Tebowmania and Linsanity in New York

New York. The city with the bright lights, the big market, and the center of attention. It is probably every person's dream to succeed and conquer the Big Apple. New York, the city of dreams, a place wherein you can make every fantasy a reality or a place where greed, power, and money takes over? Oh the dilemma. 

Sports is at the center of the Big Apple. Arguably the most passionate fans, they have a wide variety of professional teams to rout for. The Yankees used to headline sports page with their fantastic play, major signings, or October collapses but suddenly the Knicks made waves through a bandwagon called, Linsanity. 

The rise of Linsanity has been well documented. People riding on the popularity of a Harvard graduate who seemed to flourish under the bright lights and the huge expectations. When your in New York, everyone's eyes are on you. Every night will be a battle not only against your opponent but also against the passionate and very harsh fans. When your in the Big Apple, you were brought there to succeed and not to fail. Jeremy Lin indeed has done that in leading the struggling Knicks into playoff contention despite the inconsistent play of All-Stars Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. It is not very often where you see someone, especially a young player, do to handle the spotlight day in and day out and to succeed doing it. 

Once Linsanity erupted, everyone jumped in. T-shirts, jerseys, caps, among many other souvenirs and memorabilia skyrocketed. Its value up 100, 200, even 300% because of its popularity. Never did you see a Jeremy Lin jersey or poster before Linsanity. 

On the other hand, there's one man trying to share that same spotlight as Jeremy Lin. Something probably even larger than life and that's Tebowmania. 

Tim Tebow, arguably the most successful collegiate American Football player in history, created a phenomenon even greater than that of Linsanity with his passionate play with the struggling NFL franchise, the Denver Broncos. After graduating the University of Florida with a Heismann Trophy (the first true sophomore to win it), two National Championships, and a ton of records, Tebow was dubbed as a great football player, not a quarterback. Amidst all his success in both the high school and collegiate level, he just didn't cut it out for Pro Scouts. His style unsuited from the Pro Game. Something he's gotten use to. 

Tebow was placed as a second, third, even fourth round selection for the NFL Draft. That probably isn't the way to treat the greatest collegiate player in history. Someone whose impact off the field is as great as what he does every game. When the Broncos decided to take that risk, they selected Tebow with the 25th pick in the 1st round of the draft. 

After the selection was made, critics and fans continued to express their disbelief with him. They continued to judge him for what he was instead of what he could do. Tebow was strapped on the sidelines in his rookie year and the first several games of his sophomore year and only appeared during blowouts and running situations. As the performance of Kyle Orton slid, fans of the Tebow pressured the Broncos to start the kid, and they did. 

Tebow often started the game sluggishly with his team falling into huge deficits but that was the start of Tebowmania. A national phenomenon that would sweep the nation. By the fourth quarter, he would instigate a comeback and most often that not, they won. We wouldn't know if it was by pure luck, divine intervention, or just his skill that got the job done. It didn't matter as long as he continued to win games. Games that would ultimately lead them to capture the AFC West division title. 

Despite his success, Tebow was disregarded. The Broncos signed Peyton Manning to a lucrative deal and left their Savior in the trade block. They ultimately decided to trade him to the New York Jets. 

And here we are, two of the biggest phenomenons in all of sports in one city. A city ready for championships aside from the Yankees. A city ready to harshly judge every mistake and celebrate after every win. Both dubbed as Saviors of struggling franchises share the spotlight on the grandest city of them all, New York a concrete jungle where dreams are made off. I know both are up for the challenge to lead their respective teams to a championship but we will just have to wait and see on how they'll flourish under the bright lights or shy away from the spotlight  but one thing is certain, they do things for the glory of God. They don't do it for all the fame, success, and recognition but to be an instrument of his love. 

Two great Christians being great role models on how to succeed not only with skill but also through faith. 

Underdog or Just Prepared?

Making the most out of every opportunity; that's what life is about. You may not be blessed with talent but hardwork is the key to success. As it goes, hardwork beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Amidst all uncertainty, you have to be ready to grab that opportunity and never let it go. It's your time to shine. 

Linsanity

Life isn't fair. Oftentimes, talent edges hardwork. Critics harshly judge the up-and-coming superstars. Equality isn't made possible because of binaries. Yes, those are the things that Jeremy Lin has faced throughout his life; a life filled with his share of ups and a ton of lows.

Jeremy Lin was a Harvard economics graduate who coincidently led the Harvard Crimson to its best record in school history during his senior year. Lin is a mix of sheer intelligence, a great work ethic, and humility. A stereotypical athlete has none of the three. Oftentimes, they heavily rely on their talent to get by. They never work hard because they've always gotten away with everything- academics and rigorous training. They are never humble because they always think they're the greatest. They are proud by the fact that they have accomplished everything by themselves and how they wanted to.

Look where are they now...

Jeremy Lin's story is the greatest story during this lockout-shortened NBA season. Who would have expected a regular and undrafted joe from Harvard to turn around the most famous NBA franchise? Who would have thought that an Asian-American could make a huge impact in the game of basketball? Who would have thought that an undrafted player would lead his team to a seven game winning streak minus the team's two star players?

Nobody.

Linsanity, as many of his fans call it, has lit up the bright lights and reenergized the crowd over at the Madison Square Garden. With every dazzling lay-up and alley-oop pass, the crowd goes ecstatic. After every dramatic win, a comeback against the Nets, a career-high 38 points against the Lakers, and the game-winning three-pointer against the Raptors, Linsanity grows larger than life.

To be honest, I thought that New Jersey game was just a coincidence; a man who made the most out of the opportunity. Turns out, I was wrong. Jeremy Lin is doing a Tom Brady and a Tim Tebow in his constant struggle to fight critics and he like all the great football players mentioned above, have proven them wrong.

Lin wasn't the most talented nor was the best player but I can assure you he was the hardest worker. He consistently worked his tail-end off not only to prove his doubters wrong but to be a pleasing instrument to God. He was once quoted saying, "I'm not working hard  and practicing day in and day out so that I can please other people. My audience is God."  That goes to show his humility and his submissiveness that everything comes from Him and he is simply just repaying.

Like Brady and Tebow, Jeremy Lin has a great mind- a psychological asset which sets him apart from many of the players today. He is mentally tough- never giving up on any obstacle. Strong enough to remain confident amidst all failure and disappointment. Hopeful enough to shine when given an opportunity. Jeremy Lin will NOT give up this opportunity. This is the time that he has been waiting for- his lifelong dream.

Linsanity will continue if Jeremy Lin continues what he's doing. He won't win all the games on the basketball court but he has won all of us over with his talent, grittiness, hardwork, dedication, and humility. He has overcame the most difficult part of his life and now just laughs it off. He gives us hope; a hope to succeed and never give up amidst any situation.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

"The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.