Miracle Man Tebow leads Denver to Playoffs

When Drew Brees’ name is entered in a Google search it comes up with 1.73 million results. And why shouldn’t it? Brees is finishing one of the greatest seasons in National Football League history. He just broke Dan Marino’s 27 year-old record for passing yards in a season. His career awards include NFL Comeback Player of the Year, NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.

In Contrast to Brees, when Denver Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow’s name is entered in Google his name comes up with 219 MILLION results. That’s over 126 times more than Brees. Tebow has two NFL awards to his name, both Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards he received in 2010.

The easiest way to explain the discrepancy between the two searches: Tim Tebow is a phenomenon. Tebow is bigger than the game.

For instance here is a stat line from one of his starts this season: 2-8 for 69 yards and a touchdown. That game was one of the lead highlights on ESPN’s SportCenter that night. Most NFL quarterbacks would call that a tough quarter.

That game, as much as any, fueled Tebow fans and Tebow haters alike. It was a 17-10 win versus division rival Kansas City. The Chiefs game was Tebow’s fourth start of the season. A season in which Tebow lead the Broncos to a 7-1 record after he took over as the starting quarterback.

Tebow supporters would point out the fact that he took a listless 1-2 team and led them to the top of the AFC West while throwing 10 touchdowns compared to two interceptions in the aforementioned 7-1 start.

Tebow doubters might point out that he still has a career completion percentage of below 50 percent and his throwing motion and style of play are not exactly prototypical of an NFL quarterback.

“That elongated delivery and the fact he had to take snaps under center on full display for everybody to see and it brought to light all the negatives,” NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. told the Orlando Sentinel after Tebow’s predraft workout.

Tebow, one of the most decorated college athletes in NCAA history, came into the NFL as a big question mark at the quarteback position. At the University of Florida he played in the spread offense, which the quarterback lines up in the shotgun and utilizes the horizontal passing game rather than the vertical passing game which many professional scouts prefer. Tebow was also a master at running Urban Meyer’s read option offense, which Tebow would have the option of giving the ball to the running back or holding on to it to run. Both offenses have proven to be very successful in the college game but typically quarterbacks in those systems do not translate very well to the professional game.

Kiper projected Tebow to be taken anywhere from the second to the fourth rounds…as a halfback.

“If you draft him as an H-back and you make him your Wildcat quarterback and use some versatility, fine. You don’t draft a Wildcat quarterback in the second round,” said Kiper.

Through the first season as a full time starter it looks as if Tebow is making Kiper eat his words.

“”I’m just going to compete, go in there and get some playing time and just get better. Be part of a franchise and a great organization. That’s what I’m excited about,” Tebow told the USA Today after being taken with the 25^th selection in the first round by the Denver Broncos.

Tebow competed so well he convinced the Broncos front office to part ways with incumbent starter Kyle Orton and implement Tebow as their leading man. Not only did they trade away their starter, but they traded away their offense.

With Tebow at the helm Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy added packages to his offense to suit Tebow’s unique abilities.

“We had done some option stuff last year with Tim so I knew the basics. But it was like I was in second grade just learning some things. As the weeks went on, we kept building off it,” McCoy told FOXSports.com about trying to add the option offense to the NFL.

So far there is not enough of a sample size to be definitive if the option or spread offense can work in the NFL. Nor can anyone be sure if Tebow can keep up the blazing hot start he’s had to his career, but Tebow’s early success gives hope to countless option quarterbacks that may be looking at being forced to another position at the next level.

Tebow’s talents are not just limited to the option offense. When forced to throw the ball in crunch time Tebow has been unmistakably clutch. Almost resembling Brees with his abilities to put the ball up in the fourth quarter. Over that 7-1 stretch the Broncos were either tied or trailing in six of the eight games. In the fourth quarter and overtime this season Tebow has a 56 completion percentage and a quarterback rating of 91.7.  This has led football fans in Denver and across the nation to refer to end of Denver game minutes as  “Tebow Time” and the young QB as “Miracle Man.”

Tim Tebow Highlights Video

“Where Tim has really done a great job is, because of the person he is, the team is not waiting for bad things now. It’s, ‘Who’s going to make something good happen?’ and having that confidence to be able to make it happen,” Broncos executive vice president and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway told FOXSports about his current quarterbacks ability to make plays when it matters most.

Even the doubters are having a tough time arguing with the results these days. Why not jump on the bandwagon? But be aware…it’s getting pretty full (just check Google). America is just having a tough time turning away from this feel good story.

Says Tebow “They’re going to get my heart and soul and everything that comes with me.”

