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5 'And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.
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{{redirect|Tebow|the mango|Young (mango)}}
{{Infobox NFL player
|name=Tim Tebow
|image=Tim Tebow (Broncos).JPG|75px
|width=225px
|alt=
|caption=Tebow during warm-ups with the [[Denver Broncos]] at [[Sports Authority Field at Mile High]] in [[2010 Denver Broncos season|2010.]]
|currentteam=Denver Broncos
|number=15
|position=[[Quarterback]]
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1987|8|14|mf=y}}
|birth_place=[[Makati City, Philippines]]
|death_date=
|death_place=
|heightft=6
|heightin=3
|weight=236
|college=[[Florida Gators football|Florida]]
|draftyear=2010
|draftround=1
|draftpick=25
|debutyear=2010
|debutteam=Denver Broncos
|finalyear=
|finalteam=
|pastteams=<nowiki></nowiki>
* [[Denver Broncos]] ({{NFL Year|2010}}–present)
|status=Active
|highlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
* 2× [[SEC Championship Game|SEC Championship]] ([[2006 SEC Championship Game|2006]], [[2008 SEC Championship Game|2008]])
* 2× [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS National Championship]] ([[2007 BCS National Championship Game|2007]], [[2009 BCS National Championship Game|2009]])
* 2× First-team [[All-American]] ([[2007 College Football All-America Team|2007]], [[2008 College Football All-America Team#Offense|2008]])
* 1× Second-team All-American ([[2009 College Football All-America Team|2009]])
* 3× First-team All-[[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] (2007, 2008, 2009)
* [[Associated Press|AP]] Player of the Year (2007)
* [[Davey O'Brien Award]] (2007)
* 2× [[Maxwell Award]] (2007, 2008)
* [[Heisman Trophy]] (2007)
* [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Quarterback of the Year|NCAA QB of the Year]] (2007)
* [[Manning Award]] (2008)
* [[William V. Campbell Trophy]] (2009)
* [[#Awards and honors|Other awards and honors]]
|statweek=14
|statseason=2011
|statlabel1=[[Touchdown|TD]]&ndash;[[Interception (football)|INT]]
|statvalue1=16-5
|statlabel2=Passing yards
|statvalue2=1,944
|statlabel3=[[Passer rating|QB Rating]]
|statvalue3=83.4
|statlabel4=Rushing Yards
|statvalue4=744
|statlabel5=Rushing Touchdowns
|statvalue5=9
|nfl=TEB603856
}}
'''Timothy Richard''' "'''Tim'''" '''Tebow'''<ref name="coaching character">{{cite web|last=Richardson|first=Suzy|title=Coaching character|publisher=[[Gainesville Sun]]| url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20071007/NEWS/710060317|accessdate=2007-11-10}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|icon|ˈ|t|iː|b|oʊ}}; born August 14, 1987) is an [[American football]] player who is currently the starting [[quarterback]] for the [[Denver Broncos]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the [[2010 NFL Draft]] and played [[college football]] at [[Florida Gators football|Florida]].
6 But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
Tebow played quarterback for [[Allen D. Nease Senior High School|Nease High School]] in [[Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida]] and was ranked among the top quarterback prospects in the nation as a high school [[Twelfth grade|senior]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tim Tebow recruiting profile|publisher=[[Rivals.com]]| url=http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=31436|accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref> He ultimately chose to attend the [[University of Florida]].

7 'In your prayers do not babble as the gentiles do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard.
As a backup to starter [[Chris Leak]] and a key situational contributor<ref>{{cite web|last=Person|first=Joseph|title=Dual threat|publisher=[[The State (newspaper)]]| url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/story/225436.html|date=2007-11-10|accessdate=2007-11-16 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071111084832/http://www.thestate.com/sports/story/225436.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-11-11}}</ref>, Tebow helped the Gators win the [[2007 BCS National Championship Game|national championship]] during the [[2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2006 college football season]].

8 Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Tebow was the Gators' starting quarterback during the [[2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2007 season]] and became the first college football player to both [[rush (American football)|rush]] and [[Forward pass|pass]] for 20 or more [[touchdown]]s in a single season. Consequently, he became the first college [[sophomore]] to win the [[Heisman Trophy]].<ref name=Twenty>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/11/17/sports/s125524S08.DTL|title=Tebow Becomes NCAA's First 20-20 Player |work=San Francisco Chronicle|accessdate=2007-11-17 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071214214856/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/11/17/sports/s125524S08.DTL <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-14}}</ref> In [[2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2008]], Tebow led Florida to a 13-1 record and its second national championship in three years, and was named the offensive MVP of the [[2009 BCS National Championship Game|national championship game]]. The Gators again went 13-1 and finished with a top- ranking in [[2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2009]], Tebow's senior year.

Tebow is known as a [[Quarterback#Dual-threat quarterbacks|dual threat quarterback]], adept at both rushing and passing the football. At the conclusion of his college career, he held the [[Southeastern Conference]]'s all-time records in both career [[passing efficiency]] and total rushing touchdowns, appearing second and tenth (respectively) in the NCAA record book in these categories<ref>[http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/FBS.pdf NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Record Book p. 29, p. 26]</ref>.

Tebow was selected in the 1st round of the [[2010 NFL draft]] by the [[Denver Broncos]]. He started the last three games of [[2010 NFL season|his rookie season]] and became the Broncos' full-time starting QB beginning in the 6th game of [[2011 NFL season|2011]]. His team was 1-4 before Tebow began playing regularly, but immediately began winning with him on the field, often by coming from behind late in the 4th quarter or overtime.

With his unorthodox NFL QB skillset, frequent expressions of religion, and ability to help his team win, Tim Tebow has attracted unprecedented praise, criticism, and attention from the sporting media and beyond. In fact, USAToday reports that 'tebowing' has appeared so many times in the global media that it can now be considered an English language word<ref>[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/tim-tebow-tebowing-officially-recognized-as-a-word/1</ref>. Commenting on Tebow's play and the attention he has garnered, many football players and observers have said that they "have never seen anything like it." <ref>[http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_19359785 Tim Tebow's late TD lifts Broncos over Jets - The Denver Post<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/hotread-Tebow/nfl-tim-tebow-was-denver-broncos-best-only-choice-quarterback-espn-magazine NFL - Tim Tebow was the Denver Broncos' best and only choice at quarterback - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2011/10/13/tim-tebow-making-broncos-center-of-nfl-universe/10144/ Tim Tebow making Broncos center of NFL universe | First-and-Orange — Denver Broncos news, stats, analysis — The Denver Post<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-11-19/sports/30421236_1_tim-tebow-revolution-head-coach/ You say you want a revolution? See Denver, S.F. - SFGate<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Early years==
[[File:Tebow army all american.jpg|thumb|left|165px|Tebow at the 2006 [[U.S. Army All-American Bowl]] as a high school senior.]]
Tebow was born in [[Makati City]] in the [[Philippines]], to American parents who were serving as [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Baptist]] [[missionary|missionaries]] at the time. His mother, Pamela Elaine (née Pemberton), is the daughter of a U.S. Army colonel, and his father, Robert Ramsey Tebow II, is a pastor.<ref name="coaching character"/><ref name="birthplace">{{cite web| title=The Philippines Is In His Heart| publisher=Filipinas Magazine| date=July 6, 2009| url=http://www.filipinasmag.com/?p=496| accessdate=February 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="bobtebowassoc">''[http://www.btea.org/aboutus.asp The Tebow Family]'' Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association</ref><ref name=tamptr>{{cite news|last=Johnston|first=Joey|coauthors=|title=A CUT ABOVE|pages=|publisher=Tampa Tribune|date=2005-05-12|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tampatribune/access/950609991.html?dids=950609991:950609991&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+25%2C+2005&author=JOEY+JOHNSTON&pub=Tampa+Tribune&desc=A+CUT+ABOVE&pqatl=google|accessdate=2010-05-04}}</ref><ref name=sunsent>{{cite news|last=Curtis|first=Dave|coauthors=|title=Tebow family's vision runs much deeper than just TDs|pages=|publisher=The Sun Sentinel|date=2008-08-08|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/other/sfl-flsptebowdad08sbaug08,0,5446800.story|accessdate=2010-05-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Ebattle/celeb/tebow.htm |title=Tim Tebow ancestry |publisher=Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> While pregnant, his mother suffered a life-threatening infection with a pathogenic [[amoeba]]. Because of the drugs used to rouse her from a [[coma]] and to treat her [[dysentery]], the fetus experienced a severe [[placental abruption]]. Doctors had expected a [[stillbirth]] and recommended an [[abortion]] to protect her life,<ref name="coaching character"/> although abortions are illegal in the Philippines, but she remained undaunted and refused having an abortion.

