Tim Tebow: Everything to Know About His Crazy Year

From touchdown machine and Heisman Trophy winner to unconventional NFL phenom and fan favorite, Tim Tebow continues to embark on a legendary journey.

With hardcore religious beliefs and a zealous demeanor, the former Florida Gator legend simultaneously garnered a surfeit of loyal followers around the league who now yearn for that next magical play and a wide array of harsh critics who expect epic failure.

With his unorthodox style and eccentric personality, Tebow continues to hog the NFL spotlight.

Let's take a look at his historic 2011.

Enjoy.

A Backup Role

With John Elway clearly not in love with Josh McDaniel's 2010 first-round pick, Tim Tebow was seemingly destined for a permanent spot on the Denver bench.

Even as a third-stringer behind starter Kyle Orton and backup Brady Quinn at one point, the quirky southpaw appeared headed for either a change of position or a new team.

Tebow-mania level: 0.5

Window of Opportunity

Following a 1-4 start to the season and mediocre quarterback play from Kyle Orton, Denver fans were pleading for a change, yearning for some excitement.

As one former third-stringer respectfully waited for his chance, the chants of T-E-B-O-W echoed throughout INVESCO Field at Mile High (once known as Mile High Stadium). 

Tebow-mania level: 0.9

Fans Begin to Fizzle

Coach John Fox seemingly had no choice in whether or not to start the passionate passer as the diehard Denver faithful were beginning to cloud the field with its disapproval of Kyle Orton.

Fans continue to dictate NFL teams' decision making.

Tebow-mania level: 1.4

Charging Ahead

Finally it was Tebow time...

The hairy, yet mysteriously-terrible Kyle Orton was replaced at halftime during a home game against the San Diego Chargers in the fifth week of the season by an exuberant lefty yearning for a shot. 

While Philip Rivers' squad eventually won 29-24, Tebow ran for a touchdown and passed for another en route to a near-comeback despite being down 16 points.

Following the game, Broncos head coach John Fox naturally named his young quarterback the starter against the Miami Dolphins for the next week.

Tebow-mania level: 3.16 (needing a prayer)

A Sparked Legacy

Tebow-mania may not have began as fans had hoped, considering the team seemed lost for three-and-a-half quarters against the Dolphins, but it certainly lived up to its promise in the fourth quarter. 

Behind the fiery, effective influx of energy from their signal-caller, Denver eventually became the first team in NFL history to win after being down by at least 15 points with three minutes to play in a game.

Tebow-mania level: 4.3

Saturday Night Live Jumps on the Bandwagon

As Tebow-mania continued to garner worldwide acclaim, it finally reached the pinnacle of fame.

A Saturday Night Live feature signals a developing legacy, despite the brown-nosing insinuation that was produced.

Tebow-mania level: 4.5

A Featured Athlete

Not only was he the cover athlete on the first edition of the official NFL magazine in December of 2011, but Tim Tebow was made into a superhero by Marvel Comics.

Earning the moniker "Super Tim," this holy icon seemed destined for immortality.

Tebow-mania level: 5.4

Raiding Cities

Entering a crucial division game against the rival Oakland Raiders on November 6, Tebow and company put on a rushing clinic, with 117 yards from the quarterback position and 163 yards from the tailback spot.

Not only did Tebow and Willis McGahee become only the fifth quarterback-halfback tandem in history to run for at least 100 yards in the same game, but they gave fans a glimpse into a bright ground-and-pound future.

In his first game rushing for over 100 yards, Tebow finally seemed to be gaining some confidence.

Tebow-mania level: 6.4

Skip Bayless' First Love

While we have sensed a Tim Tebow obsession from Skip Bayless for awhile now, this mix just sums up the opinionated journalist's obnoxious nature.

We must, however, respect his admirable support.

Tebow-mania level: 5.5 (more annoying than awe-inspiring)

Terrell Suggs Slugs the Mania

While we agree with the 14-sack Defensive Player of the Year that Tim Tebow's club didn't quite win the AFC West, we wholeheartedly disagree with Terrell Suggs' suggestion that he could produce similar numbers.

He may be able to run through a throng of defenders, but the thirsty linebacker seems a bit too eager to possess any pocket presence.

Tebow-mania level: 4.6 (haters are hating)

Booming Criticisms Continue

In writing a novel with his expert critiques of Tim Tebow, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Boomer Esiason seemingly inherited the role of biggest hater.

