O: The Oprah Magazine, sometimes simply abbreviated to O, is a monthly magazine founded by Oprah Winfrey and Hearst Corporation.

Overview[link]

It was first published on April 19, 2000. As of June 2004^[update], its average paid circulation was over 2.7 million copies, two thirds by subscription. A South African edition was first published in April 2002; according to the South African Advertising Research Foundation, its average readership was over 300,000. The editor of the South African edition is Samantha Page.^[2] While most US magazine sales declined in 2009, O Magazine increased its newsstand sales by 5.8 percent to 662,304 copies during the second of half of the year.^[3] The magazine's newsstand sales fell 15.8% during the first half of 2010,^[4] while its subscription circulation increased,^[5] and sales fell 8.2% in the latter half of the year.^[6]

Since its inception, Oprah has appeared alone on the cover of each issue. The first shared cover is her April 2009 issue in which she appears with the First Lady Michelle Obama.^[7] The second shared cover is with fellow daytime host Ellen DeGeneres on the December 2009 issue. Four separate covers were shot for this special holiday issue.^[8] The December issue of O hit newsstands on November 12, 2009.^[9]

iPad App[link]

On November 17, 2010, The Oprah Magazine’s Publisher Hearst Magazines unveiled the December issue of The Oprah Magazine on the iPad, The app includes videos of Oprah, an extensive "Holiday Gift Guide", and an entry for the "12-Day Holiday Give-O-Way" sweepstakes.^[10]

Staff[link]

In July 2009, Susan Casey became the editor-in-chief of the magazine. Before joining, she was the development editor of Time Inc.. Casey was editor-in-chief of Sports Illustrated Women, editor-at-large for Time Inc., and creative director of Outside.

Casey wrote The New York Times bestseller The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America’s Great White Sharks, and The Wave.

In September 2009, the magazine hired former Publishers Weekly editor–in–chief Sara Nelson as books editor at O.^[11][12][13]

Public perception[link]

This section requires expansion.

In a March 2001 an article entitled O Positive, Noreen O'Leary argued that Winfrey was well on her way to influencing the content of women's magazines beyond her own, just as she has helped reshape daytime TV and the world of book publishing.^[14]

Brockmeyer lawsuit[link]

In April 2001, Oprah Winfrey and the Hearst Corporation were sued for trademark infringement by Ronald Brockmeyer, the publisher of «O» Magazine, a German erotic periodical which predated Winfrey's magazine by several years. In a March 2003 decision, Judge John Koeltl dismissed the suit, citing the different content of the two magazines and the irregular publication schedule and minimal American sales of the German magazine.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official magazine websites: Oprah Winfrey and Hearst
• Magazine summary, including ABC Circulation information and mission statement
• Oprah gives 'O' magazine staffers $10K each to celebrate 10th anniversary

Jordin Sparks
Sparks in the American Idol Experience motorcade at Walt Disney World in 2009.
Background information
Birth name	Jordin Brianna Sparks
Born	(1989-12-22) December 22, 1989 (age 22) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Origin	Glendale, Arizona
Genres	R&B, pop, pop rock, dance-pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, actress
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Jive/19 (2007-2011) RCA/19 (2011-Present)
Website	jordinsparks.com

Jordin Brianna Sparks (born December 22, 1989)^[1] is an American pop / R&B recording artist, songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. She hails from Glendale, Arizona. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history and remains the last female to win American Idol. She followed her American Idol victory with the release of her self-titled debut album in 2007, which has gone platinum in the U.S. and has sold over 2 million copies worldwide.^[2] Sparks' single, "No Air" is the highest-selling single by any American Idol contestant, selling over 3 million digital copies in the U.S. and Canada.^[3] Due to the success of her debut album and its four top 20 singles, she has received numerous awards and nominations including an American Music Award in 2008 and her first Grammy nomination in 2009. In 2009, Billboard magazine's 91st-best-selling music artist of the 2000–2009 decade.^[4]

Sparks made guest appearances on several television series in the following years, beginning with The Suite Life On Deck. Sparks' second album Battlefield was released in July 2009 worldwide and debuted at number seven in the U.S., three spots higher than her first album. The album's lead single, also titled "Battlefield", peaked in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her third top 10 single and fifth consecutive top 20 single. Sparks is the only Idol contestant to have their first five singles reach the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Battlefield" has sold almost 2 million copies worldwide. Battlefield's second single, "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)", was her first song to top the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play making it her first U.S. number one single.^[5] Sparks followed her success in 2010 by making her debut on Broadway. Sparks starred as Nina Rosario in the Tony Award winning broadway musical, In The Heights. She will make her film debut in the remake of Sparkle, co-starring Grammy Award/Emmy Award-winner Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter. According to Billboard.com, Sparks has sold 1,300,000 albums and 9,883,000 tracks in the United States as of February 2012, making her one of the most successful idol winners.^[6] In 2012, VH1 included Sparks in its list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music and ranked her at #92.^[7] People named her one of 2012 Most Beautiful at Every Age.^[8]

Biography[link]

Early life and career beginnings[link]

Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Jodi Weidmann Sparks and former professional football player Phillippi Sparks. Sparks has a younger brother, Phillippi "PJ" Sparks, Jr., who plays football for the Fighting Sioux at the University of North Dakota. She grew up in the suburbs of Ridgewood, New Jersey, while her father played as a defensive back for the New York Giants. After living in New Jersey, Sparks attended Northwest Community Christian School in Phoenix through the eighth grade. Sparks attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School until 2006, when she was homeschooled to better concentrate on her singing.^[9] Sparks is an evangelical Christian and attends Calvary Community Church in Phoenix. On her American Idol biography, she thanks her parents and God for her win.^[10] She won an award for best young artist of the year in Arizona for three years.

Before appearing on American Idol, Sparks participated in and won such talent competitions as Coca-Cola's Rising Star, the Gospel Music Association Academy's Overall Spotlight Award, America's Most Talented Kids, Colgate Country Showdown, and the 2006 Drug Free AZ Superstar Search. Prior to Idol, Sparks frequently performed the national anthem at various local sporting events, notably for the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Sparks also appeared with Alice Cooper in his 2004 Christmas show and toured with Christian contemporary singer Michael W. Smith in 2006. In 2006, Sparks was one of six winners of the Phoenix Torrid search for the "Next Plus Size Model". She was flown to California, where she was used in a number of Torrid ads and promotional pieces.^[11] A full-page ad for Torrid featuring Sparks ran in the December 2006 issue of Seventeen magazine.

