New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, already a polarizing figure to NFL fans, has agreed to speak at the First Baptist Church of Dallas on April 28. What's the big deal about that, you ask?
Well, the church's pastor, Rev. Robert Jeffress, has taken some unpopular stances over the last couple of years.
"There are a disproportionate amount of assaults against children by homosexuals than by heterosexuals, you can’t deny that," Jeffress said in July. "And the reason is very clear: Homosexuality is perverse, it represents a degradation of a person’s mind and if a person will sink that low and there are no restraints from God’s law, then there is no telling to whatever sins he will commit as well."
But wait, that's not all.
In a 2011 interview, Jeffress said that Islam and Mormonism were religions that are "heresy from the pit of hell," and criticized the Catholic Church as "the genius of Satan" and "corrupted" by cults.
So, what will Tebow say when he speaks at the church? Who knows. He has spoken at other churches in recent weeks, with his talks focusing on being outspoken about your Christianity, not hiding who you are. Maybe he will speak against what Jeffress has said in the past. Maybe he won't mention it at all.
Until then, the speculation will continue. And you have to figure the Jets, who are trying to trade Tebow, will keep a close eye on what he says, hoping he doesn't say anything that will hurt his trade value.