Tebow is the youngest of five children, with sisters Christy and Katie, and brothers Robby and Peter.<ref>{{cite web|author=&lt;b&gt;By BY SUZY A. RICHARDSON&lt;/b&gt; |url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20071007/NEWS/710060317 |title=Coaching character |publisher=Gainesville.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> All of the Tebow children were [[Homeschooling|homeschooled]] by their mother, who worked to instill the family's Christian beliefs along the way.<ref name="bobtebowassoc" /> In 1996, legislation was passed in Florida allowing homeschooled students to compete in local high school sporting events. The law specifies that homeschooled students may participate on the team of the local school in the [[school district]] in which they live.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goodbread|first=Chase|title=She Fought the Law and Tebow Won|publisher=[[The Florida Times-Union]]| url=http://www.flhef.org/newsflashes/tebow.html|date=January 1, 2006|accessdate=2007-11-16 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070820120330/http://www.flhef.org/newsflashes/tebow.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-08-20}}</ref> The Tebows lived in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], and Tim played linebacker and tight end at the local Trinity Christian Academy for one season. Tebow's preferred position was quarterback, but Trinity football team's offense did not rely on passing the football, so he began to explore his options to play for a new high school.<ref>{{cite news|last=Glier|first=Ray|title=Parents, high school officials at odds over motivation for athletes' transfers|work=[[USA Today]]| url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/2006-11-21-transfers-cover_x.htm|date=November 21, 2006|accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> He decided to attend Nease High School, which under head coach Craig Howard was known for having a passing offense. With the rest of his family living on a farm in [[Duval County, Florida|Duval County]], Tim and his mother moved into an apartment in nearby [[St. Johns County, Florida|St. Johns County]], making him eligible to play for the football team at [[Allen D. Nease Senior High School|Nease]]. His performance soon turned heads and led to a minor controversy regarding the fact that he was a home-schooled student having his choice of school to play for.<ref name="tbo_sports">{{cite news |title=A Cut Above |last=Johnston |first=Joey| publisher=[[The Tampa Tribune]] | url=http://gators.tbo.com/gators/MGBQVFCAMHE.html|date=December 25, 2005|accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref>

Tebow came into national prominence as a junior at Florida's 4A Nease High School. He kept Nease competitive in an interstate game against perennial 6A powerhouse [[Hoover_High_School_(Alabama)#Football|Hoover High School]] of Alabama, nearly pulling off the upset. Tebow was soon known not only for his running and throwing, but for his intense competitiveness and uncommon physical courage. Later that same year he suffered an injury to his right leg late in the first half of a game. Originally thought by the Nease coaching staff to be a bad cramp, he played the entire second half with a broken fibula, at one point rushing for a 29-yard touchdown. After the game the extent of the injury was discovered and he was held out for the remainder of his junior season.<ref name="espn heisman story">{{cite web|title=Florida QB Tebow was the first underclassman to win the Heisman|publisher=[[ESPN]]| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3146714| date=2007-12-08 | accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> Nevertheless he was named Florida's Player of the Year and became a [[Football Bowl Subdivision|major college football]] quarterback prospect.<ref name="player of year">{{cite news |title=SAHS' Wiles, Nease's Tebow win state football awards |last=Barney |first=Justin| publisher=St Augustine Record | url=http://www.staugustine.com/stories/120905/spo_3507267.shtml|date=December 9, 2005|accessdate=2008-05-17}}</ref> During his senior season he led the Nease Panthers to a state title, earned All-State honors, was named Florida's Mr. Football and a ''[[Parade Magazine|Parade]]'' magazine high school All-American, and repeated as Florida's Player of the Year.<ref name="player of year" /><ref>[http://all-americans.parade.com/2006_football/story.html 2006 Parade All-Americans]</ref> Tebow finished his high school career with 9,810 passing yards, 3,186 rushing yards, 95 passing touchdowns and 62 rushing touchdowns. He played in the [[U.S. Army All-American Bowl]] in [[San Antonio]], Texas which features the top 78 senior high school football players in the nation and is shown nationally on NBC television.<ref>[http://rivals100.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=880&CID=497018 Tebow practices in Army All-American Bowl]</ref>

Tebow was considered one of the nation's top recruits and was the subject of an [[ESPN]] "Faces in Sports" documentary. The segment was titled "Tim Tebow: The Chosen One", and focused on Tim's homeschool controversy and missionary work in the Philippines, as well as his exploits on the field of play and the college recruiting process.<ref>''[http://alabama.scout.com/2/477962.html Tim Tebow Takes Center Stage]'' Scout.com</ref> Tim Tebow was also featured in ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' on the "Faces in the Crowd" page.<ref>''[http://www.staugustine.com/stories/122104/spo_2770650.shtml Tebow in SI's Faces in the Crowd]'' St. Augustine Record</ref> In 2007 he was named to [[FHSAA's All-Century Team]] that listed the Top 33 football players in the state of Florida's 100 year history of high school football.<ref>''[http://www.fhsaa.org/news/2007/1212.htm FHSAA Announces All-Century Team]'' Florida High School Athletic Association</ref>

Despite having family ties to the University of Florida, where his parents first met as students,<ref>{{cite web|title=Tebow Family|publisher=Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association| url=http://www.btea.org/aboutus.asp|accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref> Tebow remained open-minded during the recruiting process and became very close to [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] coach [[Mike Shula]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Alabama Gets Close-Up Look at Florida's Tebow|last=Long |first=Mark| publisher=[[The Ledger]] | url=http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060928/NEWS/609280452/|date=September 28, 2006|accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref> After careful consideration he decided to play for [[Urban Meyer]]'s [[Florida Gators football|Florida Gators]]. One of the reasons he chose Florida was because of Meyer's [[spread offense|spread option]] offense, an offense for which Tebow was deemed an archetypal quarterback.<ref>{{cite web|title=To one lucky program's delight, Tebow sweepstakes end today|publisher=[[Gainesville Sun]]| url=http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20051213/SPORTS/51213005|accessdate=2008-04-22}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

Tebow spent the three summers prior to enrolling at the University of Florida in the [[Philippines]], assisting with his father's orphanage and missionary work.<ref>{{cite web|title=UF's success is Tebow's mission|publisher=[[St. Petersburg Times]]| url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/12/Sports/UF_s_success_is_Tebow.shtml|accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref>

He is [[Left-handedness|left handed]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-12-08/sports/ct-spt-1209-bears-pompei-chicago--20111209_1_tim-tebow-bobby-douglass-gray-hairs |title=Tim Tebow: Bobby Douglass a prototype for Tim Tebow - Chicago Tribune |publisher=Articles.chicagotribune.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref>

===Effect on homeschooling movement===
On January 7, 2007, Tebow was featured prominently in an [[ESPN]] "Outside The Lines" feature on homeschooled athletes seeking equal access to high school athletics in other states. Because a homeschooler's access to public and private school athletic functions vary by state, Tebow and [[New York Jets]] defensive end [[Jason Taylor (American football)|Jason Taylor]] (who was allowed to play at his local high school in [[Pennsylvania]]) argue in favor of extending the right to play for local teams to more states.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Yg8Bwa3EY |title=ESPN Outside the Lines - January 7, 2007 |publisher=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=2007-12-31}}</ref>

Upon becoming the first home-schooled athlete to be nominated for the Heisman Trophy, Tebow remarked, "That's really cool. A lot of times people have this stereotype of homeschoolers as not very athletic – it's like, go win a [[spelling bee]] or something like that – it's an honor for me to be the first one to do that."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=188229 |title=Homeschooler Snaps Up Heisman Nomination |last=Lyman|first=Isabel |date=December 6, 2007 |publisher=USA Daily |accessdate=2007-12-31 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071214012233/http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=188229 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-14}}</ref>

Tebow's example inspired equal access supporters in [[Alabama]] to name their bill in the [[Alabama Legislature]] "The Tim Tebow Bill".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timtebowbill.com |title=The State of Alabama's "Tim Tebow Bill" |accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> The bill, which is pending in the Alabama Legislature, will allow Alabama homeschool athletes to play for their local high school teams just as Tebow did in Florida. In January 2009, the "Tebow bill" was introduced in the [[Kentucky General Assembly]].<ref name="LRC">{{cite web|url=http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/09rs/SB44.htm|title=Senate Bill 44|publisher=Kentucky Legislative Research Commission|accessdate=2009-09-27}}</ref> This bill, which is still pending, is also modeled after Florida state law, allowing homeschool athletes to play for their local sports teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/661927.html |title='Tebow bill' hits home |first=Valarie |last=Honeycutt Spears |publisher=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]] |date=2009-01-18 |accessdate=2009-01-28}}</ref> Tebow received the 2008 Quaqua Protégé Award as an outstanding home-education graduate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quaqua.org/protegerec.htm |title='Tebow Biography'|accessdate=2009-06-07}} {{cite web |url=http://www.quaqua.org/protege.htm |title='Protege Award'|accessdate=2009-06-07}}</ref>

==College career==

As one of the most highly recruited quarterback prospects in the nation, Tebow received an [[athletic scholarship]] to attend the University of Florida in [[Gainesville, Florida]], where he played for coach [[Urban Meyer]]'s [[Florida Gators football]] team from [[2006 Florida Gators football team|2006]] to [[2009 Florida Gators football team|2009]].<ref name=ufmediaguide>''[http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2011/media_guide.pdf 2011 Florida Gators Football Media Guide]'', University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 74&ndash;75, 77, 81, 86, 89, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100&ndash;103, 1`25, 127, 136, 138&ndash;140, 141&ndfash;142, 144, 146&ndash;148, 152, 158, 159, 162, 171&ndash;173, 186 (2011). Retrieved August 31, 2011.</ref> From his freshman season in 2006, when he was a backup behind the Gators' career passing yardage leader, [[Chris Leak]], to his [[Heisman Trophy]]-winning sophomore season in 2007, to his BCS Championship-winning junior season in 2008, to his 13&ndash;1 senior season, Tebow left an indelible legacy on the Florida Gators football program. The Gators coaches selected him as a [[captain (sports)|team captain]] in 2008 and 2009, and he is the only three-time recipient of the Gators' most valuable player award, having been chosen by his teammates in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

