Everyone’s life is a story, especially the lives of celebrities.
But the way our stories get told is often what distinguishes us common folk from celebrities, mostly because celebrities have the media following them around creating a narrative, or drama, that always takes a predictable path.
Generally the media creates two kinds of stories* – the first is Comedy. A comedy is a type of story where a person on the bottom goes through a series difficult events whereby he succeeds in the end and comes out on top - often symbolized by a ceremony, an honor, award, wedding, etc.
In short, the comedic narrative moves from despair to victory. Perfect examples of this are all those “rags to riches” stories you’ve heard. The NBA player who came out of the ghetto to make millions of dollars. The kid born to parents without a college education grows up to get a PhD. and change the world with his medical discovery. This is comedy, a story that moves from despair to victory.
The other kind of story the media plays with is Tragedy. A tragedy moves in the opposite direction of comedy. In tragedy a person on top experiences chaos in her life and ends up at the bottom – often death, but “death” can also be metaphorical (i.e. poverty, brokeness, addiction, etc.).
In short, tragedy moves from victory to despair. The perfect example of this is Princess Diana, who the media placed on a pedestal when she originally married Charles. Over time, however, she became of a victim of her very media makers – eventually, and literally, dying at the hands of the very people who created her story.
Tiger Woods is also a good example. Here is the poster boy, the hero of the American Dream, the belief that everyone, of any color, can succeed, come out on top, in our world. But no one can live up to that standard of perfect hero. And while adultery and addiction are common in America today, they are only tragic (in the narrative sense) when a celebrity is going through it and a pre-existing narrative of victory (he’s our hero!) exists. In other words, for Tiger Woods, starting on the top only meant his story could go one direction in the media’s narrative – down.
This, I maintain, is exactly what is going to happen to Tim Tebow.
From his time at UF, the media has written Tebow’s story as a tragedy. His story begins with him as the hero – he has what, 2 or 3 National Championships? He’s the poster boy. The hero. The example of the all-American kid. And on top of that, he apparently has no moral flaws.
And this last point is important. For this is why the tabloids follow him around. This is why the news people are always looking at him from a different angle. In the tragic narrative they are creating there is only one direction to take a hero. They are looking for a way to construct his narrative after the pre-existent model, like that of Princess Diana and Tiger Woods. And if they can’t find it in his morality, they will keep pushing until they find a different flaw. (I maintain that, while I don’t think Tebow’s a great NFL QB, the reason the media pays so much attention to how he responds negatively to being asked to run the Wildcat offense is a weak, but predictable, attempt to show him as less than heroic. It shows the desperation they feel trying to destroy the very hero they’ve created.)
So let me make a bold prediction: The way the media has framed Tebow’s story is a tragedy. And currently he is the hero. But because a tragedy must end in death (literal or metaphorical), Tebow’s story can only lead to Tebow’s death.
Tim Tebow is not a perfect man – even if he is a wonderful Christian. And this means that they will find a flaw in him if they snoop enough. In other words, the media will kill their hero. They have to.
I don’t know when. I don’t know how. But I know it’s coming. If you are a praying person, pray for him that when it does happen, his Christian faith will carry him on to resurrection life.
So you tell me – What other celebrities have you seen go through the media’s Tragedy cycle? What are some other good examples of this? What are other aspects of Tragedy that you’d highlight in the Tebow story?
*My analysis of comedy and tragedy is admittedly very surface. I don’t want to write a 3,000 word blog to explain the details. You can always read a good book on the subject if you’re that interested.
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Lance Armstrong!
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It’s funny, I was thinking the same thing just this morning. I woke up at 5:00 and went to work out. I was listen to Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio and they were talking about Armstrong. Then, an hour and a half later, when I was done working out and I got back in my car, they were talking about THE SAME EXACT THING – how he was the poster-child, their phoenix from the ashes of cancer, but how he has fallen due to his admission of doping.
