Tim Tebow: Fighting Human Trafficking

8/31/2022

Former quarterback Tim Tebow will never forget the day he received an overseas phone call from his father informing him that he had just bought 4 girls. These girls were victims of human trafficking, and Robert Ramsey Tebow II had just purchased these women in hopes of freeing them from the vicious system. Tim Tebow was nothing short of dumbfounded. “‘I was in my mid-20s at the time and completely unaware such a transaction was even possible… Surely I had misunderstood him.” Tebow states. 

Tebow was known to promote Christianity and religion to his audience. He famously wrote bible verses on his eye black. Tebow’s foundation, the Tim Tebow Foundation, is both grounded and informed by his faith. After learning about the reality of human trafficking, Tebow and his foundation declared that “evil triumphs when good men do nothing.” Since then, Tebow began working to eradicate human trafficking. 

Tebow characterized his father's decision as “split second. How would the women adapt to their new lives? Where would they go? Tebow’s foundation would look to eventually tackle all such issues but first, the Tebows went to work to provide programs that would serve as safe homes for these girls. This program has evolved into the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF) Protection Center. The program provides housing for up to 40 rescued human trafficking victims, as they acclimate to their new lives.

Tebow on FOX NEWS voiced why human trafficking is such an important and profound cause to him. He for one tied his duty as a Christian, following what he saw as God’s will. He said “Every person on this earth is created in the image of God – uniquely, beautifully, and perfectly. Their value is priceless, and they are not for sale.”

The Tim Tebow Foundation had actually been working in battling human trafficking as early as 2013. They however chose to keep their operations under the radar to protect the identities and security of the victims they serve. However as the operation increased in scale, he decided to make his efforts public. He declared, “‘We cannot stand silently and passively watch as evil rages on.’” 

Tebow shared his strong motivation to keep his foundation going, “To be honest, I get overwhelmed as well, but then I remember that we serve a big God. The God who created the universe rose from the grave, and defeated death once and for all is the same One who is fighting even now for the 40 million trapped in slavery around the world.”

Tim Tebow has been receiving support to boost initiatives. In 2021, the state of Tennessee launched an initiative to grant $5 million to various organizations fighting human trafficking. The Tebow Foundation received $1.2 million from this budget. The funds received from this 2021 Tennessee grant program directly went to the Protection Center houses. Even in a well-developed country like the United States, Tennessee’s assessments found that human trafficking occurs in most of their counties. 

Tim Tebow’s efforts in battling human trafficking embody dedication and conviction beyond what is expected of someone with his caliber of achievements and wealth. Many famous athletes create less-than-genuine charities as a way to boost their public impression or brand or for tax exemptions. Tebow’s genuine drive to help others however is undeniable. He worked without praise and recognition for his philanthropic acts for around 7 years solely in the interest of the people he was aiding.

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Works Cited

Allison, Natalie. “Gov. Bill Lee Allocates Millions for Anti-Trafficking Groups, Including Tim

Tebow’s Organization.” The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessean, 14 May 2021, www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2021/05/14/tim-tebow-foundation-gets-millions-tennessee-trafficking-organization/5062106001/.

Mackey, Maureen. “Tim Tebow’s Faith-Filled Fight against Human Trafficking: “Called To” Do This.” Fox News, 5 Aug. 2022, www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/tim-tebows-faith-fight-human-trafficking-called-do.

Tebow, Tim. “Tim Tebow: Human Trafficking Is Intolerable – It’s Time to Say, “Not on Our Watch.”” Fox News, 13 Aug. 2020, www.foxnews.com/opinion/tim-tebow-human-trafficking-not-on-our-watch.