===2006===
{{See also|2006 Florida Gators football team}}

Tebow started his career at Florida in the 2006 "Orange and Blue" Spring scrimmage, where he completed 15 of 21 pass attempts for 197 yards and one touchdown.<ref>[http://www.gatorcountry.org/wearetheboys/?cat=12 Orange and Blue Scrimmage Game]</ref> Coach Urban Meyer declared that Leak would remain the starting quarterback despite the expectations and performance of Tebow in the game.<ref>[http://www.alligator.org/pt2/060424foot1.php ]{{dead link|date=May 2010}}</ref>
Prior to the 2006 season, Tebow was listed by ''Sports Illustrated'' as college football's future top mobile quarterback.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/luke_winn/08/22/mobileQB.partthree/index.html |title=The next generation: Plenty of young mobile QBs ready to showcase talent |last=Winn |first=Luke |work=[[Sports Illustrated]]/[[CNN]] |date=August 22, 2006 |accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> Although Tebow remained the freshman backup behind senior Chris Leak throughout the season, Tebow was a significant contributor to the Gators' 2006 success.

Tebow made his college debut coming off the bench behind Chris Leak in a [[goal line (American football)|goal line]] situation against [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles football|Southern Miss]]. He rushed for a touchdown on a designed quarterback scramble on his first play.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores106/106245/NCAAF701468.htm Southern Miss vs. Florida USA Today]</ref> In his next game, he led the team in rushing yards against [[UCF Golden Knights football|UCF]].<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=262520057 Florida Gators vs UCF Knights ESPN]</ref>

Tebow made his SEC debut against the [[2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team|Tennessee Volunteers]] on September 16. His performance included a ten-yard run on his first carry and converting a critical fourth down near the end of the game, which led to the Gators' go-ahead touchdown.<ref>[http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200609160071 Florida-Tennessee game recap]</ref>

Tebow's biggest game in the season came against the [[2006 LSU Tigers football team|LSU Tigers]] on October 7, where he accounted for all three of the Gators' touchdowns, passing for two and rushing for another. Tebow had a one-yard run on the goal line for his first score, a one-yard "jump pass" to tight end Tate Casey, in which he jumped in the air and double-pumped his arm before releasing the ball, and a 35-yard play-action pass to [[wide receiver]] [[Louis Murphy]].<ref>[http://www.firstcoastnews.com/sports/gators/news-article.aspx?storyid=66505 Firstcoastnews.com | Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Brunswick | Tim Tebow Excels as Florida Tops LSU 23-10<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Tebow played a role in the Gators' victory in the [[2007 BCS National Championship Game]] against [[2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team|Ohio State]]. He threw for one touchdown and rushed for another, finishing with 39 rushing yards.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls06/bowls?game=bcs 2007 Tostitos BCS National Championship game]</ref> He finished 2006 with the second-most rushing yards on the Gator team.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gatorzone.com/football/history/2006/review.pdf |title=Season Review |publisher=Gatorzone.com |accessdate=2007-12-05|format=PDF}}</ref>

===2007===
[[File:Gators2007QBs.jpg|thumb|right|Tebow (on right) and other Gator QBs during pre-game warm-ups.]]
{{See also|2007 Florida Gators football team}}

Tebow was named the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators for the 2007 season and was tipped by ''[[Sporting News]]'' to be one of college football's "Breakout Players of 2007".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=162465 |title=Year in Preview: Made men |publisher=[[The Sporting News]] |accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> The Gators' offense in 2007 was expected to be similar to what Urban Meyer used at [[Utah Utes football|Utah]]. Meyer viewed Tebow's abilities as being "very similar to [[Alex Smith]]."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2765329 |title=Tebow's growth as a passer key for Gators |last=Schlabach|first=Mark |date=February 14, 2007 |publisher=[[ESPN]] |accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> Smith had been a highly effective dual threat quarterback for Meyer's last team at Utah in 2004, and led the Utes to play in and win a [[Bowl Championship Series|BCS]] bowl game, the first team from outside the [[BCS conference]]s to do so. Smith went on to be the top overall pick in the [[2005 NFL Draft]].

Questions loomed as to whether or not Tebow was skilled enough as a passer to be able to carry the responsibilities of a starting quarterback,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272440057&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines |title=Florida's Tebow throws for 300 yards, 3 TDs in debut as starter |date=September 2, 2007 |publisher=[[ESPN]] |accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref> but he opened the year 13-of-17 for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in his starting debut against [[Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football|Western Kentucky University]].<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/02/ap/sportsline/main3227782.shtml Tebow Shines As Gators Crush W. Kentucky]</ref> Tebow finished the regular season with 217 completed passes in 317 attempts for 3132 yards gained and 29 touchdowns with six interceptions—giving him the second highest [[passer rating#NCAA|passing efficiency]] in the nation with 177.8. Additionally, he rushed 194 times for 838 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground through 11 games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2007&div=4&rpt=IA_playerpasseff |title=Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Player Report: Passing Efficiency |publisher=[[NCAA]] |accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> Tebow's 51 touchdowns were more than 87 Division 1-A Teams scored.<ref>http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2007&div=4&rpt=IA_teamscoroff&site=org</ref>

In week 4 of the season, when the Gators faced [[2007 Ole Miss Rebels football team|Ole Miss]] in an SEC match-up, Tebow broke the school record for rushing yards by a quarterback in one game, with 166 yards.<ref>[http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?sport=footb&id=12642&html=0 Tebow has big day against Ole Miss]</ref> On November 3, against [[2007 Vanderbilt Commodores football team|Vanderbilt]], Tebow rushed for two touchdowns to break the all-time SEC quarterback TD record in a single season.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273070057 Tebow breaks record against Vanderbilt]</ref> Against [[2007 LSU Tigers football team|LSU]], leading by 10 in the 4th quarter, Tebow was largely ineffective and had a turnover as he was unable to lead his team to any score, and LSU came back to win the game. LSU went on to win the 2007 National Championship.

In a game versus the [[2007 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina Gamecocks]] on November 10, Tebow broke the school record for rushing touchdowns in a season and set a career high with 5 rushing touchdowns. This brought his season total to 19 rushing touchdowns, which tied him for the SEC record for any player in a season (shared with [[Shaun Alexander]], [[Garrison Hearst]], and [[LaBrandon Toefield]]). He also broke [[Danny Wuerffel]]'s conference record for touchdowns accounted for in a single season with 42.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071111/SPORTS/711110354/1002/SPORTS |title=Florida Gators' Tebow terrorizes South Carolina |publisher=[[Florida Today]] |accessdate=2007-11-11 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080511140231/http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071111/SPORTS/711110354/1002/SPORTS <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-05-11}}</ref>

On November 17, Tebow had a record day against [[2007 Florida Atlantic Owls football team|Florida Atlantic]], he scored his 20th rushing touchdown to set a new conference record for most rushing touchdowns in a season. He also became the only person ever in NCAA History to score 20 touchdowns rushing and 20 touchdowns passing in the same season.<ref name="Twenty"/>

On November 24, against the [[2007 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State Seminoles]], Tebow threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two in a 45–12 rout of the Seminoles. It was later revealed that Tebow [[bone fracture|fractured]] his right hand during the third quarter but played the rest of the game. He had to wear a cast for the next three weeks.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/specials/bowls/2007/12/14/tebow.cast.ap/ |title=Tebow practices without cast |date=December 14, 2007 |work=[[Sports Illustrated]] |accessdate=2007-12-31 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071218173534/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/specials/bowls/2007/12/14/tebow.cast.ap/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-18}}</ref>

After the 2007 season was over, Tebow was recognized as a first-team All-SEC selection and a consensus first-team [[All-American]],<ref>''2010 Division I Football Records Book'', [http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/DI/2010/Awards.pdf Award Winners and All-Americans], National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 12 (2010). Retrieved April 30, 2011.</ref> and became a favorite for the [[Heisman Trophy]], given to the most outstanding college football player of the year, which he won on December 8 in New York City. He also received the [[Davey O'Brien Award]], annually given to the best quarterback in the nation, on February 18 in Fort Worth, Texas.

While the Gators finished the season in [[Orlando, Florida]] with a 41–35 loss to [[2007 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan]] in the [[2008 Capital One Bowl]], Tebow maintained his record for both rushing and passing for at least one touchdown in every game played, and he raised the record for total touchdowns accounted for in a single season to 55.<ref>[http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=13153&sport=footb&html=0 Capital One Bowl, Gatorzone]</ref> He played with a soft cast on the hand he broke in his previous game.

