Tim Tebow Did Not Know Tim Tebow Was on the Cover of GQ This Month

For most athletes, landing the cover of GQ would be a big deal.

Tim Tebow didn't learn he was on the cover until he overheard it on ESPN in the Jets cafeteria.

According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com:

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"Most of you knew I was on there before I knew, so it's kind of a shocker for me," he told reporters Thursday after the final practice in Cortland. "It was something I think I did maybe six years ago in college. Honestly, the first time I heard (about the cover) was when we were in the cafeteria and it was on ESPN. That's when I found out, so it was kind of a shocker to me as well."

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Magazines recycle old photos all the time, but it is particularly shocking that Tebow had no idea his face would grace the cover until hearing the report.

It is also strange that they tried to create a false impression that they had a recent photo shoot with the league's most talked about back-up quarterback. GQ modified the colors so much that the Gator blue becomes almost a Jets Green.

The pictures are stirring up quite the controversy, not for being dated, but because of religious overtones.

In one photo Tebow strikes a crucifix-like pose, but the Jets' quarterback vehemently denies that the photo has any kind of religious association.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:

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“Was I trying to do anything as far as the crucifix?” Tebow said.  “Absolutely not.  I mean, I don’t know — it was six years ago, I don’t even remember what I was doing, but I wasn’t trying to do anything like that though.”

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Tebow has been the talk of Jets camp, and continues to battle Mark Sanchez for the starting quarterback spot on the depth chart.

The GQ controversy will have no effect on that battle, but just throws more fuel on the fire that is Tebow's media attention.

While it is uncertain who will be the starter for the Jets for the majority of the year at the quarterback position, one thing is certain: ESPN will continue to keep Tim Tebow updated on all things Tim Tebow.

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