One difference: It wasn’t schoolgirls, from Florida or anywhere else, who quivered at the sight of the quarterback icon.
It was media.
Calloused, cynical media. Many of them from Florida, yes, but still. Tebow is a Sunshine State legend, beloved by fans who pen songs and media who write sonnets and teammates who gush unashamedly about their leader.
"It’s kind of cool being with a rock star,” said Florida flanker Louis Murphy.
This is a devotion unlike what we know out West, where star quarterbacks are feted and revered and occasionally elected to Congress.
But Tebow’s celebrity seems to trump anything seen from the Rio Grande to the Dakotas. Tebow’s celebrity seems to involve Beatles-like worship.
"He gets absolutely mobbed when he goes to class,” said Sam Bradford, who also has a Heisman Trophy and has quarterbacked a team to this Big Bowl showdown for the national championship. "That’s not me.”
Quite the contrast of quarterbacks in the Big Bowl. While Tebow handles his spotlight with ease, Bradford would rather be taking snaps. While Tebow smiles and charms his adoring media, Bradford looks at his watch and wonders how much longer he has to endure the interrogation that goes with winning the grandest individual prize in sport.
But here’s good news for Soonerville: Comfort in the pocket, not on the podium, will determine this football game. Firing accurate passes, not witty one-liners, will put points on the Dolphin Stadium scoreboard.
No doubt this game will be determined by quarterback play. If the Sooners give Bradford time to throw, it’s doubtful Florida can win. If the Sooners allow Tebow to be two-dimensional, completing passes and turning all Larry Csonka to bounce off defenders, it’s doubtful Florida can lose.
And while being a rock star has its advantages, none of them actually pertain to a football game. The closest college player to Tebow I can think of, Archie Manning 40 years ago, went 22-10-1 as the Ole Miss quarterback, including 11-6-1 in SEC games. Not bad, but not Big Bowl.
So while Tebow admits he’s enjoying the moment — "I’m having fun; I’m going to remember it” — he also says, "It would be a lot more fun if we win.”
This is just the second meeting ever of Heisman winners. The first didn’t go so well for OU; Southern Cal and Matt Leinart routed Jason White 55-19 in this same venue. An eerie similarity — Leinart seemed much more at home in the spotlight than did White.
But make no mistake. Bob Stoops has the quarterback he wants. Both in style — running quarterbacks need not apply at OU — and in demeanor.
"He’s the best,” Stoops said of Sammy B., "meaning he’s just calm. The guy is humble. He just doesn’t let it bother him.”
Stoops is highly complimentary of Tebow. To be otherwise is goofy, but Stoops said, "I love what he represents for the college game and what he represents as a student-athlete.”
But Stoops likes Gary Cooper quarterbacks. Walk softly and carry a big throwing arm.
Stoops said he has talked with Bradford about his new celebrity status.
"I know it’s funny to think as a young person,” Stoops said, but "I experienced it even in 2000, that all of a sudden people treat you different when you win the national championship.
"And I’m sure the same has happened for him now that he’s a Heisman Trophy winner. People treat you different, and you’re sitting here thinking, ‘Hey, I’m the same guy. Nothing has changed.’ It takes awhile to get used to it.”
Tebow has gotten used to it. He has embraced it. He’s a fabulous face for college football. I don’t think his story or his personality is shtick. I think he probably is who everyone below the Mason-Dixon line thinks he is.
Bradford will have to get used to it. He might even embrace it.
But before those evolutions and decisions are made, there’s a football game to be played, which will be decided not at all by rock-star status.
Berry Tramel: 405-760-8080. Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1.
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Oh My, Just get this game overwith...I can't stand anymore hype from Fla's GB...he will mature one day..?? Sam has the spirit ti win and if he is protected, no one can beat him...so take a deep breath and pray a little that no one is hurt i n tis melieu.\Boo/Salem,MA.
Heard Lee Corso on the Herd. Believe it or not the Herd was giving the Sooners a lot of street
cred. He even mentioned them in the same sentence with USC and Fla., of course Corso had
to bring the guy back to earth, since he has done 2 of the Sooners games, where the defense
gave up 86 pts. total in those 2. After Corso explained it to the Herd and reality soaked in
that was the end of the street cred. for ole Stoopsy& Bret Baby. I don't think Lee will be
wearing a Sooner-Schooner Hat on Thursday. You know a former coach see's things that
media people are blind to, or cover-up, depending on where they are from.
John and Nocona, Barry is paid to write his opinion and to come up with catchy slogans!! On the otherhand he isn't paid to always write favorable toward OU or pick OU in every game!! That is his job, you damn Gooners cry anytime someone doesn't say good things about your team, suck it up and go play the damn game!!
Heard Lee Corso on the Herd. Believe it or not the Herd was giving the Sooners a lot of street
cred. He even mentioned them in the same sentence with USC and Fla., of course Corso had
to bring the guy back to earth, since he has done 2 of the Sooners games, where the defense
gave up 86 pts. total in those 2. After Corso explained it to the Herd and reality soaked in
that was the end of the street cred. for ole Stoopsy& Bret Baby. I don't think Lee will be
wearing a Sooner-Schooner Hat on Thursday. You know a former coach see's things that
media people are blind to, or cover-up, depending on where they are from.
tom, OU fans, coaches, and players whine more than any people in the world they even whine about other people whining they need to suck it up and try and accutally win this game so they dont whine about that all year.
soonersuck, anywhere but norman - Jan 7, 2009 at 10:30 am
Berry T, is always trying to come up with some cutsie slogan like : sudden sam (died) now it's big bowl (dumb) and he has such a hard dawn for Tim T. And he pick FU! WTF. Hope he gets replaced soon or sent to do Jr. High football.
To think, OU offered the job to Mack once upon a time. Boy, are we lucky. Mack's creepy, droaning voice and whining gets really old. Look for him to retire in the next year or two. Can't take the pressure. Makes him act crazy.
Nice going Mack---Preach character and integrity to your players, and then show that you have none of either by not honoring the verbal agreement you agreed to in the BCS-AFCA contract---you might try calling Bob Stoops to find out how a person of character handles something like this---
The buildup to this game reminds me of a few years ago when they said Nebraska was too one-dimensional to play Florida and midwestern teams couldn't survive a Gator onslaught. Dr. Tom won his second national championship and Florida staggered back to campus wondering where the train was that hit them.
Gerald, Miami(OK, not that burg in Florida)
Barry, why aren't you reporting on the rumor that Tebow is going to come out of the closet if they win on Thursday? I can't get anyone to report on this story.
BCS Championship →When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
→Where: Dolphin Stadium, Miami
→TV: FOX (Cox 12)
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cred. He even mentioned them in the same sentence with USC and Fla., of course Corso had
to bring the guy back to earth, since he has done 2 of the Sooners games, where the defense
gave up 86 pts. total in those 2. After Corso explained it to the Herd and reality soaked in
that was the end of the street cred. for ole Stoopsy& Bret Baby. I don't think Lee will be
wearing a Sooner-Schooner Hat on Thursday. You know a former coach see's things that
media people are blind to, or cover-up, depending on where they are from.
cred. He even mentioned them in the same sentence with USC and Fla., of course Corso had
to bring the guy back to earth, since he has done 2 of the Sooners games, where the defense
gave up 86 pts. total in those 2. After Corso explained it to the Herd and reality soaked in
that was the end of the street cred. for ole Stoopsy& Bret Baby. I don't think Lee will be
wearing a Sooner-Schooner Hat on Thursday. You know a former coach see's things that
media people are blind to, or cover-up, depending on where they are from.
Gerald, Miami(OK, not that burg in Florida)