====Heisman Trophy====

On December 8, 2007, Tebow was awarded the [[Heisman Trophy]], finishing ahead of Arkansas's [[Darren McFadden]], Hawaii's [[Colt Brennan]], and Missouri's [[Chase Daniel]]. He was the first [[sophomore]] to win the Heisman Trophy.<ref name="espn heisman story" /> He garnered 462 first place votes and 1957 points, 254 points ahead of runner-up Arkansas running back Darren McFadden.<ref>{{cite web|title=Expanded Heisman Trophy voting results|publisher=NBC Sports| url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6700005/| date= | accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref> He finished the regular season as the only player in [[Division I (NCAA)|FBS]] history to rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in both categories in the same season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tim Tebow First Sophomore to Win Heisman|publisher=New York Times| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/sports/ncaafootball/09heisman.html?ref=sports| date=2007-12-08 | accessdate=2007-12-08 | first=Joshua | last=Robinson}}</ref> He had 32 passing touchdowns, and 23 rushing touchdowns. Tebow's rushing TD total in the 2007 season is the most recorded for any position in SEC history.<ref>[http://media.www.dailygamecock.com/media/storage/paper247/news/2007/11/12/Sports/Usc-Gives.Tebows.Heisman.Talk.Boost-3093384.shtml Tebow breaks records against Gamecocks]</ref> The total also set the record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in FBS history. Tebow became the third UF player to win the Heisman Trophy, joining [[Steve Spurrier]] and [[Danny Wuerffel]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tebow becomes third Heisman winner in UF history|work=The Independent Florida Alligator| url=http://www.alligator.org/articles/2007/12/08/sports/football/atebow.txt| date= | accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref>

===2008===
{{See also|2008 Florida Gators football team}}

Before the 2007 season had even come to a close, Florida coach Urban Meyer stated that he would likely use two quarterbacks during the 2008 season to take some of the workload off of Tebow's shoulders.<ref name=2QBs>{{cite web |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-caponenotes2907dec29,0,1660313.story |title=Urban Meyer plans to use 2-QB system in 2008 |date=December 29, 2007 |publisher=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |accessdate=2008-01-01}}</ref> Tebow led the Gators in rushing in 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/teams/stats?teamId=57&year=2007 |title=Florida Gators Statistics - 2007 |publisher=[[ESPN.com]] |accessdate=2008-01-01}}</ref> but also had to play through a bruised shoulder and broken non-throwing hand.<ref name="2QBs"/>

Before the 2008 season even started, Tebow had his name pulled from consideration for the Playboy Preseason All-American team because it conflicted with his Christian beliefs.<ref name=award>{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-07-30-tebow-playboy_N.htm |title=Devout Heisman winner declines spot in 'Playboy' lineup | work=USA Today | first1=Tim |last1=Murphy |date=2008-07-30}}</ref>

On November 1, 2008, playing against the [[2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia Bulldogs]], Tebow ran for his 37th rushing touchdown, breaking the school record previously held by former Florida running back [[Emmitt Smith]].

Tebow led the Gators to a 12&ndash;1 record in 2008. After clinching the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title, the team played for and won the SEC title in the [[2008 SEC Championship Game]] against the [[2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama Crimson Tide]]. The win secured the #2 ranking in the final [[2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings#BCS rankings|BCS standings]], which earned the Gators the chance to play the #1 ranked [[2008 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma Sooners]] in the [[2009 BCS National Championship Game]], which they won 24&ndash;14.

On December 13, 2008, Tebow finished third in the 2008 Heisman Trophy voting, with Oklahoma's [[Sam Bradford]] taking the top spot followed by Texas' [[Colt McCoy]], despite Tebow receiving the most first-place votes.<ref name=Heisman08>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3767667 |title=Oklahoma quarterback Bradford wins Heisman |publisher=[[ESPN.com]] |accessdate=2008-12-14}}</ref> Tebow also won the Maxwell Award in 2008, becoming only the second player to win the award twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3763720|title=Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow second two-time winner of Maxwell Award|publisher=[[ESPN.com]]|accessdate=2008-12-22}}</ref>

On January 11, 2009, at a national championship celebration held at [[Ben Hill Griffin Stadium]], Tebow announced that he would not make himself eligible for the [[2009 NFL Draft]], but would instead return for his senior season at Florida.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/01/11/tebow.returning/index.html?eref=si_topstories Tebow returning for senior season]. Retrieved on 2009-01-11.</ref> One day later, he had surgery on his right shoulder to remove a bone spur in an effort to reduce chronic inflammation.<ref>[http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28623158/ Tebow has surgery on non-throwing shoulder]. Retrieved on 2009-01-12.</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
|+2008 Heisman Trophy Finalist Voting
! Finalist
! First place votes<br/>(3 pts. each)
! Second place votes<br/>(2 pts. each)
! Third place votes<br/>(1 pt. each)
! Total points
|-
| [[Sam Bradford]]
| 300
| 315
| 196
| 1,726
|-
| [[Colt McCoy]]
| 266
| 288
| 230
| 1,604
|-
| Tim Tebow
| 309
| 207
| 234
| 1,575
|-
| colspan="5"| Source:<ref name=2008HeismanVote>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6163533.html|title=Oklahoma QB Bradford wins Heisman Trophy |work=Houston Chronicle}}</ref>
|}

===2009===
{{Main|2009 Florida Gators football team}}

Tebow opened the [[2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2009 season]] continuing a streak of throwing and running for a touchdown in blowout wins over [[Charleston Southern]] and [[2009 Troy Trojans football team|Troy]]. He ran for a touchdown in the third game, a win against [[2009 Tennessee Volunteers football team|Tennessee]], but failed to throw for a touchdown for the first time since his freshman season.

In answer to an interview question, Tebow stated that he was a virgin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/23/tim-tebow-says-hes-still-a-virgin-saving-himself-for-marriage/|title=Tim Tebow Says He's Still a Virgin, Saving Himself for Marriage|author=Travis, Clay|date=July 23, 2009 |accessdate=15 August 2010}}</ref> The statement was subject to much discussion about whether the question was necessary, including criticism of the reporter who originally asked.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/11979655|title=Tebow chaste-land: Decorum dies a little when pigskin meets 'Porky's'|author=Dodd, Dennis|date=July 23, 2009 |accessdate=15 August 2010}}</ref>

Tebow started against [[2009 Kentucky Wildcats football team|Kentucky]] despite suffering from a respiratory illness and taking two bags of intravenous fluids before the game.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/3717/tebow-rest-of-gators-expected-to-play |title=Tebow, rest of Gators expected to play |last=Low |first=Chris |work=ESPN |date=September 26, 2009 }}</ref> He ran for two touchdowns to put him in 2nd place on the all-time SEC touchdown list and he also threw for a touchdown. Late in the third quarter, he was hit in the chest by Kentucky defensive end Taylor Wyndham and then in the back of the head while falling by the knee of Florida tackle [[Marcus Gilbert (American football)|Marcus Gilbert]]. Upon impact, he briefly displayed a prominent [[Fencing Response]] with his left arm, indicating that a concussion had taken place.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.alligator.org/articles/2009/09/29/sports/football/090929_foot.txt |title="Fencing response" key indicator of concussion |last=McCall |first=Mike |date=September 29, 2009 |work=The Independent Florida Alligator }}</ref> He lay motionless for several minutes before being helped to the sidelines. Once there, he vomited. He was taken by ambulance to the [[Albert B. Chandler Hospital|University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center]].<ref>{{Citation |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4507101 |title=Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow taken to hospital after hard sack |last=Schlabach |first=Mark |work=ESPN |date=September 27, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2009/09/26/a1c_uf_kentucky_0927.html |title=Tim Tebow hurt in Florida Gators' rout of Kentucky Wildcats |last=Volin |first=Ben |date=September 26, 2009 |newspaper=Palm Beach Post }}</ref> A [[X-ray computed tomography|CT scan]] showed no bleeding in the brain, with the injury described as a mild concussion.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-09-26/florida-qb-tim-tebow-leaves-game-after-taking-hard-hit |title=Florida QB Tim Tebow has concussion |last=Curtis |first=Dave |date=September 26, 2009 |work=Sporting News }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/gators/orl-pictures-tim-tebow-092709,0,4605030.photogallery |title=Pictures: Tim Tebow sustains "mild" concussion in Florida's rout over Kentucky |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=September 26, 2009 }}</ref> Coach [[Urban Meyer]] stayed the night in the hospital with Tebow, who was discharged in the morning.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tests to determine Tebow's return|publisher=ESPN|date=2009-09-30|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4516919|accessdate=2009-12-06}}</ref>

On October 31, 2009, while playing against the [[2009 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia Bulldogs]], Tebow ran for his 50th and 51st rushing touchdowns, breaking the SEC career record previously held by former Georgia running back [[Herschel Walker]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Eichelberger |first=Curtis |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=apbrberk7GqY |work=Bloomberg News |date=October 31, 2009 |title=Florida's Tebow Breaks Walker's SEC Touchdown Record }}</ref> His penultimate collegiate game, the 2009 SEC Championship saw him once again facing the University of Alabama. After a poor performance from the QB, the game ended in a Florida loss with Tebow on the sideline in tears. In the [[2010 Sugar Bowl]], Tebow's last college game, he had 533 yards of total offense—a record for a [[Bowl Championship Series]] game—and accounted for four touchdowns in a 51–24 Florida win against [[2009 Cincinnati Bearcats football team|Cincinnati]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tebow caps college career with 533 yards, Sugar Bowl romp|publisher=ESPN. Associated Press|date=2010-01-01|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=300010057|accessdate=2010-01-02}}</ref>

Tebow graduated from the University of Florida in December 2009 with a [[bachelor's degree]] in family, youth and community sciences.

