I am fascinated with Tim Tebow.

There is something unique about him that sets him apart from most—if not all—other Christian athletes. Before we get into what distinguishes him from others, here is what I know is true:

As the Social Media Director for Athletes in Action, one of my main goals is to drive people to the athletesinaction.org website. I know that anytime we attach a picture of Tebow to one of our written pieces of content, it will drive 2-3 times more traffic to the site than other pictures.

I know that despite the high traffic, more people will “like” this piece on Facebook than those that actually read it. Our content strategy team calls this the “Tebow effect.” There is something about him that causes us to react positively, even if we don’t click the actual link.

I know before this piece even gets published that it will be one of our most read pieces. Not because I am a great writer, but because you, and almost everyone else is fascinated by this man and cannot seem to get enough of him.

I know that ESPN knows the “Tebow effect” too. There is a reason he is still making ESPN headlines as someone trying to play baseball for the New York Mets. ESPN knows that you—and I—will always read and stay engaged with the latest news surrounding him.

Why? Why are we so fascinated with this man?

We love it when our Christian heroes check at least one of these five boxes:

1. They are talented
2. They view their sport as a platform to talk about Jesus
3. They respond to criticism by taking the high road
4. They make the news for something other than sports
5. They make great role models

We are fascinated by Christian athletes who are talented

Kurt Warner. Reggie White. Kevin Durant. Steph Curry. Russell Wilson. Allyson Felix. Maya Moore. And yes, Tim Tebow. One can easily understand why we are quick to elevate athletes who love—or at least outwardly proclaim to love—God. It is fun to see people who believe what we believe succeed.

It is fun to watch someone who I have no relationship with, but who believes in the same God I do, play with a level of excellence that is rare. The thing that is most important to both of our lives somehow connects us. In an odd sense, we are on the same team.

When I cheer a talented Christian athlete on, I am really saying “I am cheering for them because I believe the same thing that they do!”

We are fascinated by Christian athletes who view their sport as a platform to talk about Jesus

Anytime sports and platform are brought up, the image I get in my mind is Tebow playing in the National Championship game for the Florida Gators in 2009. The eye-black under his eyes read “John 3:16.” Google reported the next day that the verse had been Googled more than 90 million times.

We love that kind of stuff—and rightfully so.

Confession time. I cringe a little bit when athletes flippantly give God credit after a victory or athletic achievement. In those moments I want more from them. As a fan and fellow believer, I know I am not entitled to that, but I want more than a one sentence acknowledgement.

Tim Tebow always gives more.

In fact, when was the last time you heard an interview with him where he did not spend the majority of the time talking about his faith? There may not be a better example of his insistence to talk about his faith than in this interview after a victory against the New York Jets.

Tebow uses almost every question to put the focus back on God. While most Christian athlete’s lines sound forced, he has a pastoral way of communicating what is most important to him.

We are fascinated by Christian athletes who respond to criticism by taking the high road

Christian athletes will always have critics, especially those who are outspoken about their faith. Although it is not commendable, it is understandable that Christian athletes sometimes snap back in the heat of the moment. Everyone has a breaking point when criticism piles on.

Tebow seems to be immune to it—at least outwardly.

One of my favorite Tebow clips of all time is an exchange he had with former ESPN First Take panelist, Skip Bayless. Bayless brought up former Bronco’s quarterback Jake Plummer’s comments when he said:

“I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ then I think I’ll like him a little better. I don’t hate him because of that, I just would rather not have to hear that every time he takes a good snap or makes a good handoff.”

Tebow’s response?

“If you’re married, and you have a wife, and you really love your wife, is it good enough to only say to your wife, ‘I love her,’ the day you get married? Or should you tell her every single day when you wake up and have the opportunity? And that’s how I feel about my relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the most important thing in my life, so every opportunity I have to tell him I love him, or I’m given an opportunity to shout him out on national TV, I’m going to take that opportunity.”

That is not only taking the high road, that is giving a convincing argument for why he does what he does, in a way that does not attack or demean the person criticizing him.

1 Peter 3:15 says: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

Tebow always seems to be prepared to give the right answer—with gentleness and respect.

As Ed Uszynski pointed out in another recent piece on Tim Tebow: “Tebow has become a master of preaching without sounding self-righteous, teaching while still sounding like a learner, competing for the athlete’s crown while always making clear that he’s bowing to a completely different King.”

We are fascinated by Christian athletes who make the news for something other than sports

We love it when Christian athletes get good press for something other than sports. It is not rare for a light to be shined on a Christian athlete’s work and purpose outside of their sport.

It does seem rare, however, when a Christian athlete can fill an entire resume with “good works” outside of their sport.

Mission trip to the Philippines? Check.
Aiding and praying for a man who had an in flight medical emergency? Check.
Praying for a fan who apparently had a seizure? Check.
Plan 375 proms for people with special needs? Check.

The list goes on and on and on. Critics would say it is for show. Check out any of those stories and hear his tone. Hear his heart for the hurting, the oppressed.

We are fascinated by Christian athletes who are great role models.

We recently posted Tebow’s press conference response to a reporter who asked how he juggles his career and charity work. The post has (predictably) generated a lot of social media engagement. Here are a few noteworthy comments:

“This young man is a great role model to our kids and to ourselves. I love it.”
“Too bad more of our sports figures are not like him.”
“You are a great role model for children everywhere”
“Tim is one of a kind.”

Again, as someone who handles the social media channels for AIA, I quickly found out that most Christian athletes we talk about and platform have a flaw—as fans are quick to point out to us.

He used bad language the last game. I saw it on the super-slow replay. He spoke poorly about the President. He yelled at the ref. Yelled at the coach. Did not shake hands after the game. Lashed out on social media.

Everyone has flaws—except Tebow.

Now, I know this is not true. I know he is not perfect. But when was the last time you read, witnessed, or watched something that revealed a flaw in Tebow’s character? Can you even name one instance where this man was not above reproach?

Tebow seems to personify everything we think a Christian athlete should be. He is not only a role model, he has become the standard by which other role models will be measured against.

We are drawn to Christian athletes who are great in at least one of the above areas. Tebow separates himself from the pack by being exceptional in all of them.

And that, indeed, is fascinating.