On June 16, 2011, Sparks had her first-ever bikini shoot for the cover of People's Most Amazing Bodies issue. When speaking about her weight loss and diet to Access Hollywood, Sparks said, "My diet has pretty much remained the same, like if I want a piece of bread, I’m gonna have a piece of bread, but I’m making healthier decisions like instead of a bag of chips for a snack, I’ll see if I can find an apple. I’ve also upped my intake of vegetables and I’m drinking a lot more water."^[12][13][14]

[edit] 2006: American Idol

Sparks performing at the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007.

In the summer of 2006, Sparks auditioned twice for the sixth season of American Idol: once in Los Angeles but failed to make it past the first round,^[15] and again in Seattle after winning Arizona Idol, a talent competition conducted by Phoenix Fox station KSAZ-TV. The Seattle audition is the one seen in the January 17, 2007, broadcast of American Idol, in which she earned a "gold ticket" and the right to appear in the Hollywood Round. American Idol judge Randy Jackson made the offhand prediction that, "Curly hair will win this year."^[16] While on the show, Sparks gained a loyal fan base known as "Sparkplugs". On May 23, 2007, Sparks was crowned the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. She remains the youngest winner in American Idol history. Cowell said, "Jordin was the most improved over the whole season – didn't start the best, but midway through this was the girl who suddenly got momentum." He included that "Young girl, likeable, and the singer won over the entertainer [Lewis]."^[17] Four selected songs Sparks had performed on American Idol, including the season's coronation song, "This Is My Now", were made available on her self-titled EP, released on May 22, 2007, the day before the grand finale.^[18] The coronation song, "This Is My Now" peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Sparks' first top fifteen hit on the chart.^[19] The following summer, Sparks took part in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 from July 6 to September 23, 2007, along with other contestants in the top ten.

Since her win in 2007, Sparks has returned to Idol five times. She performed twice on the seventh season of American Idol, once on the Idol Gives Back results show singing "No Air" with Chris Brown and again with "One Step at a Time" on May 21, 2008, for the finale. She performed "Battlefield" on the May 13, 2009, episode of American Idol. The following year, Sparks took part in a tribute to Simon Cowell with other former contestants at the Season 9 finale on May 26, 2010. Most recently, during Season 10, Sparks performed her new song "I Am Woman" on the Top 4 results show.

Performances/results

[edit] 2007–2008: Jordin Sparks

Sparks during a concert in Kansas City.

Sparks in Badgley Mischka.

After winning American Idol, Sparks signed to 19 Recordings/Jive Records, becoming the first Idol winner to join the label.^[20] On August 27, 2007, she released her debut single, "Tattoo",^[21] which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Sparks' first top ten hit on the chart.^[19] The song certified platinum in the United States^[22] and Australia.^[23] To date, "Tattoo" has sold over two million copies in the U.S.^[24]

Sparks released her self-titled debut studio album on November 20, 2007,^[25] which debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200. To date, it has sold over a million copies in the U.S^[26] and was certified platinum by the RIAA.^[22] "No Air", a duet with Chris Brown, was released as the second single from the album in February 2008. In the United States, the song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming Sparks' best-charting single to date.^[19] It was also her first song to appear on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it reached number four.^[19] To date, the song has sold over three million copies in the U.S, making Sparks the first American Idol contestant to reach the three million mark.^[3] It also became Brown's first song to hit three million. "No Air" also charted in Australia^[27] and New Zealand,^[28] where it reached number one, receiving platinum certifications in both countries.^[23][29]

On February 3, 2008, Sparks sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII.^[30] She performed in a tribute to Aretha Franklin at the NAACP Awards in February, as well. She had previously performed in a tribute to Diana Ross in December 2007.

In support of the album, Sparks opened for Alicia Keys on the North America leg of her As I Am Tour, starting on April 19, 2008.^[31] Before the tour, a career-threatening throat injury forced Sparks to cancel a few weeks of the shows. Officials revealed she was suffering an acute vocal cord hemorrhage and was ordered strict vocal rest until the condition improved.^[32] Sparks was back on the road by April 30, 2008 and remained on the tour until June 18, 2008. Sparks later joined Keys for the tour leg in Australia and New Zealand in December 2008.^[33][34]

The album's third single, "One Step at a Time", was released in June 2008. It peaked at number seventeen on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Sparks her fourth top twenty hit on the chart.^[19] This makes Sparks the only American Idol contestant to have her first four singles reach the top twenty of the Hot 100. It also charted in the top twenty in Australia,^[27] Canada,^[19] and the United Kingdom.^[35] In New Zealand, the song reached number two^[28] and was certified gold by the RIANZ.^[29] In August 2008, Sparks co-headlined the Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour with Jesse McCartney in the United States.^[36]

Sparks received two MTV Video Music Award nominations for Best Female Video for "No Air" and Best New Artist at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.^[37] While at the awards show, Sparks caused controversy by responding to a joke made by host Russell Brand during his opening monologue, in which he held up a silver ring, claiming to have relieved one of the Jonas Brothers of their virginity,^[38] saying he would "take them more seriously if they wore it (the ring) around their genitals". Sparks who also wears a promise ring, began her introduction of T.I. and Rihanna by saying "It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut." In response to the controversy over her "slut" remark, Sparks told Entertainment Weekly that she doesn't regret the remark, commenting that "I wish I would've worded it differently – that somebody who doesn't wear a promise ring isn't necessarily a slut – but I can't take it back now."^[39] At the 2008 American Music Awards, Sparks won the award for Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary Category.^[40]

[edit] 2009–2010: Battlefield

Sparks performing "Faith" at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009.

Sparks during Battlefield Tour.

On January 20, 2009, Sparks performed "Faith" at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball, hosted by President Barack Obama.^[41] Her second studio album, Battlefield was released in the United States on July 21, 2009.^[42] The album's title track was released as the lead single on May 25, 2009, and reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100.^[19] The song peaked in the top five in Australia,^[27] Canada,^[19] and New Zealand.^[28] In the United States, Battlefield debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, peaking higher than her debut album's position of number ten. However, the album was notably unsuccessful compared to her debut, only selling 177,000 copies in the U.S^[26] and having failed to earn any chart certificates.

In support of the album, Sparks opened for The Jonas Brothers on the North America leg of the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009, starting on June 20, 2009.^[43] She also opened for Britney Spears on the second leg of her Circus Tour in North America, beginning on August 24, 2009.^[44] Sparks served as a replacement for Ciara.