–Andrew Isenberg

Fritz Waldvogel up for Gagliardi Trophy

Editor’s Note:

The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the top college football player in Division 1.  Division 3′s answer to the Heisman is the Gagliardi Trophy, named for St. John’s coaching legend John Gagliardi.  Our vote for the Gagliardi Trophy winner this year is University of St. Thomas’ star wide-receiver, kick-off returner, punt returner, Fritz Waldvogel.  Waldvogel has re-written the record books at St. Thomas for career, all-purpose yards, receiving yards, receiving TDs, kick-off return yards and TDs, punt return yards and TDs, and more.  He’s a 2-time winner of the Most Valuable Player award in the MIAC.  At 5’9″ tall and 170 pounds, he frequently proves that the smallest player on the field can have the biggest impact.  Quick to give credit to teammates and coaches, Waldvogel has had another great year to cap a stellar career at St. Thomas.

The Gagliardi Trophy is partially decided by fan vote.  You can vote for Fritz Waldvogel at the D3Football.com site.  Read more about Fritz in an article we published earlier on SportsFeelGoodStories.com below.  Be sure to check out Fritz’s play in high school in the video below.

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At 5’2” tall and 105 pounds, Fritz Waldvogel did not strike an imposing figure as a freshman football player at St. Thomas Academy, an all-boys high school in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Assigned to play wide receiver with a team that focused on running the ball, Fritz saw very few balls thrown his way. By the tail end of the season, Fritz shifted over to the defensive backfield in an attempt to see more action. While more involved, playing defense wasn’t Fritz’s first love. When the season came to an end, Fritz was faced with a decision to make.

“I encouraged him to not go out for football to give him time to focus on basketball – a sport that I knew he was pretty good at – but Fritz wanted to give it one more shot,” said Jim Waldvogel, Fritz’s dad.

“I thought about running cross-country, but I felt like I had something to prove yet in football,” noted Fritz, “I use my size as motivation for my off-season workouts, and sometimes, to prove people wrong. In football, my size can also be an asset – I have to look at it that way.”

While finding time to play basketball and run track, Fritz prepared hard for the next football season. Having grown a few inches and added some weight, Fritz made an impression at practices and saw some action in varsity games. As a junior, he started in a scat back role, where he frequently lined up in a slot position to catch passes or run the ball. He also returned kicks and punts.

The player who didn’t get the ball thrown his way on the freshman team was now a focal point of the varsity offense. Over his junior and senior years, at 5’8” tall and 155 pounds, Fritz averaged over 10 yards per carry, and rushed for nearly 700 yards his senior year. He was the team leader in receptions and set school records for punt and kick-off returns for touchdowns. He led his team to to the state championship game and was recognized with All-State honors as a punt returner his senior year. As a junior point guard for the basketball team, he also earned All-State honors and led St. Thomas Academy to a State Championship.

Fritz Waldvogel High School Football Highlights

Initially intent on attending Holy Cross to play football with a high school friend, Frtiz was persuaded to attend the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul by their new, charismatic football coach Glenn Caruso. Caruso inherited a football team that in 2007 had won only 2 games. With Caruso at the helm, an influx of new talent, and with Fritz a triple threat at receiver, kick returner and punt returner; the Tommies turned around their football fortunes and finished 7 & 3 Fritz’s freshman year.

Having grown to 5’9” and 170 pounds, Fritz enjoyed an incredible sophomore year. He led all NCAA divisions with 6 punt returns and kick-off returns for touchdowns. He was also well on his way to setting the school record for pass receptions (currently, he’s tied for the record). He was selected a first team All-American and was selected the MIAC conference Player of the Year, the first time a sophomore had won the award. St. Thomas’ record improved to 11 & 2 and they made it to the quarterfinals of the Division III National Championship. This past season, St. Thomas won the conference and finished 12 & 1. In their only loss of the year, Waldvogel was injured on the Tommies second possession — it’s the only game where he’s missed action due to injury in his college career.

St. Thomas’ football team, under Caruso’s reign has gone 30 & 6. Caruso notes, “The interesting thing about the success of the program is that it corresponds directly with Fritz’s success. We’ve won more games through our minds and hearts than through our arms and legs — and Fritz embodies this quality.”

With one year remaining to play college football, it’s a safe bet that Waldvogel will own most St. Thomas’ records in receiving, kick-off returns and punt returns. “The most exciting play in the game for me is the punt return,” Waldvogel says, “ There’s no script. The only thing I’m instructed to do is to catch every ball, and from there, I can do what I want. After I catch it, it’s pretty much run for your life.”

