Sports stars Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow go out of their way to help sick children and feed the homeless

Former NFL player Tim Tebow arrives at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscars Party in West Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. (Photo: REUTERS/Danny Moloshok)

Sports stars Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow are proving to the world that they are more than just athletes. In fact, the two well-known Christians also have the kindest hearts around and they are trying their best to emulate Jesus Christ in all that they do.

Former National Football League (NFL) player Tim Tebow started his own foundation called the Tim Tebow Foundation, and it recently opened the Timmy's Playroom at the Niswonger Children's Hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Timmy's Playroom serves as a haven for sick children to play, have fun and forget all about their illnesses. Tim Tebow Foundation Executive Director and President Erik Dellenback told TriCities: "We are so excited to have a Timmy's Playroom at Niswonger Children's Hospital. This is our sixth Timmy's Playroom and our first one in Tennessee. We hope this room serves as a place for kids to take their minds off their medical treatments and it provides each patient, each family with faith, hope and love."

NBA star Jeremy Lin is a well-known Christian athlete. Reuters

The Tim Tebow Foundation also received support from high school student Liana Head, who personally raised at least $20,000 in order to give the Niswonger Children's Hospital its very own Timmy's Playroom. Head is very passionate about the cause because she has been dealing with health issues since she was only four years old.

"I can testify to the value of a brighter day. I have made it my mission to provide children with a Timmy's Playroom so they don't have to go another day without a moment of joy," said Head.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin spent time with homeless people in upstate New York just last month and distributed food to them.

He and his family celebrated Chinese New Year by doing charity work, and the basketball star even took the time to listen to the homeless people's individual problems and also played games with them.

The basketball star previously told Patheos that he "learned more about a godly work ethic and a godly attitude, in terms of being humble, putting others above yourself" from his Christian parents. 

related articles
LA Lakers' Jeremy Lin: 'I've grown as a Christian'

LA Lakers' Jeremy Lin: 'I've grown as a Christian'

NBA star Jeremy Lin reveals the sin he struggles the most with
NBA star Jeremy Lin reveals the sin he struggles the most with

NBA star Jeremy Lin reveals the sin he struggles the most with

Jeremy Lin asks fans for prayers: \'God has been reminding me to stop and enjoy the relationship I have with him daily\'
Jeremy Lin asks fans for prayers: 'God has been reminding me to stop and enjoy the relationship I have with him daily'

Jeremy Lin asks fans for prayers: 'God has been reminding me to stop and enjoy the relationship I have with him daily'

Tim Tebow opens hospital in the Philippines for impoverished children
Tim Tebow opens hospital in the Philippines for impoverished children

Tim Tebow opens hospital in the Philippines for impoverished children

Tim Tebow to stage 50 proms at churches for special needs adults
Tim Tebow to stage 50 proms at churches for special needs adults

Tim Tebow to stage 50 proms at churches for special needs adults

Tim Tebow discusses \'Night to Shine\' special needs prom: \'This is how God sees them\'
Tim Tebow discusses 'Night to Shine' special needs prom: 'This is how God sees them'

Tim Tebow discusses 'Night to Shine' special needs prom: 'This is how God sees them'

News
New CEO for Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer as construction nears launch
New CEO for Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer as construction nears launch

As one of the UK's most ambitious Christian projects prepares to break ground, the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ian Bullock, to help steer the initiative into its next chapter.

Indian Christian army officer fired for refusing to join Sikh ceremony
Indian Christian army officer fired for refusing to join Sikh ceremony

An Indian court has effectively decreed that Christians in the armed forces can be forced to take part in non-Christian religious ceremonies on pain of dismissal.

1,500 year old Christian monastery faces closure after Egyptian court ruling
1,500 year old Christian monastery faces closure after Egyptian court ruling

The monastery is located near the site of Moses' encounter with the burning bush.

MPs slowly turning against assisted suicide
MPs slowly turning against assisted suicide

The undecideds may be starting to make up their mind.