"S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)", was released as the second single from Battlefield on September 15, 2009.^[45] The song topped the U.S Hot Dance Club Songs chart, becoming Sparks' first number one on the chart^[19] and peaked in the top fifteen in the United Kingdom.^[35] During this time, she recorded the duet, "Art of Love", with Australian artist Guy Sebastian for his fifth studio album, Like It Like That. The song reached the top ten in Australia^[27] and New Zealand^[28] and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association.^[46] The third single from Battlefield, "Don't Let It Go to Your Head", was released in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2010.^[47] The song reached a peak of number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart despite no physical release.^{[citation needed]}

In May 2010, Sparks embarked on her first headlining tour in the United States, the Battlefield Tour.^[48] It began on May 1, 2010, and ended on July 18, 2010, stopping in over 35 major cities in the United States. In support of the DVD/Blu-ray re-release of the Disney animated film, Beauty and the Beast, Sparks recorded a cover of the film's title track for the soundtrack.^[49] A music video for the song was released on October 18, 2010.^[50]

2010–present: Third studio album & film debut[link]

In a October 2010 interview, Sparks revealed she had begun working on her third studio album.^[51] During an interview with Good Day New York in November 2010, Sparks confirmed she would be recording the album in New York and Arizona.^[52] In January 2011, it was reported that Sparks and John Legend were working on songs together in the studio.^[53] In March 2011, Sparks recorded a music video for a song called "The World I Knew" for the film, African Cats, which was released on April 22, 2011.^[54] To support her new single, Sparks served as an opening act for the NKOTBSB summer tour.^[55] On May 5, 2011, it was revealed that Sparks' lead single for her forthcoming album is titled "I Am Woman".^[56] On May 12, 2011, Sparks performed "I Am Woman" on the American Idol Top 4 results show.^[57] "I Am Woman" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number eighty-two with 33,000 downloads sold.^[58][59] It also debuted on the US Billboard Digital Songs at number fifty-seven.^[60] Sparks performed "I Am Woman" on Regis and Kelly on June 14.^[61][62][63] Sparks also contributed background vocals to Demi Lovato's lead single "Skyscraper" from her third studio album. Sparks stated in an August 2011 interview there is no scheduled release date yet.^[64] A song titled "You Gotta Want It" will be part of an NFL compilation album entitled Official Gameday Music of the NFL Vol. 2. According to reports, the song will be available to download on iTunes and Amazon next week on September 27. The song is co-written by Chris Weaver and Matthew J. Rogers, while being produced by Cash Money Records’ Cool & Dre.^[65] On November 14, 2011, it was announced that Sparks recorded a original song called "Angels Are Singing" as a part of ABC Family's "12 Dates of Christmas".^[66]

On September 12, 2011, it was announced that Sparks will be making her film debut playing the lead role in the music-themed pic Sparkle, a remake of the 1976 film inspired by the story of The Supremes. The remake will be set in 1968 Detroit, during the rise of Motown. The story will focus on the youngest sister, a music prodigy named Sparkle Williams (Sparks), and her struggle to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart.^[67][68]

On October 7, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding Jive Records along with Arista Records and J Records. With the shutdown, Sparks (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release her future material (including her upcoming third studio album) on the RCA Records brand.^[69][70] On February 29, 2012 Sparks' boyfriend Jason Derulo took to twitter announcing the official remix of his single "It Girl" featuring Sparks. There was a video released with the remix, which shows home videos, of Jason and Jordin together as well as pictures.^[71][72]

On May 21, 2012, "Celebrate", the last song Whitney Houston recorded with Sparks, will premiere at RyanSeacrest.com. The song will be featured on the Sparkle soundtrack.^[73] The movie, starring both Sparks and Houston, will be released on August 17 in the United States. It is scheduled for digital download on iTunes on June 5th.^[74]

Other ventures[link]

Clothing line[link]

In April 2008, it was announced that Sparks would team up with cosmetics company, Avon, to become a spokesperson for the teen-focused line Mark. In November 2008, Sparks teamed up with Wet Seal to create her own clothing line. The collection, appropriately named 'Sparks', began with an assortment of holiday dresses delivering to stores just in time for the busy Thanksgiving weekend. The line launched on November 19, 2008 and comes in sizes XS to XL. Sparks said, "I am so excited that Wet Seal and I have been able to create a line of clothing that will appeal to more girls than ever before."^[75]

Acting[link]

In 2009, she made her acting debut on Disney's The Suite Life on Deck, guest starring as herself in the "Crossing Jordin" episode. The episode aired on October 23, 2009.^[76][77] Sparks also guest starred on the hit Nickelodeon show, Big Time Rush. The episode aired on June 18, 2010.^[78] In addition, Sparks did a voice over on Team Umizoomi as the Blue Mermaid. The episode aired on May 13, 2011.^[79]

Broadway[link]

On May 3, 2010, it was announced that Sparks would join the cast of the Tony Award-winning Broadway show "In the Heights" as Nina Rosario. Sparks took part in the production from August 19 through November 14 for a consecutive 12 weeks.^[80]

Fragrance[link]

In October 2010, Sparks released her debut fragrance "Because of You...." This fragrance is currently being exclusively distributed at Dots, but by November will spread to other retail stores. The perfume is described as a "fruity floriental perfume" consisting of notes of "clementine, white imperial currant and orange blossom; a heart of nectarine, sharry baby orchid and coral charm peony; and a drydown of sheer musks, vanilla bean, Baltic amber and blond woods." Sparks wanted this product to be affordable for her fans, yet still high end. "When I was starting this project, I really wanted it to be affordable. I looked at some other celebrity fragrances, and they were like $80. Even now, I look at a fragrance that's $80, and I can't bring myself to spend that much."^[81] In March 2012, due To the success of her first fragrance, Because of You..., Sparks' released her second fragrance 'Fascinate' exclusively with Dots Fashions.^[82][83]

Philanthropy[link]

Former US President George W. Bush congratulates Sparks after she sang the U.S. National Anthem during the welcome for President Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush to the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Ghana

In 2007, Sparks was asked by a relative who works for SOS Children's Villages USA in Florida to design a denim jacket festooned with Swarovski Crystal to support orphans.^[84] In February 2008, Sparks traveled to Ghana. She was part of the delegation of former U.S. President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush to help with Malaria No More, an organization with a goal to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. Sparks joined Mrs. Bush at the Maamobi Polyclinic, where the First Lady donated a number of treated bed nets to some local female traders in order to help combat the scourge of malaria in Ghana. While there, Sparks sang "Amazing Grace" to the durbar of chiefs who had gathered at the venue to give audience to Laura Bush. Sparks said, "Traveling to Ghana with Malaria No More gives me the incredible opportunity to see for myself what a difference a simple mosquito net can make in the life of a child."^[85]

In 2008, Sparks supported Dosomething.org's Do Something 101 campaign by filming a public service announcement explaining the nationwide school supplies drive project.^[86] She further supported the campaign by helping out at the Do Something 101 School Supply Volunteer Event held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.^[87]

