Tim Tebow and his faith

The quarterback for the Denver Broncos has become a polarizing figure in football, in part because of his outward displays of Christian faith.

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April 8, 2012

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow speaks during Celebration Church's Easter service in Georgetown, Texas. During a Q and A in front of 15,000 gathered worshippers, Tebow suggested that America needs to get back to "what this country was based on: one nation under God. The more that we can get back to that."

William Philpott / AP

March 26, 2012

Tim Tebow holds his first news conference with the New York Jets in Florham Park, N.J. Of his trade to the Jets, Tebow said, "This is a blessing for me and it's going to be a great opportunity."

Mark Lennihan / AP

Jan 14, 2012

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow prays with New England Patriots and Broncos team members following an NFL divisional playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 45-10.

Charles Krupa / AP

In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2012, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl wears a Denver Broncos jersey and kneels like Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow to honor a friendly wager with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 on Sunday in an NFL wild card playoff game.

JC Schisler / AP

Jan 8, 2011

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow prays after the Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime in the NFL AFC wildcard playoff football game in Denver, Colorado.

MARC PISCOTTY / REUTERS

Jan 8, 2011

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow greets fans after the Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in overtime of an NFL football wild card playoff game.

Joe Amon / AP

Jan 1, 2012

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) prays while sitting on the bench late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jack Dempsey / AP

Dec 18, 2011

Quarterback Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos breaks a tackle against outside linebacker Rob Ninkovich of the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

Doug Pensinger / GETTY IMAGES

Dec 7, 2011

United States' Lindsey Vonn kneels down in front of the podium after winning the women's World Cup super-G ski competition in Beaver Creek, Colo. Vonn was "Tebowing", mimicing Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow's kneeling prayer.

Alessandro Trovati / AP

Dec 11, 2011

Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee (23) prays in the end zone before the start of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Denver.

Julie Jacobson / AP

A Retalo, a traditional devotional painting with an image of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. Colorado artist Catherine Robles Shaw of Nederland, Colo., has created a new "saint" on her latest retablo. Shaw recently created the $195 Tebow retablo using an image of the Broncos quarterback kneeing down in his well-known "Tebowing" prayer pose.

Catherine Robles Shaw / AP

Dec. 11, 2011

Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver.

Jack Dempsey / AP

Dec. 11, 2011

Fans of Tim Tebow hold up signs during the game against the Bears.

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

Dec. 11, 2011

Tebow dives during a play against Chicago.

Jack Dempsey / AP

Dec. 11, 2011

Tim Tebow throws a pass against the Bears during the fourth quarter.

John Leyba / AP

Dec. 11, 2011

Tim Tebow reacts after teammate Matt Prater kicked a 51-yard field goal to win the game in overtime against the Chicago Bears. The Broncos won 13-10.

Jack Dempsey / AP

Dec. 11, 2011

Tebow (15) shakes hands with fans following the team's 13-10 overtime win over the Bears in Denver.

Joe Amon / AP

Dec. 11, 2011

A Tim Tebow fan shows their sign during the game against Chicago.

Jack Dempsey / AP

April 23, 2011

Quarterback Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos’ first-round draft pick, responds to questions during a National Football League news conference at the Broncos’ headquarters in Englewood, Colo.

Ed Andrieski / AP

Aug. 10, 2010

Tebow leaves the practice field following training camp at Broncos’ headquarters in Englewood, Colo. The rookies received new haircuts from veteran players.

Jack Dempsey / AP

Aug. 29, 2010

Broncos fans hold up a Tim Tebow sign during a preseason game against Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver.

Jack Dempsey / AP

Nov. 17, 2011

Tebow is mobbed by his teammates after scoring the winning touchdown against New York Jets in Denver.

Garrett Ellwood / Getty

Oct. 30, 2011

Denver Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow “Tebows,” or kneels to pray, before the Denver Broncos took to the field to face the Detroit Lions at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver.

Doug Pensinger / Getty

Nov. 6, 2011

An Oakland Raiders fan stands next to a sign meant for Tebow before an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. Tebow has earned many fans because of his devout faith. However, others have criticized him, saying he has taken his outward displays of his love for God too far.

Ben Margot / AP

Nov. 17, 2011

Tebow points to God after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets in an NFL football game in Denver. Denver won 17-13 in the final minutes of the game.

Barry Gutierrez / AP

April 22, 2010

Tebow, center, celebrates with his brother, Robby Tebow, and mother Pam Tebow after an after-draft news conference at the Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club in Jacksonville, Fla.

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP

Nov. 6, 2011

Tebow runs against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif.

Ben Margot / AP

Oct. 30, 2011

Detroit Lions’ linebacker Stephen Tulloch, front left, mimics Denver Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow after sacking him during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Denver. Critics, like former NFL star Kurt Warner, say Tebow should tone down the religious rhetoric. “I'd tell him, 'Put down the boldness in regards to the words, and keep living the way you're living. Let your teammates do the talking for you. Let them cheer on your testimony.' “

Aaron Ontiveroz / AP

Nov. 27, 2011

A Tebow fan cheers during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in San Diego.

Lenny Ignelzi / AP

Oct. 9, 2011

Tebow winds up to throw a pass against the San Diego Chargers in Denver.

Jack Dempsey / AP

Sept. 12, 2010

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) prays with teammates and members of the Jaguars after an NFL game in Jacksonville, Fla.

Stephen Morton / AP

Sept. 25, 2011

Tebow signs autographs after an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. The Titans won 17-14.

Frederick Breedon / AP

Feb. 4, 2010

Former Florida Gators quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, center, listens during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

April 20, 2010

Tebow speaks during an event to promote the upcoming NFL football draft in New York.

Frank Franklin II / AP

Oct. 31, 2009

Tebow, then quarterback for the Florida Gators, looks over the defense of the Georgia Bulldogs at Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

Kevin C. Cox / Getty

Jan 8, 2009

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is interviewed after the BCS Championship NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Miami.

Lynne Sladky / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dec. 7, 2010

Tebow speaks with the media as he enters the Atlantic Dance Hall for the Home Depot ESPN College Football Awards in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Tebow received two awards.

Preston Mack / AP

Dec. 8, 2007

Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow holds up the Heisman Trophy after winning the award in New York.

Kelly Kline / AP

In this image courtesy of Focus on the Family, Tim Tebow hugs his mom Pam Tebow in an advertisement that aired during the Super Bowl between the Colts and Saints. The commercial, that contained an anti-abortion message, was the first such advocacy ad to appear on television's most-watched broadcast.

/ AP

Sept. 20, 2008

Tebow, right, gets tangled up with head coach Urban Meyer's head set during a timeout in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. Florida won 30-6.

Mark Humphrey / AP

Jan. 1, 2010

Tebow stands on the sidelines during the Sugar Bowl football game at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Tebow often puts chapter and verses from the Bible on his eye black.

Dave Martin / AP

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