Waldvogel shares a house with 3 friends that is situated directly across from the University’s library. Apparently, he’s finding time to make frequent visits as he carries a 3.56 grade point average in finance. Possessing a love of the game and a mile-wide competitive streak, Waldvogel admits, “I really hate to lose.” Modest about his individual achievements, Waldvogel is justifiably proud of his team accomplishments in college football and high school basketball.

The success of New England Patriots’ wide receiver Wes Welker and running back Danny Woodhead has likely opened the eyes of NFL talent evaluators again to the fact that smaller-sized players can make a big impact. A future in football after college is of interest to Waldvogel, but for now, he’s focused on St. Thomas football, and like many college juniors, he’s busy with his classes and seeking a summer internship.

Caruso, the 2010 National Coach of the Year in Division III, sums up Waldvogel’s football abilities like this, ““At 5’ 9” and 170 pounds, you don’t put stock in his measurables, but in his immeasurables. The beauty of Fritz is his attitude and mental toughness.”

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Photo Credits: Mike Ekern & Thomas Whisenand, University of St. Thomas

Green Bay Packer Fan’s Loyalty Saves a Life — His Own

Citizens of Green Bay, Wisconsin have a special relationship with their team.  As the smallest city to host an NFL franchise, the intensity of their team loyalty runs deep.  A visitor to a church in Green Bay on a Sunday might see half the congregation sporting Packer wearables — and, that’s in the summer time.  While the Packers have given their supporters plenty to cheer about in recent years, there was a dry spell.  Even when the team struggled, the loyalty of its true fans never wavered.

ESPN’s Rick Reilly profiles one of these super Packer fans, Jim Becker, in the inspirational story, “Packers’ Lifeblood,” below.  Becker, a father of 11 children, gave blood to help pay for his Packer season tickets.  By giving blood, it helped save his life.

“Packers’ Lifeblood” ESPN & Rick Reilly

Aaron Rodgers: Commercial Pitchman

With Aaron Rodgers ascent to being regarded by many as the top quarterback in the NFL, more commercial opportunities are coming his way.  While watching the Packers play the Vikings last week in Wisconsin, Rodgers could be seen in commercials for Ford Truck, Associated Bank and State Farm Insurance.

The Associated Bank ad campaign features a sweepstakes with the winning prize being the opportunity to spend one hour with Aaron Rodgers.  Customers opening a checking account at Associated Bank receive an Aaron Rodgers bobblehead, poster and checkbook cover.

Much like his performance on the field, Rodgers seems to be a quick study.  The State Farm Insurance commercial is particularly effective.  Rodgers’ likeability shines with the support of some good casting and writing.

Much like the grandmaster of sports pitchmen Peyton Manning, Rodgers seems to have a knack for being in front of the camera even when he’s not on the football field.  You have to think the ESPN advertising folks are planning some Aaron Rodgers appearances in their clever ads.

Aaron Rodgers in State Farm commercial

Aaron Rodgers in Associated Bank commercial

Ford commercial featuring Aaron Rodgers

Peyton Manning in Sprint commercial

Aaron Rodgers on Ellen DeGeneres

D3 College Football’s Best Rivalry: Johnnies vs. Tommies

SPECIAL to sportsfeelgoodstories.com by Gene McGivern, St. Thomas Sports Information Director.

An exception comes with the approach of the annual Tommie-Johnnie football game. This week, with the lead-up to game day, you always know what you’re going to get.

After two consecutive games played on the Johnnies’ campus in Collegeville, the 2011 edition of the St. John’s vs. St. Thomas football series returns to the UST campus and O’Shaughnessy Stadium in St. Paul. Kickoff is 1:10 p.m. this Saturday.

1946 St. Thomas vs. St. John's Program

The annual showdown of two Minnesota Catholic universities was was once called the “So is your mother-of-all Minnesota sports rivalries.”

Four of the last eight games have been decided by three or less points. In all, 32 of the 79 meetings have been decided by seven or less points.

The rivalry has generated memories, winning streaks, streakers, funny moments and even a new word: Rurple. That’s the color you see when you scan the crowd, as red and purple shirts blend together in the same seating areas.

A little media hype and a lot of sunshine could produce enough “Rurple” to make a run at a UST stadium record for atttendance. The record crowd was 8,521 set 29 years ago, also for a Tommie-Johnnie clash. UST officials are bracing for a crowd of 10,000 to show up. Last year’s heavily-anticipated clash at St. John’s drew an announced crowd of more than 16,000, which is believed to be an NCAA Division III attendance record.

