The Christian Side Hug: Did Tebow miss the memo?

So I’m starting to worry about Tim Tebow.  No, not about his upcoming game against Alabama—I think he’ll win that.  And not about his football future—I think the Jaguars will reach unnecessarily high and draft him in the first round.  But about his soul.

I know what you’re thinking; if anyone’s soul is safe, it’s Tim Tebow’s.  The kid puts Bible verses on his eye black, uses his Heisman trophy as a platform to spread the Gospel, and spends his summers helping circumcise those who are less fortunate.  Indeed, as Bill Plaschke has rightly noted, no one doubts the greatness of young Tebow.

But that’s what makes his most recent actions all the more troubling.  As I’m sure everyone saw (and if you didn’t just look to the left), this weekend Tebow hugged Florida coach Urban Meyer at his last home game as a Gator.  From the front.  Twice.

You’re probably thinking no big deal, right?  Wrong.  As I learned just a few days ago, and as someone as righteous as Tebow surely is aware, front hugging is a very big deal indeed.  Just take it from a group of Christian rappers (and soon to be YouTube sensations) at the Encounter Generation youth conference: The only way to hug—the only way Jesus would hug—is from the side.  You have to leave room for the Holy Spirit.

Now if someone like heathen Jimmy Clausen had transgressed by front hugging, I wouldn’t think twice.  But once Tim Tebow lets himself slip, we’re all in trouble.  So, I beg you, Mr. Tebow, watch the video below—memorize its lyrics—and please, next time Urban Meyer comes up to you and is "front hug bound with that look in his eye," do us all a favor and turn to the side.