Tim Tebow: Why Is the Denver Broncos Quarterback so Polarizing?

Last night the Denver Broncos were humiliated 45-10 at Gillette Stadium by the heavily favored New England Patriots. 

It was an ugly game from start to finish for the Broncos. 

It was a masterpiece for the Patriots. Tom Brady skillfully guided the Patriots up and down the field, seemingly at will all night. The Broncos didn't have an answer for all of that offensive fire power. 

This isn't to say that what the Broncos have accomplished this season hasn't been remarkable. 

After beginning the season 1-4, the Broncos installed Tim Tebow as their starting quarterback who led the team to seven wins versus four losses in the regular season. 

While 8-8 isn't exactly stellar, it was enough for the Broncos to win the feeble AFC West and earn a date with the storied Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild card round. 

We all know what happened in that game.  Tebow connected with breakout star Demaryius Thomas for an 80 yard touchdown on the first play of overtime.

So let's recap. Tebow finished the season with a 7-4 record and won a playoff game. 

He even inspired the CBS TV crew to take their shot at tebowing after that most improbable playoff win. 

Let's get back to that word from the last sentence...inspired. 

It's an important word in the vocabulary of all Denver Broncos, their fans and this country as a whole. 

No one can deny that Tim Tebow inspired his teammates and coaches. It was evident week in and week out on the field of play. 

It's funny though, because as inspiring as Tebow has been to those involved with the Broncos organization as well as their fans, he has been just as inspiring to countless other people across the country and the world. 

It's been well documented through all of the coverage that surrounds Tebow that he does terrific work across the globe through his foundation. A lot of people will tell you that the coverage is excessive. And maybe it is.

Or maybe there is finally a professional athlete that many people can relate to. A guy who wears his faith on his sleeve. A man who lives the values that he says he will. A man who spends his pre-game hanging out with someone who is going through an extremely difficult situation hoping to brighten their day. 

All this brings me to my point.  There is not a single person in the American public's eye that is as polarizing as Tim Tebow. 

It begs the question. How can anyone dislike him? 

I can't begin to figure it out. 

His mechanics are terrible. 

He talks too much about God.

He's overhyped.

These are often the most popular things in which critics cite. 

His mechanics aren't akin to Tom Brady's, that's true. Yet he still manages to make big time NFL throws. More than that, this was just his second full season as an NFL quarterback. How many second year quarterback's have led their teams to the postseason and gotten a win. No less accomplishing this after taking over a fledgling team who is sitting with a 1-4 record. 

He talks too much about God?  Yes, he does thank Jesus Christ before he begins every press conference.  Yes he signs his tweets, GB2...God Bless and Go Broncos. He doesn't say that you or I have to believe what he believes in. He simply lets you know what his beliefs are. It's his contention that he's in the position that he's in, ultimately because of God's good grace. Who are any of us to argue with that. 

His faith has long been questioned and the pundits, fans and even other players have all chimed in.  One Steelers player even went so far as to say that the Steelers didn't need God to beat the Broncos. Yet there was no outrage over that statement. I for one, believe that God doesn't take an interest in determining the outcome of sporting events. I believe that He has much bigger and more important things on His plate. 

But imagine the audacity of such a statement.

You can't turn on the TV or check out a sports themed website without reading a story, a quote, something relating to Tim Tebow.  He is very hyped up.  

Who hypes someone up though.  That's right, it's the media.

I actually read a story the other day, which I have no idea whether it was true or not, but Katy Perry, you know the Pop Music Sensation, her parents are interested in trying to set her up with none other than Tim Tebow.

How is that a story? Because people will read it. They'll read it because in the headline, it said Tim Tebow. 

They write about him and talk about him because it stirs a good debate. To rip off a George W. Bush statement, you're either with Tebow or you're against Tebow. 

I, for one, am with him.  He's got the potential to be a great NFL quarterback and more than that, by all accounts, he seems to be an extraordinary human being. 

For all of you naysayers, I'll say this: In the words of Tom Brady, we'll be seeing you again Tim Tebow.