Top 10 Opinions on Tim Tebow Around the Web Today

Tim Tebow is currently the most popular athlete in sports, and he is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about people on the planet.

He's a phenomenon, and that's whether you like it or not.

Many people love him for his unabashed faith, gritty play and leadership.

Others despise him for being too open about his faith, or just don't think he can succeed as an NFL quarterback.

No matter where you stand when it comes to Tebow, it's hard to ignore him.

He's everywhere, and everybody has an opinion.

Here are today's top 10 opinions.

Some of them are cool and collected while others are out of left field. Some are pro-Tebow and others aren't as nice.

Some are controversial.

My twitter handle is AKonSports, which means I give my take on sports, duh.

I'll give you my take on these stories, and then I want you to give me yours.

Let's do it.

10. His Throwing Motion Isn't That Horrible

Article: "Tim Tebow's odd mechanics not a fatal flaw" by Julian Benbow of The Boston Globe

Argument: While Tebow's mechanics are definitely questionable, they are unsalvageable. In fact, according to experts cited in Benbow's article, his throwing motion is correctable and he is getting better and more comfortable as a thrower.

AKonSports' Take: This has been my number one gripe with Tebow since the beginning, and I think it's only fair we start off with a football argument.

From a pure football standpoint, he doesn't have the mechanics you'd like to see from a quarterback, and that point has proven itself in some very nasty throws.

There is no denying that at least to the naked eye, his throws are improving. 

It may not be his mechanics—in fact, I don't think it is—but it has more to do with him being comfortable in the scheme.

He's starting to find a rhythm, and in sports where accuracy is key, rhythm is a huge factor.

I still question his long-term prospects, but for now he just needs to take it a game at a time and win however he knows how to.

That's the beauty of the playoffs.

9. Bad Quarterback, Great Guy

Article: "Tim Tebow, the philanthropist" by David Clark Scott of The Christian Science Monitor

Argument: Football aside, Tebow is a really good guy.

AKonSports' Take: I agree with this article wholeheartedly and I challenge everyone reading this to read it with an open mind.

To be very frank, reading about the special attention that Tebow devotes to needy and hurting fans before and after games is inspiring.

Reading this caused me to stop for a moment and reflect on my life and perhaps how selfish I can be.

Here's a guy that for all intents and purposes can indulge in any form of selfishness that he wants, but he truly does care about other people.

I hate on Tebow a ton for his quarterbacking skills, but I cannot argue that he seems to be a great human being.

8. Tebow and Brady Aren't That Different

Article: "Tim Tebow And Tom Brady: Opposite In Every Way? Maybe Not." by Patrik Jonsson via ABC News.

Argument: For all their differences, Brady and Tebow are actually alike.

AKonSports' Take: At first, I couldn't disagree more with the title of this article.

From a pure quarterback standpoint, you're looking at two players that couldn't be any more different. Brady is a pure pocket-passing quarterback, while Tebow is more of a fullback that can occasionally throw the ball.

While reading the article, though, I found myself coming to agree with the point. While they are vastly different players, they both possess that "it factor" that it takes to lead a professional football team.

Who would have thought there could be a similarity between the two?

7. Tebow Offends Because He Makes You Think

Article: "Inspirational or offensive, Tim Tebow's no phony" by Linda Robertson of The Miami Herald

Argument: Tebow's realness about life and his beliefs make people uncomfortable, but that's no reason to hate him.

AKonSports' Take: Essentially that was the argument that I got out of this piece, but there are several other good points that Robertson made.

Like it or not, Tebow does fly in the face of everything that pop culture and our politically correct society tells us, and that makes him a target to many.

Instead of trumpeting sex, drugs and rock n' roll, he's all about waiting until marriage and spending time with the less fortunate instead of partying.

If you're honest, you probably can't help but feel a little bit guilty when it comes to seeing how Tebow lives his life. I know I do.

Thing is, it's not his fault, that's really up to us.

I agree with this article; don't hate Tebow for who he is because we're not living up to the standards.

I've never heard him hold anybody else to those standards, but maybe we are subconsciously doing that ourselves.

6. Tebow and Sarah Palin Are Alike

Article: "Why Tim Tebow Is The Sarah Palin Of Football" by Allison Yarrow of thedailybeast.com

Argument: Both Tebow and Palin receive far too much hype and that covers up their insufficiencies, yet they are adored by their supporters.

AKonSports' Take: I agree with the basic premise that Tebow is over-hyped and that his fans seems to look past his flaws because of that, and I think it's somewhat creative how Yarrow compared him to another popular figure that received the same treatment.

Frankly, I'm not a politics writer; I'm a sports writer. To be even more frank, I don't think the two should coexist whatsoever.

While I applaud miss Yarrow for her creativity and gusto on this piece, it's a comparison that will just lead to more hype, and at this point it's unnecessary.

