NBA/NFL: Jeremy Lin & Tim Tebow Named in Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People in World

Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin and New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow were selected by Time Magazine as two of its Top 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Four other athletes made the Time list: Novak Djokovic, Yani Tseng, Lionel Messi and Oscar Pistorius.

The Jets traded for Tebow this offseason after the former Florida QB took the NFL by storm in leading a struggling Broncos team to the playoffs and a win over the Steelers.

Lin wrote the portion of the magazine piece on why Tebow was selected.

“Watching Tim Tebow play football, you can observe many things about his character. You see his fierce competitiveness, his strong work ethic and how he is a leader that his teammates trust and respect,” Lin wrote.

“But it is the qualities that Tim, 24, embodies in his life off the field that truly set him apart. He is unashamed of his convictions and faith, and he lives a life that consistently reflects his values, day in and day out. Through his foundation, he constantly reaches out to people and communities in need of hope. He realizes what he has been blessed with and seeks to help those who are worse off. As athletes, we pour our hearts into winning games. Tim is a reminder that life is about much more than that.”

Lin became a phenom as well when the Harvard product went from NBA journeyman and Knicks benchwarmer to starter averaging 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game, helping turn around New York’s season.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan wrote about why Lin was selected.

“Jeremy Lin’s story is a great lesson for kids everywhere because it debunks and defangs so many of the prejudices and stereotypes that unfairly hold children back. He’s dispelled the idea that Asian-American guards somehow couldn’t hack it in the NBA — and that being a world-class athlete on the court is somehow at odds with being an excellent student off the court.

“Contrary to what you might read, Jeremy, 23, is no overnight sensation. In fact, he achieved success the old-fashioned way: He earned it. He worked hard and stayed humble. He lives the right way; he plays the right way.

“It’s great to see good values rewarded in professional sports because that’s not always the case. Often it’s the bling, the glam, the individual that gets celebrated — not the team and working together to advance a goal bigger than oneself. Jeremy cares only about one thing — winning. And I don’t care whether you are an Asian-American kid, white, black or Hispanic, Jeremy’s story tells you that if you show grit, discipline and integrity, you too can get an opportunity to overcome the odds.”

Lin is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

WRITTEN BY Mike Mazzeo is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com & FULL STORY HERE