I think the difference between Lance and Tim, though, is that everyone was suspicious of Lance from the beginning. Everyone seemed to sort of know that this would eventually come out.
But with Tim they’re still searching for something.
Thanks for the response, Kurt.
Not every sports celebrity’s life follows one of these two patterns. Consider Michael Jordan, who was successful at pretty much every level. Moreover, the tragic (or heroic) nature of these men and womens’ lives is often their own doing (or chance) and not the work of the media. “The Media” didn’t make Woods cheat on his wife. “The Media” can’t guarantee success (or failure) on the field.
Barack Obama. He all but has a sign on him asking to be hit.
Charlie Sheen (multiple cycles through and seems to have brought the tragic-side into being a hero?)
Ray Lewis – a comedy.. he was involved in the murder of 2 people, now he is likely on the way back to the Super Bowl.
I think the media has somewhat succeeded in the death of Tebow’s career thus far. They have magnified anything negative, no matter how real or imagined, of his playing ability, to the point where he is “controversial” for any team pick him up next season (where really it’s his display of faith in Christ that is controversial to them). Instead of someone who has great potential, they have encouraged others to look down on his playing ability. Imagine if Tim Tebow had been involved in the murder of 2 people! Or ran a dog fight ring! It’s so crazy to think Tim tebow is labeled controversial by some in the media.
@BuddyGlass – Thanks for the comment. I agree, of course, that the media doesn’t hit homeruns or throw touchdowns or commit adultery. But they tell the story – they re-narrativize the events. And in so far as they renarrativize events, and therefore interpret the events (and the people) for their readers/viewers, they are creating a narrative and casting the characters according to certain images. Tiger Woods was never perfect. But Tiger Woods’ infidelity only matters because of who they (helped) create him to be. If you’re unfaithful to your wife, that’s NOT news…and it’s not dramatic tragedy. What’s news/tragedy is Tiger Woods cheating on his wife. And it’s precisely that because of the media’s re-narrativizing of his life.
@Eric – I’ve thought the same thing about Ray Lewis. I was just having that discussion with someone this morning. His is definitely turning out to be a comedy.
As for Tebow, I think he’s on his way ‘down’ the narrative cycle, but I don’t think we’ve seen the end (death) yet. I have a feeling it’s going to get worse.
Thanks for the perspective. Very insightful. Nice mental chew for the rest of the day.
haha! thanks, for the comment, Richard.
You make it sound as though Tebow is destined to fail. Granted, the media tries to set him up so they can tear him down, but there is more than one element to the narrative. The media cannot play the role of omniscience because they cannot truly write Tebow’s life; this is reality, not just a story. Sure, Tebow has already fallen as a football star. But I wouldn’t be so sure he’s going to break morally under the heavy pressure. You say we should pray for him WHEN this happens, but why not pray that it DOESN’T happen?
My God is stronger than human fate.
I look at the life of Tim Tebow and don’t believe that it has to end in tragedy, I’m older than some but remember A C Green from the Lakers who refused to give up his faith or engage in intimate relationships before marriage.
@Jon, Please read the article a little more closely. I said that they will make a big deal out of nothing, if they have to, to bring about this end. Thus, they are fixated on his smallest reactions to playing the Wildcat because they have nothing else. I never said his fall HAD to be moral. But let’s be honest, as soon as they ask him about abortion or gay marriage, it WILL BE a metaphorical (and moral) death TO THEM. That will be all they need.
Furthermore, I’m not trying to be a prophet here, so please cut me some slack. I’m just tracing the usual and predictable media narrative.
Your point is well taken. In fact, an exaggeration you make helps prove the point. When Tebow was at FL, the media concerned with the SEC created the Tebow mystique. (Verne Lundquist as Ed McMahon: “Here’s Tebow!”). He got away with sideline antics for which other Qbacks (e.g. Bama’s John Parker WIlson and LSU’s Jordan Jefferson) were penalized. They did such a good job that you think he won “2 or 3 National Championships”. Granted, his role as backup to Chris Leak on the 2006 FL NC team was more significant than the average second-stringer, and he did win the Heisman in 2007. But he was the starter for one (2008) FL NC team. Now, as you point out, the national media have him on their scope.