On May 20, 2009, Sparks became an endorser for the Got Milk? campaign, an American advertising campaign encouraging the consumption of cow's milk.^[88][89] On September 17, 2009, Sparks took part in the VH1 Divas special, a concert created to support the channel's Save The Music Foundation.^[90] The concert was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York where Sparks performed the second single from her Battlefield album, S.O.S. (Let the Music Play), as well as "A Broken Wing" with Martina McBride. In February 2010, Sparks was one of the many artists who contributed to "We Are the World 25 for Haiti", a charity single for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.^[91] Sparks teamed up with Pennyroyal Silver creator and designer, Tim Foster, to create her very own necklace design for the company's signature collection. Proceeds of the necklace funded medical units in Haiti.^[92]

On February 3, 2010, Sparks and David Archuleta performed at the "X the TXT" event, held at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. All proceeds raised by the event went to a number of charities, including the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. The following day both Sparks and Archuleta delivered teddy bears to children at the hospital.^[93] In June 2010, the "Thumbs Up to X the TXT" pledge campaign, established by "The Allstate Corporation", made its way to Sparks' Battlefield Tour, presented by Mike & Ike to encourage teens and their families not to text while driving. Fans at Sparks' concerts made a pledge not to text and drive by adding their thumbprint to a traveling banner at each of her shows. The campaign began at Sparks' Battlefield Tour on June 3, 2010 and ended on July 18, 2010.^[94] Sparks is the main spokesperson for the "I’m M.A.D., Are You?" campaign. She also supports Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which helps to raise money for children with cancer.^[95] Sparks traveled to Louisiana in June 2010 to visit the Gulf Coast oil spill with the Audubon Society to view the effects of the oil spill on the wildlife and marshes.^[96] Sparks is also is a member of the National Youth Leadership Committee for the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration, along with Nick Jonas, Genevieve Ryan, and Brodi Conover.

On July 28, 2011, Sparks performed a live surprise concert in Times Square. Sparks was named the "VH1 Save The Music Foundation Ambassador" in 2011.^[97][98] It was announced on November 9, 2011, that Sparks would be titled as a 'Vh1 Save the Music Ambassador' again for 2012. Sparks is joined by fellow American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry, Lupe Fiasco, Katy Perry and others.^[99]

Discography[link]

Tours[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

	Book: Jordin Sparks
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jordin Sparks

• Official website
• Jordin Sparks at American Idol
• Jordin Sparks at the Internet Movie Database
• Jordin Sparks in In the Heights

Tim Tebow

Tebow warming up before a game in January 2012
No. 15     New York Jets
Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1987-08-14) August 14, 1987 (age 24)
Place of birth: Makati City, Philippines
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
College: Florida
NFL Draft: 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25
Debuted in 2010 for the Denver Broncos
Career history
Denver Broncos (2010–2011) New York Jets (2012–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
2× BCS National Championship (2007, 2009) 2× SEC Championship (2006, 2008) 2× First-team All-American (2007, 2008) Second-team All-American (2009) 3× First-team All-SEC (2007, 2008, 2009) AP Player of the Year (2007) Davey O'Brien Award (2007) 2× Maxwell Award (2007, 2008) Heisman Trophy (2007) Quarterback of the Year (2007) SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2008) Manning Award (2008) William V. Campbell Trophy (2009) Other awards and honors
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2011
TD–INT 17–9 Passing yards 2,383 Passer rating 75.1 Rushing yards 887 Rushing TDs 12 Stats at NFL.com

Timothy Richard Tebow ( /ˈtiːboʊ/; born August 14, 1987) is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Florida, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and appearing on BCS National Championship-winning teams in the 2006 and 2008 seasons. After graduating, he was drafted by the Denver Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Tebow is known as a dual threat quarterback, adept at both rushing and passing the football. With his unorthodox NFL quarterback skills, frequent demonstrations of his religious devotion, and his team's success, Tebow has attracted unprecedented praise, criticism, and attention from the sporting media and beyond. Commenting on Tebow's play and the attention he has garnered, many football players and observers have said that they "have never seen anything like it."^[1][2][3][4]

Tebow played quarterback for Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and was ranked among the top quarterback prospects in the nation as a high school senior.^[5] He ultimately chose to attend the University of Florida. As a backup and situational quarterback,^[6] Tebow helped the Gators win the national championship during the 2006 college football season. Tebow was the Gators' starting quarterback during the 2007 season when he became the first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy.^[7] In 2008, Tebow led Florida to a 13-1 record and its second national championship in three years, and was named the offensive MVP of the national championship game. The Gators again went 13–1 in 2009, Tebow's senior year. At the conclusion of his college career, he held the Southeastern Conference's all-time records in both career passing efficiency and total rushing touchdowns, appearing second and tenth (respectively) in the NCAA record book in these categories.^[8]

Tebow was selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. He started the last three games of his rookie season and became the Broncos' full-time starting quarterback beginning in the 6th game of 2011. The team was 1–4 before Tebow became the starter, but immediately began winning with him on the field, often by coming from behind late in the 4th quarter, until they won their first AFC West title and first playoff game since 2005.

Tim Tebow is known for sharing his Christian faith with fans and in clinics, hospitals, market places, schools, and orphanages.^[9][10]

Early years[link]

Tebow at the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl as a high school senior.

Tebow was born in Makati City in the Philippines, to American parents who were serving as Baptist missionaries at the time. His mother, Pamela Elaine (née Pemberton), is the daughter of a U.S. Army colonel, and his father, Robert Ramsey Tebow II, is a pastor.^{[11][12][13][14][15][16]} While pregnant, his mother suffered a life-threatening infection with a pathogenic amoeba. Because of the drugs used to rouse her from a coma and to treat her dysentery, the fetus experienced a severe placental abruption. Doctors had expected a stillbirth and recommended an abortion, even though illegal in the Philippines, to protect her life,^[11] but she decided not to have one.