===Statistics===
<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" id="Table3">
<tr style="text-align:center; background:#4169e1;">
<th colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#fff;">&#160;</th>
<th rowspan="99" style="text-align:center; background:#fff;">&#160;</th>
<th style="text-align:center;" colspan="8">Passing</th>
<th rowspan="99" style="text-align:center; background:#fff;">&#160;</th>
<th style="text-align:center;" colspan="3">Rushing</th>
</tr>
<tr style="text-align:center; background:#e0e0e0;">
<th style="text-align:center;">Season</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">Team</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">GP</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">Rating</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">Att</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">Comp</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">Pct</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">Yds</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">TD</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">INT</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">Sack</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">Att</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">Yds</th>
<th style="text-align:center;">TD</th>
</tr>
<tr style="text-align:center;">
<td style="text-align:center;">2006</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">[[Florida Gators]]</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">14</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">201.7</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">33</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">22</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">66.7</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">358</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">5</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">1</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">0</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">89</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">469</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="text-align:center;">
<td style="text-align:center;">2007</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">[[Florida Gators]]</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">13</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">172.5</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">350</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">234</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">66.9</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">3286</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">32</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">6</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">13</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">210</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">895</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">23</td>
</tr>
<tr style="text-align:center;">
<td style="text-align:center;">2008</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">[[Florida Gators]]</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">14</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">172.4</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">298</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">192</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">64.4</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">2747</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">30</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">4</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">15</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">176</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">673</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">12</td>
</td><ref name="ESPN College football statistics">[http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183484 ESPN College football statistics]</ref>
</tr>
<tr style="text-align:center;">
<td style="text-align:center;">2009</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">[[Florida Gators]]</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">14</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">155.6</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">304</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">213</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">70.1</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">2895</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">21</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">5</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">25</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">217</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">910</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">14</td>
</td><ref name="ESPN College football statistics"/>
</tr>

<tr style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;">
<td style="text-align:center;"></td>
<td style="text-align:center;">Totals</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">55</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">176.0</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">985</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">661</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">67.1</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">9286</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">88</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">15</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">53</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">692</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">2947</td>
<td style="text-align:center;">57</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
</tr>
</table>

=="The Tebow Rule"==
In 2010, a new rule for the next NCAA football season, dubbed '''"The Tebow Rule"'''<ref name="Tebow Rule 2" >{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/31088/tim-tebow-rules-according-to-the-ncaa |title=Tim Tebow Rules! (According to the NCAA) - SportsCenter.com |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2010-02-14 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Bethany House Publishers |url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100212/ncaa-football-committee-oks-ban-on-eye-black-notes/index.html |title=NCAA Football Committee OKs Ban on 'Eye Black' Notes |publisher=Christianpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref><ref name="Tebow Rule" >{{cite web|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/gators/ncaa-trying-to-ban-messages-on-eye-black-232356.html |title=NCAA trying to ban messages on eye black under the 'Tebow Rule' |publisher=Palmbeachpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref> by media because it would have affected him, banned messages on eye paint.<ref name="Tebow Rule" /> During his college football career, Tebow frequently wore biblical verses on his eye black. In the 2009 BCS Championship Game, he wore [[John 3:16]] on his eye paint, and as a result, 92 million people searched "John 3:16" on Google during or shortly after the game.<ref name="Tebow Rule 2" /><ref name="Tebow Rule" /> Additionally, later, when Tebow switched to another verse, there were 3.43 million searches of "Tim Tebow" and "Proverbs 3:5-6" together.<ref name="Google search">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_uf/2009/09/tebow-draws-more-attention-for-eyeblack-messages.html |title=Tebow draws more attention for eye-black messages – Swamp Things – Gators Blog – Orlando Sentinel |publisher=Blogs.orlandosentinel.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref>
Tebow stated of the searches "It just goes to show you the influence and the platform that you have as a student-athlete and as a quarterback at Florida".<ref name="Google search"/>

The NFL already has a rule like this in prohibiting players from wearing messages on eye black; so, Tebow would not be able to continue the practice in the NFL.<ref name="Tebow Rule" /> Despite the media labeling it as the Tebow rule, the NCAA denies the rule was influenced by Tebow particularly, since many other notable players ([[Reggie Bush]] and [[Terrelle Pryor]] for example) wear or have worn messages on eye black.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=231&articleid=20100416_231_B3_INDIAN106579 |title=NCAA bans wedge, eye black |publisher=Tulsa World |date=2010-04-16 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref><ref name="eye paint">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/16/ncaa-bans-eye-black-with_n_541201.html |title=NCAA Bans Eye Black With Messages |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref> An NCAA spokesman said "When this rule was proposed the committee did not focus on any one team or student athlete. That measure reinforces what the intended use of eye black is, which is to shade the eyes from the sun."<ref name="eye paint" />

==Professional career==
===Pre-draft===
After passing on the [[2009 NFL Draft]] for his senior season at Florida, Tebow went on to enter the [[2010 NFL Draft]]. Despite his college success, Tebow's NFL potential was much debated. According to former [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] coach [[Jon Gruden]], he could "revolutionize" the pro game. Says Gruden: "Tim Tebow is 250 pounds, and he's the strongest human being that's ever played the position. He can throw well enough at any level."<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/08/080012/sp-gruden-not-holding-grudge/sports/ |title=Gruden Not Holding Grudge |newspaper=Tamba Tribune |date=February 8, 2009 |last=Kaufman |first=Ira }}</ref> Former [[Indianapolis Colts]] coach [[Tony Dungy]] said he would pick Tebow with a top 10 pick, and would take him over any quarterback in the 2010 draft.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=cr-inconvenienttruths112509&prov=yhoo&type=lgns |title=Debate over Tebow's draft standing in full swing |work=Yahoo! Sports |last=Robinson |first=Charles |date=November 25, 2009 }}</ref> On the other hand, NFL analyst [[Mel Kiper, Jr.]] believes Tebow does not have the intangibles to play quarterback in the NFL. "I don't think he can be a fulltime quarterback. I don't think he can be the quarterback of the future for you, but I do think in the third round, maybe the second round, he'll be the same as [[Pat White (American football)|Pat White]]", said Kiper.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/27/271621/kiper-tebow-not-nfl-quaterback/sports-colleges/ |title=Kiper: Tebow not an NFL-caliber quarterback |newspaper=Tamba Tribune |last=Richardson |first=Anwar |date=April 27, 2009 }}</ref>

Tebow was particularly mentioned as a potential third round pick of the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]], his hometown team. Some, including Florida governor [[Charlie Crist]], suggested that Tebow could be the remedy for dwindling Jaguars ticket sales at [[EverBank Field]].<ref>{{Citation |url=http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2009-12-08/story/draft_tebow_for_the_jaguars_florida_gov_crist_says |title=Draft Tebow for the Jaguars, Florida Gov. Crist says |last=Hunt |first=David |date=December 8, 2009 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union }}</ref>
Early in the 2009 season, Jaguars owner [[Wayne Weaver]] stated: "He (Tebow) clearly is an outstanding football player and would be an asset to any football organization. Clearly there's going to be a groundswell for Tebow, and we'll have to make that evaluation if we have a draft pick that's going to be anywhere near him."<ref>Kuharsky, Paul: [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4478730] ESPN/NFL/AFC-South, September 16, 2009, "Jags owner: Drafting Tebow possible"</ref> Not everyone in the organization agreed, as Jaguar lineman [[Uche Nwaneri]] posted doubts about Tebow's potential NFL success on his team's website message board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.jaguars.com/index.php?showtopic=681930 |title=jaguars.com forum - Some things you should know before you buy into tebow jesus - Jaguars Forum |publisher=Forum.jaguars.com |date=2010-02-02 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref>
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2¾
| weight = 236
| dash = 4.71
| ten split = 1.55
| twenty split = 2.66
| shuttle = 4.17
| cone drill = 6.66
| vertical = 38½
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 7
| bench =
| wonderlic = 22
| note = All results from NFL Combine<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=66563&draftyear=2010&genpos=QB |title=Tim Tebow &#124; Florida, QB : 2010 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile |publisher=Nfldraftscout.com |date=2006-09-21 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/tim--tebow?id=497135#tabs:tab-overview |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Tim Tebow |publisher=Nfl.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref>
}}

