Why People Hate (and Love) Tim Tebow

In 2007, Tim Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy as College Football's best player. Is there anyone out there that still believes that Tim Tebow is human? It seems as though Tebow is the topic of discussion for all things College Football. In his three years at the University of Florida, Tebow has been a member of two national championship teams, became the third Florida quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy and has a 22-5 record as the Florida signal caller.

The media seems to be in love with Tim Tebow. On ESPN, Tebow has been called perhaps the greatest college football player ever. No matter what network Florida plays on any given Saturday, the announcers tend to slobber over this guy. In a Florida victory over arch-rival Florida State, CBS play-by-play announcer Verne Lundquist said of Tebow, "He's the kind of guy you would want your daughter to marry". Tebow's double-clutch jump-pass against LSU in 2006 is Fox Sports Net's ad for the SEC coming to its network. I can't count how many times I have watched Tebow's mission trip to his native Philippines shown on ESPN. During a Florida basketball game against Kentucky two years ago, ESPN used Tebow for a spoof of College Gameday. Tebow walked into a locker room and hyped up ESPN basketball analysts, Hubert Davis, Rece Davis, Digger Phelps and Jay Bilas as a promo for the show. During last season's BCS Championship Game, Fox's Thom Brennaman said, "If you're fortunate enough to spend five or twenty minutes around Tim Tebow, you're better for it". If you think the media is in love with the Gator quarterback, just visit Gainesville.

There is no place on Earth where Tebow is more worshipped than Gainesville, FL or the heart of the "Gator Nation". If Tebow were to defecate at midfield in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, I'm not sure Florida would not be rewarded a point. While attending a game in "The Swamp" in 2006, the fans booed then starting quarterback Chris Leak. Leak at the time, was leading the Gators' charge to a national title (which they eventually won) and praising the freshman Tebow. Following Florida's lone loss last season to Ole Miss, Tebow made a post-game promise. During the press conference, a teary-eyed Tebow said, "''To the fans and everybody in Gator Nation, I'm sorry. I'm extremely sorry. We were hoping for an undefeated season. That was my goal, something Florida has never done here. ''I promise you one thing. A lot of good will come out of this. You will never see any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of the season. You will never see someone push the rest of the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of the season. ''You will never see a team play harder than we will the rest of the season. ''God bless." ". Tebow made good on his promise as the Gators won the next nine games and the national title. Following the championship game, Tebow's speech was immortalized on a bronze plaque outside the stadium on the campus of the University of Florida. Two hours north in Tallahassee, legendary coach Bobby Bowden has a statue outside of Doak Campbell Stadium. It took Bowden 28 years at the school before he was bronzed outside the facility, Tebow has been immortalized prior to his eligibility being up. Many fraternities as well as other University of Florida students have sold Superman t-shirts with a T rather a S. It won't be long before Gator fans are wearing W.W.T.D. bracelets.

Tim Tebow is perhaps the best player in all of College Football. He's an excellent leader. He's tough. He's a great teammate. He's a proven winner. He is a devout Christian and lives what he believes. He's a good role model for just about anyone. But here is the thing...

...I hate him. To the deepest depths of my soul, I hate Tim Tebow. The only reason: he wears orange and blue. Oh, and he's really, really good.

However I'm not alone in my hatred of Tim Tebow. Tebow is hated in several cities in several states. We all know he's hated in Tallahassee, but Athens, Knoxville, Baton Rogue and Norman just to name a few. I stood in the rain last November and joined 80,000 in the chanting of "Teabag Tebow" while waving a teabag. Prior to Florida's 2007 meeting with LSU, Louisiana State students were able to obtain Tebow's cell phone number. Throughout the week leading up to the game, Tebow received many harassing calls. After scoring a second quarter touchdown in Tiger Stadium, Tebow yelled to the LSU student section, "Call me". The guy seems unflappable.

The dislike for Tebow is not limited to opposing fans and student sections however. After Tebow was awarded the 2007 Heisman Trophy, then Hawaii coach June Jones called Tebow a "System quarterback" after Tebow beat out Jones' quarterback Colt Brennan. Jones left Hawaii for SMU following the 2007 season. Hawaii was set to open at Florida in 2008. Just this month, Florida State's Bobby Bowden made a comparison to a former Heisman winner. Bowden claimed that Tebow was not a good as former Seminole Charlie Ward. Ward led Florida State to the 1993 National Championship in football and the Elite Eight in basketball.

Several players have called Tebow out as well. In 2007, Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes stated that "Tim Tebow is going down" prior to the annual rivalry game in Gainesville. Tebow accounted for five touchdowns in 45-12 Gator victory. Prior to last season's meeting in Gainesville, LSU defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois told the press, "If we get a good shot on [Tebow], we're going to try our best to take him out of the game," On Florida's first play from scrimmage, Tebow hit receiver Percy Harvin for an 80 yard Gator touchdown. Florida never looked back winning 51-21. Prior to last season's BCS National Championship, the two quarterbacks and past two Heisman Trophy winners were highlighted. Tebow was the 2007 winner and Oklahoma's Sam Bradford was the current winner. It allowed for an intriguing match-up. Oklahoma cornerback Dominique Franks once again took a shot at the Florida signal caller. Franks claimed that Tebow would be the fourth best quarterback in the Big XII. In a tied game in the fourth quarter of the BCS title game, Tebow flourished while Bradford floundered and the Gators were national champions for the second time in three years. Here's a note to all student athletes: STOP TICKING THIS GUY OFF! Whenever Tebow has been challenged, he's responded.

The good news (or bad news depending on who you are) is we only have one year left of the world's love affair with Tim Tebow. One day Tim Tebow will be a part of college football lore and one can watch College Football Live or College Gameday Final without absorbing the 30 minute tribute to Tim Tebow. That is of course unless you are or know a Gator fan. Oh well, at least he can't be president.