Why Tim Tebow is My New Favourite Sportsperson

It may be the fact that he is a born again Christian and loves to show that he is.

It may be the fact that the so-called experts led by Merrill Hoge don't think he's got the skill set to play quarterback in the NFL.

It may be the fact that despite being so poor for 3 quarters of the game, he can produce the one drive, the one pass to win a game that his team never looked like winning.

Most New Zealanders and everyone else in the world who don't follow American sport wouldn't have heard of Tim Tebow, the most polarizing sports personality in America right now.

But once you watch him, you'll not only know who he is but actually fall in love with him.

Which is what happened on Friday afternoon. I knew the New York Jets v Denver Broncos game was showing on ESPN and that it would be my one chance to find out what the big deal is with Tebow Time.

My first glimpse of Tebow came in the 3rd quarter with the game tied 10-all. As expected, he was decidedly average with a drive that was as predictable as Lindsay Lohan's latest flirtation with jail.

Later, in the 4th quarter, with the Broncos 13-10 down, Tebow led his offense on a 95-yard drive that culminated in one of the most exciting and thrilling moments in sport you'll ever witness - and one reason why we watch sport.

Tebow picked up the ball from the scrum, watched his linesmen and wide receivers hold off the Jets on one side of the field, and scampered down the other side towards the end zone. It seemed for all money that Tebow was settling for a 1st and goal.

No.

He stepped past the Jets' last secondary and scored the winning touchdown for the Broncos.

A touchdown that would live long in memory of those who watched it.

A touchdown that has miraculously put the Broncos back in the hunt for the playoffs.

A touchdown that was miraculous in the making.

Those who criticize it say it was just an easy 20 yard run. Well no it wasn't. The Jets after all have been stopping runs like this all season - they have probably the meanest defense this side of the Ravens and Steelers. They've got Darrell Revis, one of the game's best defensive players.

Yet, Tebow took them on with his brain and brilliant running game - and a damn good screen - and won..



He may not have the skill set to be an elite NFL quarterback - yet - but he definitely has the intelligence to make the most of his "limitations" and make his strengths tell. He is a bit like the Wallabies - a team that never had the firepower in the forwards but used their intelligence to beat the All Blacks and Springboks.

Plus he's always had the talent. You don't become a Heismann Trophy and college football legend with the Florida Gators as well as win a national championship without some form of talent. He's got spades of them.

And he's a good lad too. He may have been a proven winner in the past but he's still as humble as can be. It may be his missionary routes. It's surely the Lord Jesus Christ.

But hey that's why I love Tim Tebow. And even if the winning stops some time in the near near future, at least it's been one heck of a ride.