If you can’t make it over to St. Thomas, a live video produced by UST can be accessed at www.mnsportsnetwork.com. The game can also be heard live on the radio statewide on WCCO 830 AM, as well as on three affiliates of St. John’s radio network.

If Homecoming games are more about celebration, the Tommie-Johnnie battle is more about preparation. In days leading up to the game, the Division III pace at both schools shifts into a Division I gear. More media requests for interviews and credentials pour in. More administrative meetings are held to plan for extra security, parking needs, ticket sellers and concessions workers. More calls and e-mails come in with questions about tickets, parking and tailgating. More on-campus buzz resonates as students make their game-day plans. More adrenalin flows in practices. There’s an additional degree of focus and planning by the coaches and players for a game that has both tangible and intangible rewards for the winner.

Fans, parents and alumni make plans, and often talk with the enemy. Tommie and Johnnie alums mingle at their workplaces, churches, gyms and restaurants and engage in friendly smack talk. A few have standing wagers on each year’s outcome. Several families have dads and sons or brothers that have attended the opposite school.

There’s no shortage of storylines again in 2011. This marks the 80th all-time meeting in the series, which began with a clash on Thanksgiving Day 1901 at Lexington Park in St. Paul. It also will be the 60th consecutive year the teams have squared off. Several key players on the field Saturday were recruited hard by the opposing school, and ex-high-school teammates regularly find themselves on opposing sidelines in this rivalry.

St. Thomas' Glenn Caruso and St. John's John Gagliardi

And there’s this nugget: Both teams are coached by out-of-state natives of Italian heritage. The Johnnies are led by an 84-year-old gentleman from Colorado named Gagliardi, the son of an auto mechanic. The Tommies are guided by a 37-year-old Connecticut native named Caruso, one of seven children and the son of a lawyer.

After a decade of St. John’s domination in the series from 1998-2007, all three games played since Glenn Caruso became the Tommie head coach have been thrillers. The 2009 and 2010 games in Collegeville each went to overtime after fourth-quarter excitement. St. John’s won 20-17 in 2009, but the Tommies won 27-26 in 2010. In a 12-9 Tommie loss in 2008, UST was denied a chance at victory in the final 50 seconds. A disputed non-call on an apparent touchdown was followed by a lost fumble near the goal line on second down.

Incentive couldn’t be much higher for the 2011 matchup. Beyond school pride, Saturday’s game has immediate implications for both teams.

Clemens Stadium, "The Natural Bowl," at St. John's University was the site for last year's game

St. Thomas can end a seven-game home losing streak to the Johnnies, a streak that dates back to 1992. More importantly, UST needs a win to continue to control its destiny in its quest for an NCAA playoff berth and an MIAC title. A loss, though not crippling, would be damaging for the Tommies. St. John’s is coming off a bizarre 32-31 home loss to Augsburg. The Johnnies drove 72 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the final 90 seconds, and appeared to find the Johnnie magic that’s been missing over the last couple of seasons. Then Augsburg hit SJU with two Hail Mary completions in the last 18 seconds and stole back a victory as time expired. For the Johnnies, what better way to bounce back and salvage their season than to come into St. Paul and and beat their rival?

St. Thomas brings in a 4-0 record, No. 3 national ranking and an 18-game regular-season win streak. Even though St. John’s comes into the 2011 game with an uncharacteristic 2-2 record and has a less experienced team than past SJU juggernauts, longtime followers of this rivalry still expect a close game for four (or even five) quarters. Each of the last three games had a few mistakes and clutch plays swing the outcome. Longtime fans recall the Tommies’ stunning home upset in 1992. And in 2003, a Johnnie team that went on to win the national title trailed at St. Thomas late in the game and needed a field goal in the final seconds to avoid overtime.

One of the fascinating elements to the football rivalry is the incredible legacy of John Gagliardi, whose 63-year college coaching career includes 59 seasons in Collegeville. The guy his players call “John,” just one month shy of his 85th birthday, has 480 all-time wins, the most of any college football head coach. Since losing four games in a row to St. Thomas from 1954-57, Gagliardi has a 42-11 record against the Tommies.

The 2011 Tommies can become the first UST team since 1986-1987 to post back-to-back wins over the coaching legend. If UST stays focused all four quarters, reduces mistakes and makes enough big plays, many feel they will secure a “W” they can savor long after they hang up their helmets.

Tim Fischer is a senior development officer at St. Thomas. His work ethic and leadership as an all-district offensive tackle from 1980-83 led to his induction into the UST Athletics Hall of Fame. He still ranks a win over the Johnnies in his senior season with any of his career highlights.