Tebow is the youngest of five children.^[17] All of the Tebow children were homeschooled by their mother, who worked to instill the family's Christian beliefs along the way.^[13] In 1996, legislation was passed in Florida allowing homeschooled students to compete in local high school sporting events. The law specifies that homeschooled students may participate on the team of the local school in the school district in which they live.^[18] The Tebows lived in Jacksonville, Florida, and he played linebacker and tight end at the local Trinity Christian Academy for one season. Tebow's preferred position was quarterback, but Trinity football team's offense did not rely on passing the football, so he moved into an apartment in nearby St. Johns County, making him eligible to play for the pass-oriented offense at Nease. His performance soon turned heads and led to a minor controversy regarding the fact that he was a home-schooled student having his choice of school to play for.^[19]

Tebow came into national prominence as a junior at Florida's 4A Nease High School. Tebow was soon known not only for his running and throwing, but for his intense competitiveness and uncommon physical courage. Later that same year, he suffered an injury to his right leg late in the first half of a game. Originally thought by the Nease coaching staff to be a bad cramp, he played the entire second half with a broken fibula, at one point rushing for a 29-yard touchdown. After the game the extent of the injury was discovered and he was held out for the remainder of his junior season.^[20] Nevertheless he was named Florida's Player of the Year and became a major college football quarterback prospect.^[21] During his senior season he led the Nease Panthers to a state title, earned All-State honors, was named Florida's Mr. Football and a Parade magazine high school All-American, and repeated as Florida's Player of the Year.^[21][22] Tebow played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas which featured the top 78 senior high school football players in the nation and was shown nationally on NBC television.^[23]

Tebow was considered one of the nation's top recruits and was the subject of an ESPN "Faces in Sports" documentary. The segment was titled "Tim Tebow: The Chosen One", and focused on Tim's homeschool controversy and missionary work in the Philippines, as well as his exploits on the field of play and the college recruiting process.^[24] Tim Tebow was also featured in Sports Illustrated on the "Faces in the Crowd" page.^[25] In 2007 he was named to FHSAA's All-Century Team that listed the Top 33 football players in the state of Florida's 100 year history of high school football.^[26]

Despite having family ties to the University of Florida, where his parents first met as students,^[27] Tebow considered other schools, including Alabama.^[28] One of the reasons he gave for eventually choosing Florida was coach Urban Meyer's spread option offense, an offense for which Tebow was deemed an archetypal quarterback.^[29]

Tebow spent the three summers prior to enrolling at the University of Florida in the Philippines, assisting with his father's orphanage and missionary work.^[30]

Effect on homeschooling movement[link]

On January 7, 2007, Tebow was featured prominently in an ESPN "Outside The Lines" feature on homeschooled athletes seeking equal access to high school athletics in other states. Because a homeschooler's access to public and private school athletic functions vary by state, Tebow and New York Jets defensive end Jason Taylor (who was allowed to play at his local high school in Pennsylvania) argue in favor of extending the right to play for local teams to more states.^[31]

Upon becoming the first home-schooled athlete to be nominated for the Heisman Trophy, Tebow remarked, "That's really cool. A lot of times people have this stereotype of homeschoolers as not very athletic – it's like, go win a spelling bee or something like that – it's an honor for me to be the first one to do that."^[32]

Tebow's example inspired equal access supporters in other states, including Alabama and Kentucky.^[33][34][35] Tebow received the 2008 Quaqua Protégé Award as an outstanding home-education graduate.^[36]

College career[link]

Tebow received an athletic scholarship to attend and play for the Florida Gators football team from 2006 to 2009.^[37] While he spent his freshman year as a backup, eventual career highlights at Florida include winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007, leading the team to a BCS championship in 2008, and a 13–1 2009 season. The Gators coaches selected him as a team captain in 2008 and 2009, and he is the only three-time recipient of the Gators' most valuable player award, having been chosen by his teammates in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

2006[link]

Despite a strong showing in his first intersquad scrimmage, Coach Urban Meyer named Tebow second string behind Chris Leak.^[38] Although Tebow remained the backup throughout the season, Tebow was a significant contributor to the Gators' 2006 success.

Tebow made his college debut coming off the bench in a goal line situation against Southern Miss. He rushed for a touchdown on a designed quarterback scramble on his first play.^[39] In his next game, he led the team in rushing yards against UCF.^[40]

Tebow made his SEC debut against the Tennessee Volunteers on September 16. His performance included a ten-yard run on his first carry and converting a critical fourth down near the end of the game, which led to the Gators' go-ahead touchdown.^[41] Tebow's biggest game in the season came against the LSU Tigers on October 7, where he accounted for all three of the Gators' touchdowns, passing for two and rushing for another.^[42] Tebow played a role in the Gators' victory in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game against Ohio State. He threw for one touchdown and rushed for another, finishing with 39 rushing yards.^[43] He finished 2006 with the second-most rushing yards on the Gator team.^[44]

2007[link]

Tebow (on right) and other Gator QBs during pre-game warm-ups.

Although questions about his passing skill loomed, Tebow was named the Florida Gators starting quarterback for the 2007 season.^[45] He opened the year 13-of-17 for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in his starting debut against Western Kentucky University.^[46] Tebow finished the regular season with the second highest passing efficiency in the nation with 177.8. Additionally, he averaged 4.3 yards per carry on the ground.^[47]

Tebow set numerous personal, school and national records in the 2007 season, including:

• University of Florida single-game quarterback rushing yards, 166, week 4^[48]
• SEC season rushing touchdown record, 20^[49]
• Career high single game rushing touchdowns, 5, Nov. 10
• SEC season total touchdowns (passing and rushing), 55^[50]

On November 24, against the Florida State Seminoles, Tebow threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two in a 45–12 rout of the Seminoles. It was later revealed that Tebow fractured his right hand during the third quarter but played the rest of the game. He had to wear a cast for the next three weeks.^[51]

After the 2007 season was over, Tebow was recognized as a first-team All-SEC selection and a consensus first-team All-American,^[52] and won the Heisman Trophy, given to the most outstanding college football player of the year. He also received the Davey O'Brien Award, annually given to the best quarterback in the nation, on February 18 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Heisman Trophy[link]

Tebow in 2007

On December 8, 2007, Tebow was awarded the Heisman Trophy, finishing ahead of Arkansas's Darren McFadden, Hawaii's Colt Brennan, and Missouri's Chase Daniel. He was the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy.^[20] He garnered 462 first-place votes and 1,957 points, 254 points ahead of the runner-up, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden.^[53][54] He finished the regular season as the only player in FBS history to rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in both categories in the same season.^[55] He had 32 passing touchdowns, and 23 rushing touchdowns. Tebow's rushing TD total in the 2007 season is the most recorded for any position in SEC history.^[56] The total also set the record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in FBS history. Tebow became the third UF player to win the Heisman Trophy, joining Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel.^[57]

2008[link]

Before the 2007 season had even come to a close, Florida coach Urban Meyer stated that he would likely use two quarterbacks during the 2008 season to take some of the workload off of Tebow's shoulders.^[58] Tebow led the Gators in rushing in 2007^[59] but also had to play through a bruised shoulder and broken non-throwing hand.^[58]

Before the 2008 season even started, Tebow had his name pulled from consideration for the Playboy Preseason All-American team because it conflicted with his Christian beliefs.^[60]

On November 1, 2008, playing against the Georgia Bulldogs, Tebow ran for his 37th rushing touchdown, breaking the school record previously held by former Florida running back Emmitt Smith.

