By Bud Kennedy
bud@star-telegram.com
For what it's worth, the originator of "What Would Jesus Do?" said Jesus would never play football.
Too reckless and gruesome, the Rev. Charles M. Sheldon of Kansas said in 1900.
But that was before heavy padding, shock-absorbing helmets or quarterbacks who cited Scripture in their passing stats.
Now that Denver Broncos overtime hero Tim Tebow has written John 3:16 all over the records -- 316 yards, a 31.6 average, a 31.6 TV rating -- pro football's first overtime hero says that's not a coincidence.
"I'm really kind of awe-struck about all this," said Raymond Berry, the Texan and former New England Patriots coach who caught 12 passes in 1958 to help the Baltimore Colts win football's "Greatest Game Ever Played."
"The circumstance of all this is remarkable. It can't be any accident."
Berry, 78, grew up as a high school football coach's son and Disciples of Christ church kid in Paris, Texas. He has said he rededicated his life to Christ that summer after the Colts' championship, but he always modeled quiet faith, more leader than lightning rod.
With former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach away on business and unavailable to talk about Tebow, I thought of Berry.
He lives in Tennessee now. On Feb. 5, he'll present the championship trophy at the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
"I really admire [Tebow] as a competitor," Berry said.
"Even more, he's a tremendous influence. I've never seen a phenomenon like this. All these 316s -- this is not just his doing."
Berry said Tebow, the son of a pastor and evangelist, shouldn't worry about critics mocking his faith and "Tebowing" prayers.
"In six years as an NFL head coach, I never said one word about being a Christian," Berry said.
"Still, the ridicule was constant. People will make fun of him just because he's a Christian."
Former pro football place-kicker Todd Peterson, 41, worked in Christian ministry throughout his 12-year career.
"Tim's a passionate guy because that's what you want in a quarterback," Peterson said from Atlanta.
Tebow is more dramatic than stars of yesteryear because "our culture has changed and times have changed," Peterson said.
He said the "3:16" coincidences earned attention.
"There are lots of yucky stories out there in sports," Peterson said.
"Tim's a good story."
I think it's also called the good news.
Bud Kennedy's column appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 817-390-7538; Twitter: @budkennedy
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