Tim Tebow's Easter Sermon Proves He Is More Than Just a Quarterback

Tim Tebow is known for two things: his unorthodox approach to quarterbacking in the NFL and his religion.

His QB skills are the subject of constant scrutiny and analysis, and now that he’s fighting for a starting gig once again with the New York Jets, those arguments won’t be subsiding anytime soon.

But what makes Tebow one of the most popular celebrities in the country right now is his religious beliefs.

So when he decides to speak on the topic of religion, and more specifically Christianity, the crowd is going to be huge. Just listen to the description of the Easter Sunday sermon in Texas, which 15,000 people attended (via CBS News):

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Some at the "Easter on the Hill" morning service under sunny skies about 20 miles north of Austin drove more 100 miles to hear Tebow speak. The service took on the feel of a rock concert with more than a 100 school buses shuttling people to the sprawling mega-church campus from local shopping centers and the nearby college.

The service was peppered with lively Christian rock songs and Tebow took the large stage to cheers from those who could see him while others toward the back watched on massive video screens. He sat for a 20-minute interview with Pastor Joe Champion to talk about his faith and its role in his public life.

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It’s pretty incredible to think that a 24-year-old kid has the ability to create such a buzz. He has already penned a best-selling book and is one of the most marketable athletes in all of sports. We all know about the “Tebowing” phenomena and the mentions of his Lord and Savior at every press conference. He is using the platform given to him to spread a message he truly believes in.

You can say a lot about the guy, but you can’t call him a phony. I think a big part of his fanbase realizes this and are thrilled to have such a high-profile celebrity down for a cause they also believe in without a heavy dose of sarcasm.  

You don’t have to agree with him. You can hate every part of religion, but you have to respect Tebow for taking a stand on something he truly believes in. He is willing to alienate a large part of the NFL universe in doing so and that’s what sets him apart from virtually every other player in the league.

Peyton Manning would never take a hard stand on anything more significant than Gatorade. Ditto for Tom Brady and Uggs. They have a platform, and they decided to cash-in on it. Sure, Tebow makes money from his book and his speech, but that’s not his motivation for doing so. He isn’t afraid to alienate certain people.

It’s a fresh approach to stardom, and I applaud Tebow for his actions. Judging by the turnout at Sunday’s sermon, I’m not the only one who agrees. 

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.