger on the pulse of society.
Also, most law firms have a pro-bono (you know, free service) requirement, because it is actually written into the field's professional requirements. While 50-100 hours of that kind of work by many many lawyers may not be a big deal to you, last time i checked, doctors have no such requirement.
Again, you missed the point completely because you are blinded by anyone commenting on something to do with religion. If the sermons were optional, say after the people were treated, I wouldn't have a problem with it. I don't like coercion whether it is in religion, the law, unnecessary medical procedures, or whereever it is used.
You shouldn't be punching your evangelism card at the expense of people who just want to get some help.
EricBerryIsYourFather writes:
mcbrim1998, In case you didn't know, this is a vols board so of course we are going to make fun of a florida QB that circumcises little boys. Bahahaha! It just doesn't get old!
lawvol writes:
Oh, and by the way, the lawyer who brought the suit in Knoxville exposing the "sunshine laws" issue and getting all those people held accountable for abusing city government, was not paid.
BOASoldier writes:
against lawvol is the only time I will ever agree with mcbrim1998 if it was budweiser sponsoring this medical event and they handed out free t-shirts... nothing would be said. If it was a credit card company handing out t-shirts and asking you to sign up for a card before getting medical help... no problems there (they go to college campuses and do similar events all the time) but mention one thing about God... not just any God cause had it been buddha it would have been cool... but mention something about a sermon of Jesus Christ being preached and the lawyers will come out of the wood work. I'm sorry lawvol but when lawyers are known for there work in helping humanity instead of suing McDonalds because of HOT coffee ... their opinion will mean something, until then ... the jokes and stereotypes will remain true
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Posted by mcbrim1998 on May 15, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by lawvol on May 15, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that it is disgusting that you go to an impoverished community, and require the people in dire need of medical assistance to listen to a sermon before you help them. Nothing like coerced religion.
--------
Thank God Tebow can go there and help with small medical proceedures and not worry about some stinking LAWYER taking him to task. Don't like the article or subsequent post, THEN DON'T READ THEM.
Geeze..it is so easy to get a law degree now a days.
Kindest Regards
And apparently its easy to get a medical degree now a day's too....at least if you are in the Philippines that is.
BOASoldier writes:
What about the lawyer who helped a lady sue a department store because she tripped over a child running through there ailse (it was her child) Or the lawyers that helped OJ get off... stand up men and women I tell you. One bad apple doesn't ruin the tree, but a tree is known by its fruit ... that last part is from the Bible (sue me) and if that is true then lawyers by in large are some horrible individuals.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
lawvol,
Good points on your last post. Still waiting for mcrim's response.
Must be googling as we speak.
lawvol writes:
Most people have always disliked the practice of shoving the message of any God down someone's throats. I believe Jesus multiplied the loaves of bread and the number of fish before he started his sermon. Wow, his followers were actually there voluntarily in the face of Roman persecution. Unlike an poor phillipino who just needs a flu shot and couldn't care less about a sermon on Jesus Christ.
Jokes and stereotypes of lawyers has nothing to do with the issue. I had the same view before my easy trip down law school lane where I was brain-washed by the ACLU.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
BOASoldier,
I partially agree with your 4:39 post. However, it isn't lawyers that want to go and sue companies. People launch lawsuits and solicit lawyers to help them. Are there some shady lawyers out there, absoultely. But there are also shady Dr's and preachers too.
What is interesting about Law, is that a good lawyer interperets the law. Good or bad...right or wrong, if they know what the law's say, they can manipulate it.
I don't condone lawyers that are shady. However, you can't lump them all together. There are many that do good. I have a contract with the Division of Mental Retardation Services here in TN. The Division has lawyers as do the family members fighting the system. Depending on what side you are on, dictates the "good" and the "bad".
I'm no lawyer, but judging them as "by and large horrible individuals" doesn't seem fair to me. I've known a lot of Christians that haven't bore good fruit, but that won't have me thinking the church is full of horrible individuals.
BOASoldier writes:
http://www.legalzoom.com/legal-articl...
yeah lawyers are great.... I understand why the horrible Ten Commandments were taken from public places. I mean think about it... thou shalt not kill, thow shalt not steal, thou shalt not committ adultery ... these are the people the lawyers are defending... we shouldn't make them feel bad about themselves. That's enough on this football article... back to the cutting board
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