===Denver Broncos===
====2010====
Tebow was drafted by the [[Denver Broncos]] 25th overall in the [[2010 NFL Draft]]. The Broncos received the pick from the [[Baltimore Ravens]] for draft picks in the second, third and fourth rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft. Broncos head coach [[Josh McDaniels]] said about his two first-round selections, which included Tebow, "We want players who are tough, smart, have great character, love football and are passionate about coming here and helping the Broncos win a championship. I think both players fit that role, and I think that's something that we're looking for in all of our players. What we're trying to build here is team chemistry and a team that cares about winning and winning a championship, and that's it." He also added specifically about Tebow, "He has all the traits you look for. It's a good pick."<ref name="Legacy" /> Tebow responded in an interview, saying, "My greatest joy in Denver is going to be to repay Coach McDaniels for believing in me." Tebow also said of his critics, "I just have a passion to play football. When you do things different than other people sometimes do them, and you don't settle for just being average, you open yourself up for criticism. But, I'm ready for it. I've learned to live with it. I never just wanted to do things the same way everybody else does."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft10/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=5127828 |title=2010 NFL Draft: Tim Tebow realizes dream when Denver Broncos select him in first round with 25th pick - ESPN |publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=2010-04-22 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref>

[[ESPN]]'s Bill Williamson said, "Josh McDaniels' legacy ''is'' Tim Tebow."<ref name="Legacy" >{{cite web|last=Williamson |first=Bill |url=http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/12461/mcdaniels-legacy-is-tebow |title=Josh McDaniels' legacy is Tim Tebow - AFC West Blog - ESPN |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2010-04-22 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref>

When asked how Tebow will be used, McDaniels commented that Tebow probably won't start at QB as a rookie; although, he said he'll "play when he's ready." He also said that there could be some packages custom-made for Tebow right away and indicated that he could initially contribute to Denver's variation of the [[wildcat formation]], called the wild horse formation.<ref name="Legacy" />

''[[The Denver Post]]'' columnist [[Woody Paige]] praised the pick, saying "Tim Tremendous may be high risk, but he will be a Mile High Reward...Tebow has become the most celebrated fourth-string rookie quarterback in NFL history, the most controversial quarterback pick by the Broncos since [[Tommy Maddox]] was chosen in exactly the same spot in the first round in 1992, the most decorated player and the most determined quarterback, and the most puzzling dichotomy, in the entire draft."<ref>[http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_14941740 Paige]</ref>

Tebow wore number 15 on his jersey for the Broncos, the same number he wore in college.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=11097 |title=– Official Website Of The Denver Broncos |publisher=Denverbroncos.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref> He set an NFL Draft record for jersey sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aSIiAMznz60k |title=Tebow Sets Jersey Sales Record for NFL Draftee, Topping Sanchez |publisher=Bloomberg.com |date=2010-04-27 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref> He also had the best-selling jersey in the entire NFL each month since being drafted. The Broncos, as a whole, led the NFL among all teams in jersey sales as well.<ref>[http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/07/07/tebow-leads-league-in-jersey-sales/ NFL.com Blogs » Blog Archive Tebow leads league in jersey sales «<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5165547 |title=Tim Tebow's No. 15 No. 1 in April NFL jersey sales - ESPN |publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=2010-05-05 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref>

On July 29, Tebow signed a five-year contract with the Broncos that had a base value of $11.25 million (he can make as much as $33 million through certain performance-based incentives). The contract also included $8.7 million guaranteed.<ref>{{cite news
|url= http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/07/tim-tebow-agrees-to-a-contract-with-denver-broncos/1
|title=Tim Tebow agrees to a contract with Denver Broncos - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com
|work=usatoday.com
|accessdate=July 30, 2010
| date=2010-07-29
|first=Sean
|last=Leahy
}}</ref>

On October 17, Tebow scored his first NFL touchdown, which was a five-yard running play against the [[New York Jets]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Hiatt, Gabe |title='Tooth and Nail' |url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Tooth-and-Nail/676efcd5-1025-45bc-85f0-dbe3493c4c49 |publisher=''denverbroncos.com'' |date=October 17, 2010 |accessdate=October 17, 2010}}</ref> On November 14, Tebow threw a three-yard touchdown pass to [[Spencer Larsen]] on his first career NFL pass attempt, as part of a 49-29 home victory over the [[Kansas City Chiefs]]. He also added a one-yard rushing touchdown in the game.<ref>[http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=301114007 Kyle Orton, Broncos jump out early, follow through to rout Chiefs]. Associated Press. November 14, 2010. Accessed November 15, 2010.</ref> His performance against the Chiefs earned him his first [[Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week]] honor.<ref>http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=rookies&season=2010&seasonType=REG&week=10</ref>

Tebow [[starting lineup|started]] his first NFL game on December 19, which was a 39-23 road loss to the [[Oakland Raiders]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=301219013 |title=Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders - Recap - December 19, 2010 - ESPN |publisher=Scores.espn.go.com |date=2010-12-19 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> Tebow completed eight of 16 passes for 138 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown pass. He also rushed for 78 yards, 40 of which came on a touchdown run in the first quarter of the game. It was the longest touchdown run for a quarterback in Broncos history and the longest touchdown run in NFL history for a quarterback in his first start. Tebow became just the third quarterback in NFL history to throw for a touchdown of 30 or more yards and run for a touchdown of 40 or more yards in the same game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Williamson |first=Bill |url=http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/22013/tim-tebow-bought-himself-more-work |title=Tim Tebow deserves more work - AFC West Blog - ESPN |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2011-01-02 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> He finished the game with a 100.5 passer rating, the highest ever in team history for a professional debut.

Tebow's first career victory came in his second start on December 26. The Broncos defeated the [[Houston Texans]], 24-23, in Denver. Tebow helped rally the Broncos from a 17-0 deficit at halftime, as he finished the game with 308 passing yards and one touchdown pass. He also added a fourth quarter rushing touchdown, which capped the comeback.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=301226007 |title=Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos - Recap - December 26, 2010 - ESPN |publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=2010-12-26 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> Tebow received his second Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honor following his performance.<ref>http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=rookies&season=2010&seasonType=REG&week=16</ref>

Tebow finished his rookie season playing sparingly in six games as a back-up (primarily on plays involving the wild horse formation, which is Denver's variation of the [[wildcat formation]]) before starting the last three games of the Broncos' season. He threw for a total of 654 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 227 yards and six touchdowns. Tebow became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for a touchdown in each of his first three career starts.

====2011====
Tebow began the {{nfly|2011}} season as the the [[Denver Broncos]]' backup [[quarterback]], with [[Kyle Orton]] acting as the starter. After a 1&ndash;4 start and some poor performances, Orton was replaced by Tebow at halftime during a home game against the [[San Diego Chargers]] in the fifth week of the season. Tebow nearly led the Broncos back from a 16-point deficit, as he passed and ran for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Chargers ultimately won the game, 29&ndash;24. Shortly afterward, Broncos' head coach [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]] announced Tebow would start in the following game on the road against the [[Miami Dolphins]]. Tebow and the Broncos struggled in the first three-and-a-half quarters against the Dolphins, but rallied from a 15&ndash;0 deficit in the last three minutes to win the game, 18&ndash;15, in overtime. Denver became the first team in NFL history to win a game after being down by at least 15 points with three minutes to play in a game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Legan |first=Kenny |url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-Triumph-in-Overtime/a39387ce-8dc1-4bde-a985-c57db3f599f0 |title=Broncos Triumph in Overtime |publisher=Denverbroncos.com |date=2011-12-05 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref>

On November 6, Tebow rushed for 117 yards, along with passing for 124 yards and two touchdowns, as part of a 38&ndash;24 road victory over the [[Oakland Raiders]]. It was the first game in his NFL career that Tebow rushed for at least 100 yards. Broncos' [[running back]] [[Willis McGahee]] ran for 163 yards and two touchdowns, making Tebow and McGahee only the fifth quarterback and running back tandem in NFL history to run for at least 100 yards in the same game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=311106013 |title=Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders - Recap - November 06, 2011 - ESPN |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2011-11-06 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> The Broncos followed up a road win over division-rival Oakland with another road win over a division rival, the [[Kansas City Chiefs]]. Tebow completed two passes on eight attempts for 69 yards and a touchdown. His second completion, a 56-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to wide receiver [[Eric Decker]], sealed the game for Denver. Tebow became the fifth quarterback since 1980 to win a game after being the sole quarterback on the winning team to complete two or fewer passes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=311113012 |title=Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs - Recap - November 13, 2011 - ESPN |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2011-11-13 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> Four days later, Tebow was 9-for-20 with 104 yards in a [[Thursday Night Football]] home game against the [[New York Jets]]. He led a 95-yard, game-winning touchdown drive with less than six minutes to play, and the Broncos trailing, 13&ndash;10. On third-and-four, Tebow ran for a 20-yard touchdown with less than one minute remaining. The Broncos won the game, 17&ndash;13.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=311117007 |title=New York Jets vs. Denver Broncos - Recap - November 17, 2011 - ESPN |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2011-11-17 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> Tebow guided the Broncos to another comeback victory the next week—a 16&ndash;13 overtime road win over the San Diego Chargers. He ran the ball 22 times for 67 yards. His 22 rushing attempts were the most by an NFL quarterback since 1950.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=311127024 |title=Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers - Recap - November 27, 2011 - ESPN |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2011-11-27 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref>

In the 10th start of his NFL career, Tebow led the Broncos to their third consecutive come-from-behind win of the season after trailing going into the fourth quarter, as Denver beat the [[Minnesota Vikings]] on the road, 35&ndash;32. It was Tebow's fifth career fourth quarter or overtime comeback victory, which tied the NFL record for the most by a quarterback in his first 10 starts.<ref>{{cite web|author=Hank Siegel FOX31 Sports December 5, 2011 |url=http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-tebow-new-tiger-2011512,0,2605162.story |title=Is Tebow the new Tiger? |publisher=KDVR |date=2011-12-05 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref> The following Sunday, Denver again trailed in the 4th quarter, this time 10-0 against the [[Chicago Bears]]. Tebow threw a touchdown pass with 2:08 left, then drove his team to a tying field goal with 8 seconds remaining and a winning field goal in overtime (both by kicker [[Matt Prater]]) for another dramatic comeback win.

