Updated Oct. 22
I wasn't going to do it. I wasn't going to link the Tim Tebow debate -- should he have played against LSU after that concussion? -- to Christianity.
It felt inappropriate, even disrespectful, to acknowledge the elephant in the room -- that some Tebow supporters literally would believe God had protected Tebow from LSU. Out of common decency, I wasn't going to go there.
But then you went there for me.
God help me, I love Hate Mail.
From: Joshua
Who are you to decide what was the right call and what was not when Tebow played against LSU? Maybe, just maybe, Tebow wanted this as a further platform for Christianity. What better way to say God heals all things? This could be bigger than you care to admit.
You're getting dangerously close to the beliefs of that dangerous woman who founded the Christian Scientist cult movement. You do realize, of course, that devout parents occasionally refuse medical care for their (normally) sick children because they feel God would heal the child -- and sometimes their kids die because of it. And when that happens, those parents should be neutered, spayed and then jailed for life. Ask me if I'm kidding.
From: Tom S.
You are an absolute moron. Which comes as no surprise from the looks of your photo. You see, Tebow's well-being is in the hands of a higher authority.
Have a vasectomy, Tom. They're fun!
From: Jiffy Jeff
Hey, remember that time you shaved your legs so you'd run faster?
Don't get cocky, Jiffy Jeff. I included your note merely for comic relief. It's getting a little heavy around here.
From: Ted McCaffrey
Any media member with any credibility who reads your ridiculous story on Tebow will see right through this and ignore your very feeble attempt at self-promotion.
Nope. I was invited onto radio shows all week, all over the country. And if you thought my column was harsh on Urban Meyer, you should have heard me on the air. I was brutal. Just spreading the word of self-promotion, one major radio market at a time.
From: Deborah
Thank you, Dr. Know Nothing. When is it OK for him to play? People suffer concussions daily, just not under the scrutiny of the national media. My own son suffered one riding a bike. Did I tell him he had to wait two-plus weeks to ride the bike again? No.
I hope your son got your husband's common sense.
From: Sean
Not sure why you have your own Hate Mail following. From the looks of it you're just some 40-something personality lost between "has-been" and "wants-to-be." I suggest you go with the balding look. Shave the male tickler off your chin and look forward to the golden years.
Sorry, Sean. I don't date men. Better luck with your next flirtatious e-mail to a big-time sportswriter.
From: Dan
You constipated douche. I'm wondering if your head is deformed like that because you are so full of crap? You may not like Mangini, but Cleveland's shame cannot compare with the shame the CBS payroll department must feel every two weeks having to cut you a check. After reading each of your articles, I imagine myself leaving a flaming bag of feces on your doorstep.
What's with your infatuation with dung?
From: Jeremy
So you're the guy who thinks he's a badass? You're a piece of s---. When I see your ugly face I want to smash it. I wish we could meet up so I can see how much of a badass you really are.
Hitting the "send" button on that e-mail was probably the biggest thrill of your sad little life. Me, I spar with pro boxers and MMA fighters. So writing this response didn't quite thrill me.
From: Jimmy
Dodd, Freeman, Judge, Prisco, Doyel, Ratto, Parrish, Elling ... One of these things is not like the others.
It's not true. I just LOOK taller.
From: Adi
I have a hard time believing you would know more about Tebow's health and welfare than the doctors and trainers who advised Urban Meyer. He had 100 percent medical clearance from independent doctors including a concussion specialist at the University of Pittsburgh, former college coaches Lou Holtz and Earle Bruce, and even family members.
I cannot believe my luck, but I looked you up, Adi -- I thought you were a girl; oops -- and found you there on your tiny college's debate team in Georgia. You must suck at it, too, if you think you can win the Tim Tebow debate by citing that goober Lou Holtz.
From: Gator fan
You suck! This is the worst article I have ever read on this site. You sound like Karl Rove.
I sound like ... who? And how can you say this was the worst article you've ever read on this site? Clearly you need to read more.
