Tebow preaching on Easter? It's a flock

THE ODDEST STORY in sports this past year went from the football field to an Easter Sunday pulpit.

Tim Tebow, newly minted New York Jets backup quarterback and previously anointed savior of anything he touches, attracted 15,000 people to an outdoor church service in Georgetown, Texas.

"In Christianity, it's the Pope and Tebow right now," pastor Joe Champion said in an Associated Press report. "We didn't have enough room to handle the Pope."

Tebow is deeply religious and doesn't hide it. Quite the opposite.

His beliefs have made him both a beloved and polarizing figure since joining the NFL. People love him and people feel awkward about him because of all that love, and because he is so outspoken about his belief.

It's easy to figure out: Most people believe in a clear separation of church and state. Most also prefer a clear separation of church and sports, even if the NFL does mostly play on Sundays. When people watch the games, they are interested in the games, not a sermon. There is a time and place for both.

Like it or not, we can't imagine God (or any other diety) really caring whether Tebow's Jets win a dopey football game next season. Shouldn't there be much more on their agenda than the outcome of a single sporting event?

We sure hope so.

Tebow gave the flock what they wanted, telling them he enjoyed the attention his religion receives and that he thinks the publicity regarding his "Tebowing" prayer pose is a good thing, too, because it puts his faith and prayer in the public's eye.

"It's OK to be outspoken about your faith," Tebow said.

Tebow also talked about how athletes should be role models and was critical of those athletes who don't believe it. "Yes you are. You're just not a good one," he said.

Most everyone thinks Tim Tebow is a good person. He seems genuine and true to himself. Love him or not, give him that.