===Statistics===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2|Season
! rowspan=2|Team
! colspan=3|Games
! colspan=8|Passing
! colspan=2|Sacks
! colspan=4|Rushing
! colspan=2|Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! W–L
! Comp !! Att !! Pct !! Yds !! Y/Att !! TD !! INT !! Rating
! # !! Yds
! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! TD
! FUM !! Lost
|-
! [[2010 NFL season|2010]] !! [[2010 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
| 9 || 3 || 1–2
| 41 || 82 || 50.0 || 654 || 8.0 || 5 || 3 || 82.1
| 6 || 26
| 43 || 227 || 5.3 || 6
| 1 || 0
|-
! [[2011 NFL season|2011]] !! [[2011 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
| 10 || 7 || 6–1
| 75 || 158 || 47.5 || 1,054 || 6.7 || 10 || 1 || 87.9
| 18 || 114
| 82 || 468 || 5.7 || 3
| 6 || 2
|-
!colspan=2|Total
| 19 || 10 || 7–3
| 116 || 240 || 48.3 || 1,708 || 7.1 || 15 || 4 || 85.9
| 24 || 140
| 125 || 695 || 5.6 || 9
| 7 || 2
|}

==In the media==

Tebow appeared on the September 2008 cover of ''[[Men's Fitness]]'' magazine.

On April 8, 2010, Tebow was announced as the cover athlete for all three game platforms of the video game [[NCAA Football 11]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/108/1082609p1.html|title=EA Sports Announces Tim Tebow as NCAA Football Cover Athlete|accessdate=2010-04-08}}</ref>

Tebow is a [[spokesperson]] for [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], [[Jockey International]] and FRS Health Energy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-04-08/sports/os-tim-tebow-nike-0408-20100408_1_tim-tebow-nike-family-nfl-draft |title=Nike announces partnership with Tim Tebow - Orlando Sentinel |publisher=Articles.orlandosentinel.com |date=2010-04-08 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jockey.com/tebow/ |title=Professional Football Quarterback Tim Tebow Signs with Jockey® |publisher=Jockey.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-12-21/sports/sfl-tim-tebow-frs-healthy-energy-drink-122110_1_tim-tebow-foundation-endorsement-deal-gators |title=Tebow endorsing FRS Healthy Energy - Sun Sentinel |publisher=Articles.sun-sentinel.com |date=2010-12-21 |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref>

Tebow was the first quarterback featured in [[ESPN]]'s "Year of the Quarterback" series in 2011. The documentary, entitled "Tim Tebow: Everything in Between," followed him from the [[2010 Sugar Bowl]] to the [[2010 NFL Draft]]. It premiered on January 6, 2011.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2011/01/06/tebow-documenary-is-captivating-tv/6432/ | work=Denver Post}}</ref> On November 8, 2011 the documentary was released on [[DVD]].

On May 31, 2011, [[HarperCollins]] released ''Through My Eyes'', an autobiography that Tebow co-wrote with author Nathan Whitaker.<ref name=jones6022011>Lindsay H. Jones, "[http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_18187995 Tim Tebow's autobiography, "Through My Eyes," offers closer look at Denver Broncos quarterback]," ''The Denver Post'' (June 2, 2011). Retrieved June 4, 2011.</ref> Tebow details his early life growing up in Jacksonville and the Philippines, as well as his college football experiences.<ref name=jones6022011/> By June 1, 2011, the book had risen to No. 22 on Amazon.com's bestseller list.<ref name=jones6022011/>

Tebow was selected as the athlete to be featured on the cover of the first edition of the NFL's official magazine, which was released on December 13, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Farrar |first=Doug |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Tebow-makes-the-debut-cover-of-the-NFL-s-new-mag?urn=nfl-wp12965 |title=Tebow makes the debut cover of the NFL’s new magazine - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-09}}</ref>

===Super Bowl Ad===
A nationwide controversy surrounded Tebow's decision to appear in an ad funded by the [[Social conservatism|socially conservative]] organization [[Focus on the Family]] that was broadcast during [[Super Bowl XLIV]] on [[CBS]].<ref>http://www.radaronline.com/sites/default/files/cbs1.pdf</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=By Roland S. Martin, CNN Political Analyst |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/02/06/martin.tebow.superbowl.ad/ |title=Nothing wrong with Tebow Super Bowl ad |publisher=CNN.com |date=2010-02-08 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref> There were two 30-second commercials, which included Tebow's personal story as part of an overall [[pro-life]] stance. The [[abortion]] issue was not specifically mentioned in the ad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/16/tebow-and-controversy-super-bowl-style/ |title=Tebow and controversy, Super Bowl-style &#124; CollegeFootballTalk.com |publisher=Collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com |date=2010-01-16 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref> [[Pro-choice]] groups condemned the ad,<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill/100202 Laud the courage in Tim Tebow's stand]</ref> while [[pro-life]] groups rallied around Tebow.<ref>[http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/more_than_50000_show_support_for_tebow_pro-life_super_bowl_ad/ More than 50,000 show support for Tebow pro-life Super Bowl ad]</ref>

==Awards and honors==
===College===
====2006 season====
*[[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] All-Freshman Team<ref>{{cite web|title=2006 SEC Football All-Freshman Team Announced| url=http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=8065&change_well_id=2|accessdate=2007-11-30 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071215131539/http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=8065&change_well_id=2 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-15}}</ref>
*[[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] Freshman of the Week<ref>{{cite web|title=SEC Football Players of the Week Announced| url=http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=7781&change_well_id=2|accessdate=2007-11-30 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071215131534/http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=7781&change_well_id=2 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-15}}</ref>

====2007 season====
[[File:Tebow.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Tim Tebow in 2007]]
*[[Walter Camp Foundation]] National Offensive Player of the Week<ref>{{cite web|title=Tebow named Walter Camp Foundation Offensive Player of the Week| url=http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=12604&html=football/news/20070916033500.html&sport=footb|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref>
*[[Southeastern Conference]] Offensive Player of the Week, three times<ref>{{cite web|title=SEC Football Players of the Week Announced| url=http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=9505&change_well_id=2|accessdate=2007-11-30 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071215131544/http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=9505&change_well_id=2 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SEC Football Players of the Week Announced| url=http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=9587&change_well_id=2|accessdate=2007-11-30 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071215131550/http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=9587&change_well_id=2 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SEC Football Players of the Week Announced| url=http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=9921&change_well_id=2|accessdate=2007-11-30 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071215131558/http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=9921&change_well_id=2 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-15}}</ref>
*[[Davey O'Brien Award]] winner<ref name=maxwell_obrien>{{cite web|title=Big night for Tebow sets Heisman stage|publisher=[[Orlando Sentinel]]| url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-fbcawards0707dec07,0,7159477.story|accessdate=2007-12-06}}</ref>
*[[Heisman Trophy]] winner
*[[Maxwell Award]] winner<ref name="maxwell_obrien" />
*[[Walter Camp Award]] finalist<ref>{{cite web|title=Tebow, McFadden Named Walter Camp Finalists|publisher=Southeastern Conference| url=http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=10034&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2|accessdate=2007-11-30}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
*[[Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|Sporting News Player of the Year]]
*[[Chic Harley Award|Harley Award winner]]
*[[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Quarterback of the Year|NCAA QB of the Year]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com/PastHonorees.htm | title=NCAA Quarterback of the Year | work=Touchdown Club of Columbus | date=April 6, 2009}}</ref>
*First-team [[Academic All-America]]n<ref name=academicallamerican>''2009 Florida Gators Football Media Guide'', [http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2009/pdf/143-172.pdf History], University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 155 (2009). Retrieved July 12, 2010.</ref>
*[[Manning Award]] finalist<ref name=awards2>{{cite web|title=Florida's Tebow Named Academic All-American, Manning Award Finalist|publisher=GatorZone| url=http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=13070&html=football/news/20071129120600.html&sport=footb|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref>
*[[Rivals.com]] National Offensive Player of the Year<ref name=awards3>{{cite web|title=Rivals.com All-America First Team|publisher=[[Rivals.com]]| url=http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=745101|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref>
*[[Rivals.com]] SEC Offensive Player of the Year<ref name=awards4>{{cite web|title=Decorated Dorsey leads best of the SEC|publisher=[[Rivals.com]]| url=http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=744690|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref>
*First-team All-SEC ([[Associated Press]],<ref name="AP SEC" /> Coaches,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=10081&change_well_id=2|title=2007 All-SEC Football Team Announced|date=December 4, 2007|publisher=Southeastern Conference|accessdate=2008-01-23 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080106181159/http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=10081&change_well_id=2 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-01-06}}</ref> [[Rivals.com]]<ref name="awards4"/>)
*[[Associated Press]] [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] Offensive Player of the Year<ref name="AP SEC">{{cite news|url=http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=10089&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2|title=AP All-SEC Football Team Announced|publisher=Southeastern Conference|date=December 5, 2007|accessdate=2008-01-23 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071208134031/http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=10089&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-08}}</ref>
*[[Associated Press]] Player of the Year<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3160057|title=Tebow outpolls McFadden, Brennan for AP award|publisher=ESPN|date=December 18, 2007|accessdate=2008-01-23}}</ref>
*First-team [[2007 College Football All-America Team|All-American]] by: [[Associated Press]], [[Football Writers Association of America]], [[Walter Camp Football Foundation]], [[Sporting News]], [[Sports Illustrated]], [[ESPN]], [[CBS Sports]], [[College Football News]], [[Rivals.com]], and [[Scout.com]]
*[[James E. Sullivan Award]], awarded to the Nations top amateur athlete<ref>[http://www.aausullivan.org/ Tebow wins Sullivan Award]</ref>
*Roy F. Kramer [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] Male Athlete of the Year.<ref>[http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=11252&change_well_id=2 Tebow, Parker named SEC Athletes of the Year]</ref> Third Florida Gator to win this award, [[Danny Wuerffel]] (won twice) and [[Ryan Lochte]].
*[[ESPY Awards|ESPY]] for [[Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award|Best Male College Athlete]]<ref>[http://news.jacksonville.com/pieceofdiroc/2008/07/17/tebow-wins-an-espy/ Tebow wins ESPY, Florida TImes-Union]</ref>