While his comments weren't completely dumbfounded, they reeked of a passionate desire for the former Gator to fail.

Never afraid to speak his mind, Esiason easily garners more listeners with his mouth shut.

Tebow-mania level: 5.8 (the underdog story)

Tebowing Reaches the Streets

Seemingly an arbitrary act of weirdness, "Tebowing" involves getting down on one knee and praying to the higher powers.

With beautiful women and loyal enthusiasts emulating the worldwide phenomenon's signature celebration, it became clear that Tebow-mania had finally reached full force.

Tebow-mania level: 8.0

The Big Stage

On Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets, Tebow seemingly gave his opponents a case of Gang Green in leading his Broncos on a 95-yard, game-winning touchdown drive with fewer than six minutes remaining. 

On 3rd-and-4, Tebow ran for a 20-yard touchdown that secured a 17-13 win on perhaps the biggest stage in sports.

Tebow-mania level: 9.0 (a budding star)

All He Does Is Win

With DJ Khaled seemingly supporting him, Tim Tebow didn't need anyone else's approval.

The hip-hop realm will lead him to greatness.

Tebow-mania level: 8.0 (weird, but hilarious)

Shadowing the Game

While it clearly wasn't the first time he'd been on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it was surely his most glamorous.

Ironically, this was perhaps the only shot of him throwing the ball as he was routinely photographed at the end of a brutal run or the middle of a fiery speech.

Honing his abilities once again.

Tebow-mania level: 8.8

Jimmy Fallon Catches on

Whether you're a ferocious atheist or a steaming religionist, this Tim Tebow parody will make you smile.

From emulating Jim Morrison and singing "Reading Rainbow" to covering "Pants on the Ground" as Neil Young, Jimmy Fallon has yet to shy away from the obscure mash-up.

A true lyrical genius.

Tebow-mania level: 8.9

A Roller-Coaster Ride

With comeback victories against the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears in the following couple of weeks, Tebow had recorded the most come-from-behind fourth-quarter or overtime victories in the first 11 career starts of any quarterback in history.

However, three consecutive heart-wrenching losses followed and Tebow-mania had seemingly faded.

With their quarterback throwing three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) against the New England Patriots and finishing with a rating of 20.6 the following week in a 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, fans were beginning to cringe in bewilderment.

Tebow-mania level: 4.2 (question marks arise)

Brian Urlacher Isn't Awe-Inspired

While Tim Tebow did complete 21 out of 40 passes for 236 yards with one touchdown and one interception, it was his opponent's lack of gridiron awareness that allowed another comeback.

Marion Barber's baffling out-of-bounds run during the killing of the clock and eventual fumble later in the game allowed Matt Prater to kick field goals of 59 and 51 yards.

Bears star Brian Urlacher was clearly more impressed with his opponent's unspectacular 49 yards rushing.

“He’s a good running back, man. He runs the ball well."

Tebow-mania level: 6.8 (Brian Urlacher knows his name!)

A Higher Power

With the Denver Broncos making the playoffs by default following an Oakland Raiders loss, a game against the experienced Pittsburgh Steelers was inching closer.

After Vice President and former legend John Elway said his signal caller was playing fearfully and had to "pull the trigger," Tim Tebow threw for a career-high 316 yards and two touchdowns to lead the mile-high city to the second round of the playoffs.

It was his 80-yard touchdown strike to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime that had fans in a frenzy.

Interestingly, his NFL record for yards per completion in a playoff game (31.6) and passing yards (316) both stirred up talk about the Bible's John 3:16, which Tebow was known to paste on his eye black while in college.

With the Nielsen ratings also curiously reaching a climax of 31.6, the NFL had to wonder...

John 3:16 was naturally the steamiest search on Google the following morning.

Tebow-mania level: 9.3 (he might be Jesus Christ)

Tebow Time

As he looks back on his inspirational road to success, Tim Tebow can feel good about his promising future.

While he did lead his Broncos to a promising record of 8-5 and their first playoff appearance and victory since the 2005-06 season, the inconsistent bruiser averaged the fewest passing yards per game of any starting quarterback in the regular season (124), easily evoking questions about his potential.

In the end, Tebow will go as far as his determined heart and zealous drive takes him.

At least he'll get the shot he deserves.

Tebow-mania level: 8.7 (only time will tell whether he reaches 10.0)