5. Is Tebow Football's Next Big Thing?

Article: "Is Tim Tebow the next American football hero?" by Dave George of The Palm Beach Post

Argument: George compares Tebow's young career to that of Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach and points out the similarities in the college success and criticism they both took entering the NFL. Essentially he's saying, Staubach did it, and in football anything is possible.

AKonSports' Take: I hesitate to mention Tebow in the same sentence as Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, let alone a guy like Staubach.

George does point out some similarities that prove his point, and it is true that every one of our football heroes had to start someplace.

That being said, let's really slow down this train right now.

Before we can start comparing Tebow to the all-time greats, he needs to put himself into that discussion.

Being a good guy and a clutch player in one postseason game is not enough.

4. Tebow's Not the Only One

Article: "Tim Tebow isn't first athlete to mix sport, faith" by Bob Smietana of The Tennessean

Argument: Tebow isn't the only athlete that is outspoken about his faith, and there have been stars to do so in the past. Reggie White and Kurt Warner are good examples of that.

AKonSports' Take: This is an excellent point, but it leaves me wondering one thing.

What is it that makes Tebow so different?

Other athletes that are open about faith have taken both the same heat and praise that Tebow has, but there was never such thing as "Warner Mania."

What is it that makes Tebow a phenomenon?

That is a question that I literally don't know how to answer.

Bonus Slide: Random Tebow News

You've made it through the Tebow mania this far, which means you actually care. Because you're awesome, I'm going to hook you up with some of the latest news and cool Tebow facts.

 

Tim Tebow has 1.4M Fans on Facebook: According to Will Brinson of CBSSports.com,Tebow's Facebook page is pretty popular. Oh yeah, he uses Timeline.

AKonSports' Take: Will somebody please make me a fan page? Really.

 

Tebow Is A Good Endorsement: Didn't see this one coming, did ya? Apparently when Tebow endorses something it does pretty well, according to the Associated Press via NFL.com.

AKonSports' Take: I wonder how I could get a Tebow endorsement, or at least some of the phone numbers that are sent his way.

 

Jimmy Fallon Creates Tebowie: Justin Sablich of The New York Times does us a favor and hooks us up to this tremendous video.

AKonSports' Take: Tebow plus Bowie plus Fallon equals friggin' awesome.

 

3. Don't Credit Divine Intervention

Article: "Celebrate Tebow, but slow down divine intervention talk" by Mac Engel via Kansascity.com

Argument: Tebow's success should not be attributed to divine intervention.

AKonSports' Take: Engel's point is that if you look at anything hard enough you can find a case for "divine intervention," as many freaked out about Tebow throwing for 316 yards last week against Pittsburgh.

He also backs up the point by making this gem of a quote:

"

In a poll conducted by Poll Position on Jan. 8, 1,076 registered voters answered whether they believe Tebow's success is a result of divine intervention. Forty-three percent said they thought divine intervention was the reason.

So why did recently retired Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna never have this success? Kitna displays his faith just as much as Tebow. Why has Mark Brunell not won 15 Super Bowls?

Tebow's success on the field has more to do with the fact that he is a 86-foot-2, 236-pound man with superior athletic skills than it does his ability to recite Psalms 23.

"

This is absolutely fantastic, and it makes a ton of sense. What makes Tebow so special that he receives divine intervention to play football games, while there are people suffering all over the world that could use it more?

Truthfully, that flies in the face of Tebow's faith, but he's not the one making it about divine intervention.

All he is is thankful for the opportunity and the ability. No force other than Tebow threw that touchdown last week.

Good for him.

2. Race Plays a Factor

Article: "Tim Tebow: What's Race Got To Do With It?" by Dr. Charles K. Ross of The Wall Street Journal

Argument: We must examine whether or not Tebow received favorable treatment as a player that struggles at the quarterback position because of his race.

AKonSports' Take: I do not believe race plays a factor in the success of Tebow. This is ridiculous.

Dr. Ross went a long way in telling the stories of many African American quarterbacks that weren't given a fair shake and patience from their coaches, and I won't deny that at that time perhaps some of it had to do with race, if not all of it.

I have to believe that things are changing now though, and that no matter white or black, Tebow would be getting this opportunity to play because he in fact is just Tim Tebow.

I understand the premise of the argument, but I don't agree with it.

1. Tebow Is a Phenomenon

Article: "He's a Quarterback, He's a Winner, He's a TV Draw, He's a Verb" by Dan Barry of the New York Times

Argument: Love him or hate him, the world can't get enough of Tebow.

AKonSports' Take: I can think of no better way to close this out. Barry does an excellent job laying out all the reasons why Tebow is, well, Tebow.

His life story, his athleticism and success at Florida, all the odds he's fighting in the NFL, his active faith and deeds and his charisma.

Tebow is literally a phenomenon, and I don't see him going away soon.

Let's all just calm down a bit, okay?