A recent ESPN poll crowned Tim Tebow as America’s new favorite active athlete. As if the Tebow-dominated headlines in newspapers and constant analysis on television weren’t any indication.
Tebow climbed to No. 1 faster than any other athlete in the history of the 18-year poll, beating out Kobe Bryant and Aaron Rodgers.
It’s one of many signs that Tebowmania has captured the nation.
While Tebow’s popularity has become a phenomenon, it’s difficult to think of a sports figure who has had the same type of effect on the nation with this magnitude. Tiger Woods had a similar impact that brought golf to the forefront of the sports world. And Michael Jordan helped globalize the game of basketball during the 1990s.
What’s perhaps the most fascinating is that those two were considered the greatest in their sports and both were champions. Tebow is in the playoffs for the first time. He was a champion in college at Florida, but that was way before his fourth-quarter heroics as the “Mile High Messiah.”
So what draws so many people to Tebow? It’s certainly not his scrutinized mechanics as a quarterback.
Is it because he wins? Time and time again, the unconventional quarterback proves his doubters wrong by simply leading Denver to victory. Whether it’s with his legs all season in the Broncos’ pro-style offense or with his arm in last week’s 316-yard performance against the Steelers, Tebow finds a way to win.
Is it the way he wins? The Broncos had six comeback wins in which Tebow transformed from a horrendous signal caller through three quarters to an All-Pro in the closing minutes.
Is it his personality? He has been compared to Magic Johnson with his leadership and ability to inspire teammates.
Is it his character? Last year, it was Mike Vick’s comeback story that dominated NFL headlines. A guy who electrocuted dogs and rose to redemption. This year, the NFL’s most prominent story is about an evangelical Christian who meets with sick kids before every game. Even GOP candidates have reached out to Tebow for endorsement.
Tebow even has his own word. “Tebowing” entered the dictionary. That’s something even Woods and Jordan don’t have.
– Scott Gleeson