Although I think I understand what you are trying to say in regards to the Tebow bit, I do think, with all due respect, it may have been poorly delivered. It does seem, as others have pointed out, that they way you delivered your thoughts sounds as if you were already claiming his life is a media “tragedy” or that it is inevitable that his life will be seen as a tragedy.
To whom though? Who decides if his story is a tragedy or not? Sure, the media may make an attempt to paint that picture, but does that really matter? In fact, the media has already tried to paint that picture. Also, first John Elway, and then this season, the New York Jets have already contributed to making it look as if his “football life” is a tragedy.
It seems as if you have drank that Kool-Aid as well, as you also ahve the opinion that Tebow is not a great QB. But, let me ask you, how many QB’s, say over the past 20 years, have looked GREAT after their first 16 NFL starts? 16… that is the # of actual NFL games that Tebow has started as an NFL QB. Way too early to make a judgement based on only 16 games worth… in which during those 16 games he saw 3 head coach changes, then the trade to the Jets would make his 4th…
But anyways… I know this was not really about football. So I will try to get back on topic. Tebow’s life is a tragedy…
Again, to whom? There are actually PLENTY of people who still admire Tiger Woods regardless of what he did. Same goes for Kobe Bryant. Same goes for the hundreds of other celebrity/athletes who have serious moral blemishes on their resume.
What NEEDED to be addressed further in this article, not just mentioned as it was, is that the difference between Tebow and some of these other celebrity examples you mentioned is that Tebow is a Christian. And not just a “keep it to myself” Christian. Tebow is 100%, Romans 1:16. Unashamed.
THAT, is the reason the media will TRY to make his story a tragedy. But again, who determines what a tragedy is? Like I said, there are plenty of folks who could have cared less about Woods and Bryant.
So, since those two guys still have plenty of fans and plenty of support, and they both still make good money, some could say that their life stories really weren’t all that tragic.
It depends on a person world-view. It depends on a persons priorities in life. I know plenty about Tebow, and what I know of him leads me to be pretty confident that his life story is not and will not end as a tragedy. Even if his football life ends sooner than I hope, he has used and will continue to use himself in other ways- ways that are better than football. He raises money to build hospitals, he does so much for sick kids and orphans- he is wise beyond his years, and has always had a strong structure of support around him (friends and family).
I would not count on Tebow’s story ending as a tragedy.
Armstrong doesn’t really fit into this category. The media is not solely responsible for “making him,” and it’s not the media that generated his fall. He did. He is more in line with the classic tragic hero than TeBow and Lady Diana. Tiger Woods is also in this category; his fall is legitimate and he is responsible for it.
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@buddyglass: The Charlotte Bobcats are, at the present, enough of a tragedy for one man.