“As a player, this game means everything,” Fischer said. “And for some alums, this game still means everything. As time passes you gain a perspective on what a great rivalry it is. My coach Mark Dienhart told us this before we took the field: ‘Over the years, you will run into St. John’s guys many times in the business world, in your neighborhoods, or at parties. What you do today will either help you or come back to haunt you. Play hard between the whistles and play with tenacity, but in the end how you perform today will determine whether you get bragging rights.’

“And Mark was exactly right. I’ve met, worked with and coached with a lot of St. John’s grads, and find them to be really good people. I think that’s one of the best things is to see how many successful guys there are today from both schools, guys that benefited greatly from a great college education at both schools.”

It’s fitting that this year’s game is played in O’Shaughnessy Stadium, which is named after Ignatius O’Shaughnessy. Long before he made his fortune in the oil industry and donated millions to Catholic colleges St. Thomas, Notre Dame and St. Catherine, O’Shaughnessy played in the football rivalry — for both teams. He was a Johnnie freshman in the first meeting back in 1901 and rushed for 76 yards in the St. John’s win. After a few classmates and he skipped a vespers service for a gathering in the woods, all were expelled from St. John’s. O’Shaughnessy took a train to St. Paul, admitted his error and threw himself at the mercy of a St. Thomas priest. He was given a second chance and enrolled as a Tommie, and starred in football and in the classroom in St. Paul before graduating in 1907.

O’Shaughnessy isn’t the only guy to suit up for both teams in this rivalry. Brady Beeson was a backup kicker for the Johnnies from 2006-2008. He transferred to St. Thomas in 2009 and was a standout as a senior for the Tommies. He made 7-of-11 field goals and 58-of-63 PAT kicks and helped the Tommies finish 11-2 and reach the NCAA playoff quarterfinals.

“No matter what the teams records are, it seems like the game is played close and is competitive,” Beeson said. “The days leading up to the game are fun. It’s an exciting time. At St. John’s, I know we always respected St. Thomas and didn’t dare take them lightly. It’s the same at St. Thomas, although with Coach Caruso, he always preaches a one-week-at-a-time philosophy. But certainly in this rivalry, it’s a little bit sweeter to take home a win.”

Beeson’s own “rurple” experience suiting up for each school provides the latest funny wrinkle in the rivalry.

“When I was kicking for St. Thomas in the 2009 game, I played against four of my old roommates — Andrew Gurbada, Steve Fuertsch, Russ Gliadon and Dan Franta,” Beeson said. “They were chirping at me pretty good during the game.”

Unlike that box of chocolates, you know what to expect as the 2011 edition of Tommie-Johnnie approaches. Count on another entertaining game and a fun atmosphere.

There will be some parallels to box of candy, though. You can expect a few nuts to show up, and you can be sure that one group — either the purple or red — will leave with a sweet taste in their mouth.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Gene McGivern has worked as a sports information director in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for 24 years, the last 18 at St. Thomas. An award-winning sportswriter, he authored a book on former Michigan and Iowa State coach Johnny Orr and co-authored a book with then Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green.  Check out Gene’s Blog at TommieSports.com

Photo Credits:

- Clemens Stadium:  Brace Hemmelgarn

- All other photos:  The University of St. Thomas

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Editor’s Note:  Check out coaching legend John Gagliardi’s acceptance speech from a few years back

The Best College Football Tradition: “Picking Up Butch”

Middlebury College, in Vermont, is home of the best college football tradition.  Middlebury College student athletes have helped Butch Varno, who suffers from cerebral palsy, attend sporting events like football and basketball games for over 50 years.

Back in 1960, Middlebury College student Roger Ralph, saw Varno’s grandmother struggling to move Butch’s wheelchair through snow on the way home from a football game.  He assisted them that day and offered to drive for the next game.  Thus, the “Picking up Butch” tradition was born.  Middlebury athletes from various sports have been driving Butch to and from sporting events ever since.

During football season, basketball players (typically freshmen on the team), try to get Butch to every home game.  The football players take over during basketball season.  Butch quickly became Middlebury’s number one fan.  This feel good story expanded beyond sports.  In 2003, Butch earned his GED (high school equivalency) at the age of 56, with the help of junior Sara Smith, a member of the track-and-field team.

With a Rick Reilly story on Butch in his Sports Illustrated column in 2003, a Steve Hartman CBS News feature in 2007, and an ESPN feature that won an Emmy award; the “Picking Up Butch” story has received some of the coverage it deserves.  By helping Butch, students are learning some of the best life lessons outside of the classroom.

“Picking Up Butch” video from CBS Sports — Steve Hartman

ESPN’s story on “Picking Up Butch”

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