Tim Tebow: Is the Denver Broncos Quarterback Becoming a Phenomenon?

Depending on who you ask, a phenomenon could be defined as a rare occurrence.

Although not authentic, a phenomenon could also evoke mysticism.

Whether or not a higher power (God) has sent someone to alert our consciousness, remains a mystery.

What is so mystifying right now in the National Football League is the maturation of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.

If you do not know by now, Tebow has taken the NFL by storm.

The second-year QB has led the Broncos to six straight wins. His latest conquest: rallying Denver from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Tebow rallied the Broncos with a touchdown pass and two field goals (one in both regulation and overtime). Denver went on to defeat the Bears 13-10.

What is so ironic about this Broncos win: It was the fourth straight game in which Tebow has led a fourth-quarter comeback.

Since taking over at quarterback in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, the Broncos are 7-1 (8-5 overall) and in first place in the AFC West.

Considering where Denver was on October 23 when Tebow took over as the starter, the Broncos have gone from being one of the league's worst to a late-season contender. With three games remaining ( New England at home, at Buffalo and Kansas City at home), Denver has a great chance to win the division. The Oakland Raiders (7-6) are a game behind, and have remaining games against Detroit at home, at Kansas City and San Diego at home to close out the season. Both teams split their two regular-season games.

Other than the undefeated defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, the Broncos are the hottest commodity in the NFL, and Tebow is the reason why.

Tebow is leading a major renaissance in sports (both college and professional) that has seen its infrastructure take a hit with sex scandals, lockouts (NBA and NFL), drug abuse and the latest black eye: the college basketball fight between crosstown rivals, Cincinnati and Xavier, last weekend.

If any man can lead a sports revival, it is Tebow.

A devout christian, Tebow kneels in prayer during games, a welcome sight to not only the NFL, but sports in general. Not only that, but the way Tebow handles himself with both the media and fans alike is a welcome sight.

In a sport that has a lot of prima donnas, Tebow addresses every question with universal appeal. Tebow is so unselfish that everything he mentions is about the team and not himself. However, there are many that frown on both his gestures and his ascension to becoming a pop icon, and like always, Tebow just brushes the critics off. The reason: his faith.

Because of his faith, Tebow gives credit where it is due.

All of his life, Tebow has had to shake off criticism. Even his birth was a complication. His mother (Pamela) gave birth to Tebow in the Philippines. While there, his mother contracted a life-threatening disease, and because of it, doctors had suggested that abortion would be the best option. However, his mother was totally against it and the miracle child was born.

Surviving that was a miracle, but the biggest miracle Tebow has had to overcome is everyone questioning his ability to play quarterback.

Tebow, who matriculated at the University of Florida, has heard of his inability to play the position all of his life. Even after winning two national championships at Florida ('06 and '08), winning the Heisman Trophy ('07) and setting numerous records at Florida, he still had his critics.

The criticism of him not being a true passer and his workouts at the pre-draft combine caused his draft stock to drop. Tebow was drafted by the Broncos with the 25th pick in 2010.

Denver did not rush to play him immediately and, despite fans wanting him to play, Tebow was not yet ready for action. With the Broncos having a bad season, Tebow would finally receive playing time.

Broncos fans would get their wish to see Tebow in Week 6. In a 24-20 loss to the New York Jets, Tebow scored his first-ever NFL touchdown—a five-yard run in the second quarter. His first start came in Week 15, in a 39-23 loss to the Raiders. He posted modest numbers: 8-of-16 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown pass, a team-leading 78 yards (eight attempts) rushing and a 40-yard touchdown run. The following week, Tebow would throw for 308 yards and a touchdown to lead the Broncos to a 24-23 win over the Houston Texans.

Even though his baptism to the NFL received raved reviews, Tebow knew there was work to be done.

He would work extremely hard on his passing mechanics during the past offseason, but head coach John Fox would relegate Tebow to backup behind Kyle Orton. Fans became incensed after this season's 1-4 start, and it became apparent that it was time for a quarterback change. In Week 5 against San Diego, Tebow was inserted in the third quarter for an ineffective Orton, and almost rallied the Broncos, accounting for two scores in the 29-24 loss to the Chargers.

After Denver's bye, the Tim Tebow legacy would officially begin.

Since becoming the starter, the Broncos have rallied behind Tebow. His work ethic and professionalism have become contagious, and Denver is a totally different team. The entire team has bought into his "just believe" philosophy.

That became obvious in Week 11 against the Jets in a nationally televised Thursday night game.

Trailing 13-10, Tebow led the Broncos on an improbable 95-yard game-winning drive. Tebow's mettle was at the forefront. With 5:54 remaining, Denver took over at its own 5-yard line. Tebow, who had been ineffective most the game, led the Broncos into Jets territory.

Facing a 3rd-and-4 from the Jets' 20, Tebow faced an all-out blitz and became a modern-day Broncos hero. Tebow evaded several defenders and darted 20 yards to the end zone for the touchdown, which will forever be etched in the minds of Denver fans as "The Drive: Version 2."

"The Drive" was engineered by former Broncos quarterback and current team executive John Elway in the 1987 AFC Championship game against the Cleveland Browns. Elway executed a 15-play, 92-yard comeback drive, as Denver tied the game and would go on to a 23-20 win in overtime.

Denver would go on to lose in the Super Bowl to the Washington Redskins, but fans will always remember Elway's late-game miracle. Elway would eventually lead the Broncos to back-to-back titles in 1997 and '98.

Tebow hopes to emulate Elway and lead Denver back to the championship game, but his game is still a work in progress.

The game-winning heroics against the Jets silenced some doubters, but Tebow still has his detractors that meticulously pick out his weaknesses, which is without a doubt his passing skills.

Tebow will not make anyone forget about Elway, Dan Marino, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady with his passing statistics. His 48.5 percent completion percentage is the lowest of any starting quarterback. Tebow has thrown for 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns. In Denver's 17-10 win over Kansas City in Week 10, Tebow was 2-of-8 passing for only 69 yards. However, one of the completions went for a 56-yard score.

In an era of high-octane offenses, Tebow is a throwback of yesterday.

A conventional passing game is throwing the ball vertically, but Tebow would rather run the ball. The year he won the Heisman ('07), Tebow accounted for 55 touchdowns (32 passing and 23 rushing). No other player in NCAA history had ever accomplished such a feat. This season, Tebow is the Broncos' second-leading rusher with 517 yards.

There have been several good running quarterbacks: Micheal Vick, Randall Cunningham, Steve Young and Fran Tarkenton. However, only Young has a Super Bowl ring.

Passing the football is not yet a strength, but Tebow's determination and his will to win are innate. No player in recent memory has created such a buzz. Brady, Manning, Vick nor anyone else has generated such a media blitz.

Tebow's persona and good nature has Wall Street executives salivating. His No. 15 jersey is a hot item. Several endorsements deals are also in the making, and his Harper-Collins autobiography, Through My Eyes, is becoming a best-seller.

What we are witnessing is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Both the NFL and sports need Tim Tebow right now. The only two other athletes that have taken sports to new heights in the last 25 years are Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

Now, another sports phenomenon is transcending.

We are seeing a true metamorphosis of a young man becoming a natural-born leader and even though his talents may not measure up to regular standards, this leader has his team believing they can do anything.

The world may not see another Hayley's Comet like this for another 30 or 40 years.