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Tim Tebow – How Do We Define Greatness?

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The following op-ed was submitted by sports agent Eugene T. Lee.  Mr. Lee is President/CEO – ETL Associates, Inc. and may found on Twitter – @EugeneTLee.

Has there been a more polarizing figure in professional sports over the past year than Tim Tebow? Whether it was his string of fourth quarter comebacks, thrilling overtime playoff victory over the Steelers or public displays of his faith, the name Tim Tebow generates a wide range of reactions from the general public.

Tim Tebow’s faith is an integral part of Tim Tebow the player, the man and the human being. In this day and age where media outlets are littered with player indiscretions and mistakes, it’s refreshing to see one man who practices what he preaches. Tim Tebow is a man who works hard on and off the field; who utilizes his celebrity to help those less fortunate, including sick children in the Philippines (for whom he helped build a children’s hospital).

In this era where many of our revered sports stars are defined solely by their athletic accomplishments on the field, Tim Tebow is a man who seeks to do more with the athletic talents he has been given – a man who realizes the obligation to use his platform as an NFL player to make a positive impact in people’s lives off the field. As his college coach, Urban Meyer, once said, Tim Tebow lives his life to make the lives of others better.

When talking about religion and faith, many times public opinion is divided. As a man of faith myself, I can totally understand and appreciate Tim Tebow’s authentic displays of thanks and praise. However, regardless of your religious beliefs, Tim Tebow must be respected and admired for having the courage to share his convictions with millions of people all across the world. In this era of me, me, me, it’s inspiring to see one man who humbly leads by example on and off the field. Tim Tebow may never be an All-Pro NFL quarterback, but he has become an All-World human being, and at the end of the day, which do we as a society value more?

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.

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