MANHATTAN — Two of New York's most captivating new sports stars have landed on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Jeremy Lin, the newcomer Knicks point guard who entranced New York’s basketball fans until he was sidelined recently with a knee injury, earned a spot on the list, which also includes New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, TV show host Stephen Colbert and “Saturday Night Live” comedienne Kristen Wiig.
In the section of the magazine describing Lin, Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education, wrote that the Asian-American Harvard graduate “debunks and defangs so many of the prejudices and stereotypes that unfairly hold children back.”
“Contrary to what you might read, Jeremy, 23, is no overnight sensation. In fact, he achieved success the old-fashioned way: he earned it,” Duncan wrote. “He worked hard and stayed humble. He lives the right way; he plays the right way.
Tim Tebow, the newest addition to the New York Jets, also made the list.
Lin wrote the entry dedicated to Tebow, commending the 24-year-old quarterback’s “fierce competitiveness, his strong work ethic and how he is a leader that his teammates trust and respect.”
“He is unashamed of his convictions and faith, and he lives a life that consistently reflects his values, day in and day out,” Lin added.
“As athletes, we pour our hearts into winning games. Tim is a reminder that life is about much more than that.”