From: J Funke
I agree with you 100 percent. My daughter received two concussions in four weeks playing soccer almost five years ago. The first one, she was knocked out by a kicked ball to the face. She was cleared to play in 10 days after she told the doc she wasn't having headaches anymore. After playing almost the entire game with no obvious hits to the head, she reinjured the brain to the point that she still suffers from depression, learning difficulties and other post-concussion symptoms. I just wish Tebow and his advisors would have taken this opportunity to set an example in treating concussions.
There are a lot of Florida fans who think your daughter is soft, you're an idiot and Urban Meyer is a great man. And they're wrong on all three.
From: Chris
Are you a doctor, sir? I didn't think so. What makes you qualified to comment on a medical condition and decision about which you know nothing. Nothing? I thought so. Anyone can write an opinion article. You have proven that. You have as much brains as you have hair. Oops -- did I say that out loud?
You did, and I can picture you clapping your hands with glee after coming up with that whopper of an insult. You're too mean, sir. But quit clapping -- you look like a schoolgirl.
From: Kim H.
I was waiting to see what some of the self-professed experts in the media would say after this game, those such as Doyel who sanctimoniously preached beforehand that Tebow shouldn't play. Well, now I see the perfect example -- it's Doyel himself, still blabbering some inane nonsense while clinging to a sinking ship after he has been shown to be wrong.
I realize this argument goes over your head, Kim, but try to keep up: If your son runs into traffic blindfolded and lives to tell about it, would that success prove that running into traffic blindfolded was a good idea?
From: Nicholas Spyker
The most acclaimed doctors in the United States cleared Tebow to play, along with his parents' blessing, but Urban Meyer is the one at fault? I will not be reading your column anymore -- because of the absolute complete disregard for the facts, and because I refuse to look at your attempt at a serious picture of yourself as a national columnist. I can't wait until next year when the SEC is covered exclusively by ESPN, and I won't have to get on CBSSports.com anymore. I'm not even a Florida fan, and thanks to you, I'm not a fan of CBS either.
Does your mommy still help you in and out of the bathtub, you baby?
From: Jan M.
Where did you get your medical degree? This is nothing more than irresponsible journalism at its worst. I know the Tebow family and I can assure you that this was a decision that was not made lightly.
I bow before you and your deep contacts to the Tebow family. I bet you tell 10 people a day that you know the Tebow family. Sucks to have nothing to brag about in your own life, doesn't it?
From: Dave
As a neurologist, I see hundreds of people whose lives have been devastated by concussions and the after-effects. The NCAA needs to set very clear policy about return to play so that it really isn't a coach's decision or a player's decision.
You may be a neurologist, but God ordained that Tebow would be healthy, and God was right. This time.
From: Jim Doyle
You're a moron. Try learning something about concussions before making such a fool of yourself. If someone is cleared to play by competent doctors, they aren't going to get any more cleared by spending more weeks on the sideline resting. Once they've reached a point of being cleared, that's as good as they're going to get.
You win the weekly dumb award, Jimbo, which means you just embarrassed the Doyle name. But since it's not MY name, I don't care. Good job, Jim. I hate the name "Doyle." Looks wrong.
From: Justin C.
I hate UF. That being said, college football is quickly boring me seeing as how I'm an FSU fan. So, since I could give a crap about college football this year ... when is your next fight? Are you still in fighting shape, or will you have to go to Gainesville and spar with Albert to tone up?
I've been asked to box an NFL player during a "Pros vs. Joes" sort of thing at Pro Bowl week in Miami. I'm training for that at the moment. Which makes this next e-mail sort of interesting -- to me, anyway.
From: Jonathan Canoe
At what age if ever should this decision belong to Tebow? You box, and it's dangerous. There are many medical opinions that boxing should be banned because of the long-term effects. Can I presume that you agree that whether to step into the ring is a decision a boxer must make? You tread upon a slippery slope, my friend. Tebow is an adult. It's his choice. You agree, but your holier-than-thou attitude is getting in the way. Take a step back, do some introspection and admit you're wrong on this one; or start writing about how boxing needs to be banned. You can't have it both ways. Wait, you're a sports columnist. Of course you can have it both ways. Sorry, my bad.
No worries. Better luck next time.