On Tebow, I read this reply in another thread and thought it should be shared:
“Tebow is not a media fabrication at all. We all know the media has been salivating from the beginning to report his demise. The story of tragedy thus far is the NY Jets. Tebow’s story has yet to be finished. ”
and
Also, “I can’t resist pointing out that he won more playoff games as a Denver Bronco than Peyton Manning has! (at least to date)”
Robert Warren (@jnthree3), Would love to know what “sideline antics” he got away with that he should have been penalized for? Last I knew you couldn’t get a penalty while not in the game? You must either be a Georgia or Florida State fan
Obviously I am having a little fun with Robert, but to me this is part of the problem with the whole Tebow phenomena, and why he is so polarizing. There is no other pro athlete who can stir the emotions of so many different groups in our society. Most Florida Gator fans love him and think he is the second coming of Johnny Unitas, and would fight you if you felt differently. Atheists think he is worse than Ryan Leaf. Christians who are fans of a rival college school think he is a “good guy” but overrated, and the SEC biased media built him up without merit. Obviously I am over generalizing, but my point is all these groups are treating him no differently than the media. Your basing your judgment of Tim not on his play (or lack thereof), but on things unrelated to his performance on the field. IMHO, Tim Tebow is a moral, humble, excellent role model, who happens to be a decent QB. I also know there are about 20 other “decent” QB’s in the NFL. When you stop and look at each team, and their starting QB’s, how many are “star” QB’s? Is Tim Tebow Drew Brees, Tom Brady, or Mr. discount double check? Of course not. But based on his win loss record as a starter, he is better than a majority of starting NFL QB’s. If we could all put aside our opinions based on what college he went to, his morality, and his faith, than we might be able to look at the facts and agree that he isn’t a pro bowl quality QB, but he also shouldn’t be relegated to the position of punt protector either.
The media doesn’t make and create athlete’s narratives?
Try this one: http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-teos-dead-girlfriend-the-most-heartbreaking-and-inspirational-story-of-the-college-football-season-is-a-hoax?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
Tim Tebow is a media target for a few reasons, one is that he has set himself up as a role model. I think he has a unique role in our culture and generation and I do pray for him. He is authentic like few others, and his parents raised him purposefully and gave him a vision for his eternal purposes through football. I believe the media intends for him to “die,” but I am not certain that it will happen. As for his game, I think it is premature to judge, many, if not most QBs were poor in their first years. Of one thing I am certain, God’s hand is on that young man’s life and it seems like his success in the NFL is an important part of the narrative, but who am I to know the plan of God? Tim takes a lot of heat, more probably than any of us know, but I think he is up to the task.
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This strikes me as pretty paranoid and silly. You talk about “The Media” as if it were a coherent entity with an agenda. The relationship between media and athletes is in reality much more varied. The public can also have a say – media does not completely dictate the terms of its content.
Besides, maybe Tebow is just an average quarterback who had an incredible string of luck. People watched for awhile, were interested in him, and are now bored with him. He is nowhere near the level of a Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, etc in terms of sporting importance or media coverage. He is a flash in the pan who is about to descend into oblivion. And who cares? Why do we have to latch on to any and every Christian who achieves some measure of celebrity status, no matter how inconsequential it is?
Caleb – I find your comment to be rude and full of a lot of assumptions.
You’re right – it is silly. It was never supposed to be an academic reading of the life of Tim Tebow and his relationship to the multi-faceted media. I have no desire to ‘latch on to any and every Christian who achieves some measure of celebrity status.”
I was merely making a interesting observation about my brief understanding of Journalism (from graduate hours in journalism courses) and my love for sports (though, not necessarily Tim Tebow, in particular). In fact, most of this came out of my annoyance with ESPN’s daily Tim-Tebow-update.
So next time, cut a guy some slack, bro. Throwing around words like “silly and paranoid” to a guy just writing a fun, somewhat observational article, is pretty rude. And if you respond with another rude comment, I’ll just delete everything. I want this blog to be a place of fun, even if inconsequential, discussion.
My apologies Tom1st. I came to this article from another site that has an agenda in these things that I strongly disagree with. I didn’t read anything else on your blog but this article. Didn’t realize that you’re just some guy who isn’t taking his writing seriously. Thanks for responding.
No problem, Caleb. Thanks for the apology. I do take writing seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously.
I was really surprised at the attention this piece got…especially because it took me all of 15 minutes to write it.
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Hmmmm… Interesting! And insightful! I’d not thought of it quite like this, but it makes perfect sense. There’s no doubt that the media is in the business of sensationalism… creating a drama at any cost. They truly are “storytellers” in the worst sense. And with all the subtlety of Michael Bay.
Well said, brother.
-David Kent
@TheDavidKent
http://www.thedavidkent.com
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