Tebow led the Gators to a 12–1 record in 2008. After clinching the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title, the team played for and won the SEC title in the 2008 SEC Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The win secured the #2 ranking in the final BCS standings, which earned the Gators the chance to play the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game, which they won 24–14.

Tebow finished third in the 2008 Heisman Trophy voting, with Oklahoma's Sam Bradford taking the top spot followed by Texas' Colt McCoy, despite Tebow receiving the most first-place votes.^[61][62] Tebow also won the Maxwell Award in 2008, becoming only the second player to win the award twice.^[63]

On January 11, 2009, at a national championship celebration held at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Tebow announced that he would not make himself eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft, but would instead return for his senior season at Florida.^[64] One day later, he had surgery on his right shoulder to remove a bone spur in an effort to reduce chronic inflammation.^[65]

2009[link]

Tebow opened the 2009 season continuing a streak of throwing and running for a touchdown in blowout wins over Charleston Southern and Troy. He ran for a touchdown in the third game, a win against Tennessee, but failed to throw for a touchdown for the first time since his freshman season.

In answer to an interview question, Tebow stated that he was a virgin.^[67] The statement was subject to much discussion about whether the question was necessary, including criticism of the reporter who originally asked.^[68]

Tebow started against Kentucky despite suffering from a respiratory illness and taking two bags of intravenous fluids before the game.^[69] He ran for two touchdowns to put him in 2nd place on the all-time SEC touchdown list and he also threw for a touchdown. Late in the third quarter, he was hit in the chest by Kentucky defensive end Taylor Wyndham, fell backwards, and hit the back of his head on the knee of Florida tackle Marcus Gilbert, who was wearing a hard knee brace. Upon impact, Tebow briefly displayed a prominent fencing response with his left arm, indicating that a concussion had taken place.^[70] He lay motionless for several minutes before being helped to the sidelines. Once there, he vomited. He was taken by ambulance to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center.^[71][72] A CT scan showed no bleeding in the brain, with the injury described as a mild concussion.^[73][74] Coach Urban Meyer stayed the night in the hospital with Tebow, who was discharged in the morning.^[75] Coincidentally, Florida did not have a game scheduled for the following Saturday, and Tebow was cleared to play in the Gators' next contest at LSU on Oct. 10, two weeks after the incident^[76]

On October 31, 2009, while playing against the Georgia Bulldogs, Tebow ran for his 50th and 51st rushing touchdowns, breaking the SEC career record previously held by former Georgia running back Herschel Walker.^[77] His penultimate collegiate game, the 2009 SEC Championship, saw him once again facing the University of Alabama. Tebow threw for 245 yards and a touchdown and led the team with 63 yards rushing, but the Gators fell 32-13 and lost their chance to play for a second consecutive national title.^[78] Florida beat Cincinnati 51-24 in the 2010 Sugar Bowl the following January. In what was Tebow's last college game, he completed 31 of 35 passes for 482 yards and 3 touchdowns and accounted for 4 total touchdowns and 533 yards of total offense, which set a record for a Bowl Championship Series game.^[79]

Tebow graduated from the University of Florida in December 2009, with a bachelor's degree in family, youth and community sciences.^[80]

College statistics and records[link]

At the end of his college career, Tebow held 5 NCAA, 14 Southeastern Conference, and 28 University of Florida statistical records.^[81] He was the SEC's all-time leader in career passing efficiency (170.8), completion percentage (67.1%), passing touchdown to interception ratio (5.5 to 1), rushing yards by a quarterback (2947), rushing touchdowns (any position) (57), and total touchdowns responsible for (145).^[8][82] Among many mentions in the NCAA Division-I record book, Tebow is ranked second in career passing efficiency, third in career yards per attempt (9.33), 8th in career rushing touchdowns, and also owns the record for most consecutive games in which he both threw at least one touchdown pass and scored at least one rushing touchdown (14).^[83]

^[84][84]

"The Tebow Rule"[link]

In 2010 a new rule for the next NCAA football season banned messages on eye paint. This rule was dubbed "The Tebow Rule"^[85][86][87] by media because it would have affected him.^[87] During his college football career, Tebow frequently wore references to biblical verses on his eye black. In the 2009 BCS Championship Game, he wore John 3:16 on his eye black; the verse was the highest-ranked Google search term over the next 24 hours, generating over 90 million searches.^{[88][89][90][91][92]} Additionally, later, when Tebow switched to another verse, there were 3.43 million searches of "Tim Tebow" and "Proverbs 3:5-6" together.^[93] Tebow stated of the searches "It just goes to show you the influence and the platform that you have as a student-athlete and as a quarterback at Florida".^[93]

The NFL already has a rule like this in prohibiting players from wearing messages on eye black; so, Tebow would not be able to continue the practice in the NFL.^[87] Despite the media labeling it as the Tebow rule, the NCAA denies the rule was influenced by Tebow particularly, since many other notable players (Reggie Bush and Terrelle Pryor for example) wear or have worn messages on eye black.^[94][95] An NCAA spokesman said "When this rule was proposed the committee did not focus on any one team or student athlete. That measure reinforces what the intended use of eye black is, which is to shade the eyes from the sun."^[95]

Professional career[link]

Pre-draft[link]

After passing on the 2009 NFL Draft for his senior season at Florida, Tebow went on to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. Despite his college success, Tebow's NFL potential was much debated. According to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, he could "revolutionize" the pro game. Says Gruden: "Tim Tebow is 250 pounds, and he's the strongest human being that's ever played the position. He can throw well enough at any level."^[96] Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said he would pick Tebow with a top 10 pick, and would take him over any quarterback in the 2010 draft.^[97] On the other hand, NFL analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. believed Tebow did not have the intangibles to play quarterback in the NFL. "I don't think he can be a fulltime quarterback. I don't think he can be the quarterback of the future for you, but I do think in the third round, maybe the second round, he'll be the same as Pat White", said Kiper.^[98]

Tebow was particularly mentioned as a potential third round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, his hometown team. Some, including Florida governor Charlie Crist, suggested that Tebow could be the remedy for dwindling Jaguars ticket sales at EverBank Field.^[99] Early in the 2009 season, Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver stated: "He (Tebow) clearly is an outstanding football player and would be an asset to any football organization. Clearly there's going to be a groundswell for Tebow, and we'll have to make that evaluation if we have a draft pick that's going to be anywhere near him."^[100] Not everyone in the organization agreed, as Jaguar lineman Uche Nwaneri posted doubts about Tebow's potential NFL success on his team's website message board.^[101]

Denver Broncos[link]

2010[link]

Tebow during warm-ups with the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in 2010.

