This is where life imitates … what, exactly? What began two years ago with a quirky jump-pass has evolved into this extraordinarily surreal life: communicating with heads of state, preaching to prisoners and, yes, circumcising children in a Third World country.
Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in December, the first sophomore to do so. In the six months since, Florida's iconic 20-year-old quarterback has traveled more than 15,000 miles to be honored by 15 organizations in nine states. A devout Christian, he has spread the gospel all over the country in various speaking engagements -- and as a missionary in the Philippines and Croatia.
In July, he'll travel to Thailand on a mission of hope. Meanwhile, he finished this term with a 3.68 grade-point average. Played a little football, too.
"God gave me this gift for a reason,"
Tebow says. "There's a sense of purpose in everything I do. It's not me in control; he is. There's a great amount of comfort knowing that."
A peek into Tebow's overloaded offseason:
Dec. 9, 2007: The day after Tebow wins the Heisman, President Bush sends him a handwritten letter congratulating him on his season and his spiritual convictions. Tebow responds with a handwritten letter.
Jan. 2008: Still don't believe in the power of Tebow? Representatives from both political parties court him to campaign with them during Florida's presidential primaries. Tebow doesn't choose sides but hasn't ruled it out altogether.
Nor has he ruled out -- deep breath, everyone -- a political career after his playing days.
"I didn't feel it was right to publicly show support right now,"
Tebow says. "I am conservative. I am interested in politics, I pay attention. But there's too much on my plate right now. That may be something that comes in the future."
March 8-16: Tebow was born in the Philippines. His parents, Bob and Pam, are missionaries there through the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association, and Tim returns each year.
This time, in an impoverished village outside General Santos City, he was asked by doctors to help perform minor surgeries -- including circumcisions and the removal of cysts -- because of the lack of medical personnel in the village.
And, yes, there was actual cutting involved.
"You don't have time to be nervous,"
Tebow says. "Those kids need you."
April 12: Spring practice ends, and the university honors Tebow with a sign on the facade of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium signifying his Heisman. Tebow plays in front of 61,000 fans at the spring game, and the offense -- with freshman Chris Rainey asserting himself at running back -- looks better than ever.
April 19: On his first free Saturday since December, Tebow visits two Florida prisons and preaches the gospel. The sports information department at Florida says it has received more than 1,000 speaking requests.
June 3: Tebow speaks to a reporter for this article, eats a meatball sub. "Things are finally starting to slow down a bit,"
Tebow says. "I haven't had a meatball sub in a long time, and it tastes good."
