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KISS Rocker Gene Simmons Defends Tim Tebow’s Public Faith

Photo from Tim Tebow’s Instagram

KISS Rocker Gene Simmons Defends Tim Tebow’s Public Faith

By Movieguide® Staff

Outspoken Christian and activist Tim Tebow hasn’t played in the NFL since 2015 but surprised fans after it was announced he will sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a tight end. However, not everyone is thrilled at Tebow’s return. 

While on the Denver Broncos in 2010 and 2011, Tebow’s faith in God was apparent, and players and fans alike ridiculed his public display of Christianity.  

With Tebow returning to the NFL–and negative naysayers already piling on–KISS lead singer and bassist Gene Simmons defended Tebow. 

“He was widely criticized and made fun of simply because he is a man of faith who believed in his Christian values,” Simmons said of Tebow on Twitter. “Shame on the NFL and the rest of the world for stooping so low.”

In 2011, Football analyst Randy Cross said that many people’s harsh assessment of Tebow was solely because of his faith in God. 

“People, especially in the media, root against him because of what he stands for,” Cross told USA Today. “My personal belief is there are people in the media, people in the stands, who are predisposed to see a guy like this fail … just because he’s so public about the way he feels.”

Jacksonville head coach Urban Meyer, who coached Tebow when he was playing in college on the Florida Gators, said he is still debating adding Tebow to the team. 

“I have not decided if we’re going to do that or not yet,” Meyer told Chris Collinsworth. “Getting close. I got to make a decision here pretty soon.”

Tebow would join rookie prospect Trevor Lawrence, whom Jacksonville drafted to become their star quarterback. Lawrence, who played on Clemson, is also known for his faith in Christ.  

Movieguide® recently reported on the culture of Clemson’s locker room under head coach Dabo Swinney: 

Outspoken Christian and head coach for Clemson’s football team, Dabo Swinney, encouraged a 15-year-old fan to center his life on Christ during a radio show.

“The most important thing is you were created on purpose,” Swinney told a young man named Jordan. “You have a thumb print. There are billions of people in this world, and you are the only one with your thumb print. And God intended it to be that way, so you are the only one that can leave the imprint that He has given you.

“If you will build your life on a foundation of faith, then you will know true peace and happiness. If you build it on anything else, or seek happiness in anything else, then you are going to always be let down,” Swinney added.

Swinney also emphasized his reliance on God’s word and talked to the teen about God’s peace, even during times of hopelessness.

“One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11,” Swinney said. “When I was 15 I had a lot of, man there was a lot of anxiety and like, ‘What is my future and how am I going to do this and that?’ But Jeremiah 29:11 says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you.’ Not that I think I know. God says, ‘For I know the plans I have for – not everyone – for you.’ Those are plans for good, not disaster. Plans to give you a future and a hope.”

Swinney continued: “I love that Bible verse because if you really grab on to that, you are going to have some challenges, you are going to have some disappointments, you are going to have some setbacks, you are going to have some failures and you are going to have some successes, but if you can hang on to that, God never says, ‘Oops!’ God never says, ‘My bad!’ Then again, if there is hope in the future, then there is power in the present to deal with whatever comes your way. There is nothing that is going to happen to you that you and God can’t handle together.”

In addition to athletics, Tebow dipped his toe into the movie world by executive producing the faith-based movie RUN THE RACE.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.