Tebow was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round (25th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. The Broncos had acquired the pick in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens on the first night of the draft on April 22.^[104] The Ravens received picks in the second, third and fourth rounds which were used to select Sergio Kindle, Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta respectively.^[105] Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said about his two first-round selections, which included Tebow, "We want players who are tough, smart, have great character, love football and are passionate about coming here and helping the Broncos win a championship. I think both players fit that role, and I think that's something that we're looking for in all of our players. What we're trying to build here is team chemistry and a team that cares about winning and winning a championship, and that's it." He also added specifically about Tebow, "He has all the traits you look for. It's a good pick."^[106] Tebow responded in an interview, saying, "My greatest joy in Denver is going to be to repay Coach McDaniels for believing in me." Tebow also said of his critics, "I just have a passion to play football. When you do things different than other people sometimes do them, and you don't settle for just being average, you open yourself up for criticism. But, I'm ready for it. I've learned to live with it. I never just wanted to do things the same way everybody else does."^[107]

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson said, "Josh McDaniels' legacy is Tim Tebow."^[106]

When asked how Tebow will be used, McDaniels commented that Tebow probably won't start at quarterback as a rookie; although, he said he'll "play when he's ready." He also said that there could be some packages custom-made for Tebow right away and indicated that he could initially contribute to Denver's variation of the wildcat formation, called the wild horse formation.^[106]

The Denver Post columnist Woody Paige praised the pick, saying "Tim Tremendous may be high risk, but he will be a Mile High Reward...Tebow has become the most celebrated fourth-string rookie quarterback in NFL history, the most controversial quarterback pick by the Broncos since Tommy Maddox was chosen in exactly the same spot in the first round in 1992, the most decorated player and the most determined quarterback, and the most puzzling dichotomy, in the entire draft."^[108]

Tebow wore number 15 on his jersey for the Broncos, the same number he wore in college.^[109] He set an NFL Draft record for jersey sales.^[110] He also had the best-selling jersey in the entire NFL each month since being drafted. The Broncos, as a whole, led the NFL among all teams in jersey sales as well.^[111][112]

On July 29, Tebow signed a five-year contract with the Broncos that had a base value of $11.25 million (he can make as much as $33 million through certain performance-based incentives). The contract also included $8.7 million guaranteed.^[113]

On October 17, Tebow scored his first NFL touchdown, which was a five-yard running play against the New York Jets.^[114] On November 14, Tebow threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Larsen on his first career NFL pass attempt, as part of a 49-29 home victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He also added a one-yard rushing touchdown in the game.^[115] His performance against the Chiefs earned him his first Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honor.^[116]

Tebow started his first NFL game on December 19, which was a 39-23 road loss to the Oakland Raiders.^[117] Tebow completed eight of 16 passes for 138 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown pass. He also rushed for 78 yards, 40 of which came on a touchdown run in the first quarter of the game. It was the longest touchdown run for a quarterback in Broncos history and the longest touchdown run in NFL history for a quarterback in his first start. Tebow became just the third quarterback in NFL history to throw for a touchdown of 30 or more yards and run for a touchdown of 40 or more yards in the same game.^[118] He finished the game with a 100.5 passer rating, the highest ever in team history for a professional debut.

Tebow's first career victory came in his second start on December 26. The Broncos defeated the Houston Texans, 24-23, in Denver. Tebow helped rally the Broncos from a 17-0 deficit at halftime, as he finished the game with 308 passing yards and one touchdown pass. He also added a fourth quarter rushing touchdown, which capped the comeback.^[119] Tebow received his second Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honor following his performance.^[120]

Tebow finished his rookie season playing sparingly in six games as a back-up (primarily on plays involving the wild horse formation, which is Denver's variation of the wildcat formation) before starting the last three games of the Broncos' season. He threw for a total of 654 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 227 yards and six touchdowns. Tebow became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for a touchdown in each of his first three career starts.

2011[link]

Tebow began the 2011 season as the Denver Broncos' backup quarterback, with Kyle Orton acting as the starter. After a 1–4 start and some poor performances, Orton was replaced by Tebow at halftime during a home game against the San Diego Chargers in the fifth week of the season. Tebow nearly led the Broncos back from a 16-point deficit, as he passed and ran for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Chargers ultimately won the game, 29–24. Shortly afterward, Broncos' head coach John Fox announced Tebow would start in the following game on the road against the Miami Dolphins. Tebow and the Broncos struggled in the first three-and-a-half quarters against the Dolphins, but rallied from a 15–0 deficit in the last three minutes to win the game, 18–15, in overtime. Denver became the first team in NFL history to win a game after being down by at least 15 points with three minutes to play in a game.^[121]

On November 6, Tebow rushed for 117 yards, along with passing for 124 yards and two touchdowns, as part of a 38–24 road victory over the Oakland Raiders. It was the first game in his NFL career that Tebow rushed for at least 100 yards. Broncos' running back Willis McGahee ran for 163 yards and two touchdowns, making Tebow and McGahee only the fifth quarterback and running back tandem in NFL history to run for at least 100 yards in the same game.^[122] The Broncos followed up a road win over division-rival Oakland with another road win over a division rival, the Kansas City Chiefs. Tebow completed two passes on eight attempts for 69 yards and a touchdown. His second completion, a 56-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to wide receiver Eric Decker, sealed the game for Denver. Tebow became the fifth quarterback since 1980 to win a game after being the sole quarterback on the winning team to complete two or fewer passes.^[123] Four days later, Tebow was 9-for-20 with 104 yards in a Thursday Night Football home game against the New York Jets. He led a 95-yard, game-winning touchdown drive with less than six minutes to play, and the Broncos trailing, 13–10. On third-and-four, Tebow ran for a 20-yard touchdown with less than one minute remaining. The Broncos won the game, 17–13.^[124] Tebow guided the Broncos to another comeback victory the next week—a 16–13 overtime road win over the San Diego Chargers. He ran the ball 22 times for 67 yards. His 22 rushing attempts were the most by an NFL quarterback since 1950.^[125]

In the 10th start of his NFL career, Tebow led the Broncos to their third consecutive come-from-behind win of the season after trailing going into the fourth quarter, as Denver beat the Minnesota Vikings on the road, 35–32. The following Sunday, Tebow once again guided a comeback victory, this time at home over the Chicago Bears. Denver won 13-10 in overtime after facing a 10-0 deficit with just over two minutes to play in regulation. Tebow's sixth come-from-behind fourth quarter or overtime victory in his 11 career starts was the most in NFL history for any quarterback in that time span.^[126]