====2008 season====
*First-team [[2008 College Football All-America Team|All-America]] by [[College Football News]].
*Disney Spirit Award<ref>[http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=14879 Tebow named Disney Spirit Award winner]</ref>
*[[ESPY Awards|ESPY]] for [[Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award|Best Male College Athlete]]
*[[Heisman Trophy]] finalist
*[[Manning Award]] winner
*[[Maxwell Award]] winner
*[[Southeastern Conference]] Offensive Player of the Week<ref>[http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=11757&change_well_id=2 SEC Football Players of the Week Announced]</ref>
*[[2008 SEC Championship Game]] Most Valuable Player
*First-team All-SEC (AP,<ref>[http://www.secsports.com/news/default.aspx?ArticleId=12015|title=2008 AP All-SEC Football Team Announced|date=December 9, 2008|publisher=Southeastern Conference ]</ref> Coaches,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.secsports.com/news/default.aspx?ArticleId=12018|title=2008 All-SEC Football Team Announced|date=December 9, 2008|publisher=Southeastern Conference}}</ref> Rivals.com<ref>[http://www.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=887501 Rivals.com All-SEC Team]</ref>)
*Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year
*Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=11932&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2 |title=SEC Sports News » SEC Football Individual Awards Announced |publisher=Secsports.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-24}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
*[[Wuerffel Trophy]] winner
*First-team [[Academic All-America]]n<ref name=academicallamerican/>

====2009 season====
*[[William V. Campbell Trophy]] (formerly the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy, "The Academic Heisman") winner
*First-team [[Academic All-America]]n<ref name=academicallamerican/>
*[[List of Lowe's Senior CLASS Award football winners|Lowe's Senior CLASS Award]]
*[[Heisman Trophy]] finalist
*First-team All-SEC (AP,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.secsports.com/news/default.aspx?ArticleId=15561|title=All-SEC Football Team Announced|date=December 8, 2009|publisher=Southeastern Conference}}</ref> Coaches,<ref>[http://www2.wrbl.com/rbl/sports/college/article/coaches_select_all-sec_team/114375/ Coaches Select All-SEC Team]</ref> Rivals.com<ref>{{cite web|author=Mike HugueninRivals.com College Football Editor |url=http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1026838 |title=Rivals.com College Football - Rivals.com 2009 All-SEC team |publisher=Collegefootball.rivals.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref>)
*Second-team All-America ([[Walter Camp Foundation]])
*Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year
*Sugar Bowl Most Outstanding Player<ref>{{cite web|author=Casey Bienvenu, Firefly Digital, Inc., www.fireflydigital.com, 800-397-1624 |url=http://allstatesugarbowl.org/site.php?pageID=19&newsID=131 |title=News / Allstate Sugar Bowl |publisher=Allstatesugarbowl.org |date= |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref>
*''Sports Illustrated'' College football Player of the Decade<ref>{{cite news|author=By Stewart Mandel, SI.com |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/15/cfb-highlights-lowlights/index.html |title=Tim Tebow, USC Trojans dominate college football decade - 2000s: The Decade in Sports - SI.com |publisher=Sportsillustrated.cnn.com |date=2009-12-17 |accessdate=2010-05-24}}</ref>

===Professional===
*2× [[Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week]] - Weeks 10 and 16 (2010)

==Tebowing==
"Tebowing" is a [[neologism]] derived from Tebow's propensity for kneeling and praying. The origin of the phrase is credited to fan Jared Kleinstein, who posted a picture with friends on [[Facebook]], in which they mimic a pose by Tebow that was caught on camera following the [[2011 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]' improbable [[overtime]] victory over the [[2011 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] on October 23,[[2011 NFL season| 2011]].<ref name=jones10272011>Lindsay Jones, "[http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2011/10/27/the-story-behind-the-tebowing-crazy/10368/ The Story Behind the 'Tebowing' Craze]," ''The Denver Post'' (october 27, 2011). Retrieved November 5, 2011.</ref> The popularity of the picture led Kleinstein to set up a website showing pictures submitted by people depicting various interpretations of "Tebowing" all over the world.<ref name=jones10272011/>

==See also==
{{Portal box|American football|Biography|College football}}
*[[2007 College Football All-America Team]]
*[[2008 College Football All-America Team]]
*[[2009 College Football All-America Team]]
*[[2006 Florida Gators football team]]
*[[2008 Florida Gators football team]]
*[[List of Denver Broncos first-round draft picks]]
*[[List of Florida Gators football players]]
*[[List of Heisman Trophy winners]]
*[[Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Most Valuable Player|List of SEC Most Valuable Players]]
*[[List of University of Florida alumni]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==
*Carlson, Norm, ''University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators'', Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia (2007). ISBN 0-7948-2298-3.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.timtebow.com Official website]
* [http://www.ufl.edu/spotlight/tebow.html Tebow's Profile on the University of Florida website]
* [http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2009&player_id=93 Player bio on the Gator website]
* {{Heisman|id=t-tebow07|name=Tim Tebow}}
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/24000/ Sports Illustrated player card]
*
{{S-start}}
{{S-ach|aw}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Kevin Durant]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award]] Winner | years=2008 & 2009}}
{{S-aft|after=[[John Wall (basketball)|John Wall]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{Florida Gators quarterback navbox}}
{{2010 NFL Draft}}
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{{Navboxes
|title = Tim Tebow &mdash; Championships, awards and honors
|list1 =
{{FHSAA's All-Century Team}}
{{ESPNRISE 2000s All-Decade team}}
{{2007 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All Americans}}
{{Heisman Trophy winners}}
{{Maxwell Award Winners}}
{{AP Players of the Year}}
{{Sporting News College Football Player of the Year}}
{{Chic Harley Award}}
{{Wuerffel Trophy}}
{{Davey O'Brien Award}}
{{Manning Award}}
{{College Football Quarterback of the Year}}
{{Sullivan Award winners}}
{{William V. Campbell Trophy}}
{{Lowe's Senior CLASS Award - Football}}
{{Disney Sports Spirit Award}}
{{SEC Championship Game MVPs}}
{{SEC Male Athlete of the Year}}
{{Football Academic All-America of the Year}}
{{2006 Florida Gators football}}
{{2008 Florida Gators football}}
{{EA Sports NCAA Football series cover athletes}}
}}
{{Persondata
|NAME = Tebow, Tim
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Tebow, Timothy Richard; Tebow, Timothy R.
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = All-American college football player, professional football player, quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner
|DATE OF BIRTH = August 14, 1987
|PLACE OF BIRTH = Manila, Philippines
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tebow, Tim}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:American Christians]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Denver Broncos players]]
[[Category:Florida Gators football players]]
[[Category:Heisman Trophy winners]]
[[Category:James E. Sullivan Award recipients]]
[[Category:Maxwell Award winners]]
[[Category:Parade High School All-Americans (football)]]
[[Category:People from Jacksonville, Florida]]
[[Category:People from Makati City]]
[[Category:People from St. Johns County, Florida]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Florida]]
[[Category:U.S. Army All-American football players]]


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Revision as of 20:04, 15 December 2011

5 'And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.

6 But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

7 'In your prayers do not babble as the gentiles do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard.

8 Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

matthew 6 5-8

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