Tebow and the Broncos' winning streak was broken by the New England Patriots in week 15. Tebow rushed for 2 touchdowns and accounted for almost 300 total yards against the Patriots, but Denver lost 41-23. In the Broncos' 40-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills the following week, Tebow had 1 passing and 1 rushing touchdown, but he also threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He struggled for a second straight game the following week in a 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, completing only 6 of 22 passes and finishing with a career low quarterback rating of 20.6 But with a week 17 loss by the Oakland Raiders, the Broncos won the AFC West title in a tiebreaker.^[127]

After the three consecutive losses, Broncos vice president and former quarterback John Elway said Tebow was playing tentatively and needed to "pull the trigger."^[128][129] On January 8, Denver hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the NFL playoffs. Tebow threw for a career high 316 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80 yard TD to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime, as the Broncos won 29–23.^[129] Tebow completed 10 of 21 passes in the contest, setting the franchise record for quarterback rating in a playoff game (125.6)^[129] and an NFL record for yards per completion (31.6) in a playoff game.^[130] Media sources noted Tebow's passing yards (316) and yards per completion (31.6) evoked the Bible's John 3:16. The Nielsen ratings for the game also peaked at 31.6. John 3:16 was the top search item on Google the next morning, followed by Tebow and Tim Tebow.^[131][132]

The Broncos were handed a 45–10 defeat by the New England Patriots the following week, knocking them out of the playoffs.^[133] After the season, Elway confirmed that Tebow would be the Broncos starting quarterback going into training camp in 2012.^[134]

On April 28, 2012, the NFL announced its 91st-100th ranked players of its NFL Top 100 in which Tebow was ranked 95th by his fellow peers.^[135][136]

New York Jets[link]

On March 21, 2012, in the wake of the Broncos signing free agent Peyton Manning, Tebow was traded, along with the Broncos' 2012 7th round draft pick, to the New York Jets in exchange for the Jets' 4th and 6th round picks.^[137][138]

NFL Statistics[link]

Regular season[link]

Playoffs[link]

In the media[link]

Books[link]

On May 31, 2011, HarperCollins released Through My Eyes, an autobiography that Tebow co-wrote with author Nathan Whitaker. Tebow details his early life growing up in Jacksonville and the Philippines, as well as his college football experiences.^[139] By March 04, 2012 it had spent 24 weeks on the New York Times best seller list. ^[140] It was named the #1 sports book of 2011 ^[141] and the bestselling religion book of 2011 ^[142]. Tim followed his memoir with a young readers’ edition entitled Through My Eyes: A Quarterback’s Journey, also co-written with Nathan Whitaker ^[143].

Magazines and Endorsements[link]

Tebow is a spokesperson for Nike, Jockey International and FRS Health Energy.^{[144][145][146]}

In September 2008, Tebow appeared on the cover of Men's Fitness magazine.

On April 8, 2010, Tebow was announced as the cover athlete for all three game platforms of the video game NCAA Football 11.^[147]

In 2011, Tebow was the first quarterback featured in ESPN's "Year of the Quarterback" series. The documentary, entitled "Tim Tebow: Everything in Between," followed him from the 2010 Sugar Bowl to the 2010 NFL Draft. It premiered on January 6, 2011.^[148] On November 8, 2011 the documentary was released on DVD.

On December 13, 2011, Tebow was the athlete featured on the cover of the first edition of the NFL's official magazine.^[149]

In 2011, Tebow was rendered as a superhero by Marvel Comics. His character was known as "Super Tim."^[150]

Music videos[link]

YouTube, Google Videos, Godtube, and other video-sharing websites have numerous variations of Tim Tebow college and professional football highlights in video clips of varying lengths (such as 'Tebow Magic' and 'All He Does is Win'), with various video and musical backdrops, and user views reaching into the multi-millions.^[151]

Super Bowl ad[link]

A nationwide controversy surrounded Tebow's decision to appear in an ad funded by the socially conservative organization Focus on the Family that was broadcast February 7, 2010, during Super Bowl XLIV on CBS.^[152][153] There were two 30-second commercials, which included Tebow's personal story as part of an overall pro-life stance. The abortion issue was not specifically mentioned in the ad.^[154] Pro-choice groups condemned the ad,^[155] while pro-life groups rallied around Tebow.^[156]

Tebowing[link]

Tebow kneeling in prayer.

Tebowing is a neologism for the act of kneeling on one knee in prayer with one's head resting on one's fist.^[157][158] It is derived from Tebow's propensity for kneeling and praying. The origin of the phrase is credited to fan Jared Kleinstein, who posted a picture with friends on Facebook, in which they mimicked a pose of Tebow following the Broncos' comeback overtime victory over the Dolphins on October 23, 2011.^[159] The popularity of the picture led Kleinstein to set up a website showing pictures submitted by people depicting various interpretations of Tebowing all over the world.^[159] After two and a half-months, the site received 20,000 photograph submissions from all seven continents and 20 million page views from 2 million unique visitors.^[160] The New York Times wrote "it can be hard to tell whether [people tebowing] are celebrating or mocking [Tebow] for his virtuous ways."^[158] Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl tebowed as part of a bet with the mayor of Denver following the Broncos playoff victory over the Steelers in 2012.^[161]

Tebowing was recognized as a word in the English language by the Global Language Monitor, due to its level of worldwide usage, which was comparable to the word Obamamania (referencing President Barack Obama).^[157][162] In December 2011, the life-sized wall adhesions company Fathead released a "Tebowing" sticker that became the company's best-selling product in two days.^[163]

Evangelism[link]

In the Philippines, Tim Tebow preached the Christian Gospel in front of schoolchildren and entire villages and assisted in medical care.^[164][165] Moreover, Tebow supports more than 40 national evangelists working in that nation.^[165] In the United States, he has shared his Christian faith in prisons and schools, to church and youth groups, and at meetings and conferences.^[164][9]

An Easter Sunday crowd of roughly 20,000 listened to Tebow on April 8, 2012. He only briefly mentioned his move from Denver to New York. "Kind of got traded. I'm on another team -- excited to be a Jet," Tebow said. "Regardless of what happens, I still honor my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because at the end of the day, that's what's important, win or lose. … We need to get back to one nation under God, and be role models for kids," Tebow added. ^[166][167]

Philanthropic work[link]

Tebow envisioned a foundation to give back to others during his college career, and he, along with other University of Florida students, created First and 15. Through this organization, Tebow raised funds for Uncle Dick's Orphanage in the Philippines, founded by his father’s nonprofit association, the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association.^[168] He also raised monies for Shands Hospital pediatric cancer center in Gainesville and a Disney trip for disadvantaged children. Upon graduation from University of Florida, Tebow launched the Tim Tebow Foundation in January 2010.^[169]