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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 14, 2008

Tim Tebow has always considered himself blessed, so he might want to offer extra thanks this morning. He had a good night Saturday.

He didn't win the Heisman Trophy.

Voters decided Oklahoma's Sam Bradford was more worthy. For that matter, they decided Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was better, too. Tebow finished third overall but had more first-place votes than the other two.

How does that happen? Good question. Bradford had 811 votes for either first, second, or third place, while Tebow had 750. That means a lot of people didn't believe Tebow was one of the three best players in college football this season.

I'm pretty sure no further commentary is required on that point.

Maybe it takes more than lifting a team on your shoulders and leading it to the national title game to really impress people, or maybe divine providence intervened to spare Tebow from a fate no one in the history of college football has faced. Nor should anyone ever have to.

Had Tebow won, and if he decides to return to the University of Florida next season instead of turning pro, can you imagine the size of that circus? The words would have rolled off every tongue, been typed on every laptop - the first three-time Heisman winner. Lordy.

Winning it twice in a row would have been as suffocating as it was wonderful, especially with the BCS Championship Game to prepare for.

There would have been appearances stacked on appearances, trips and dinners, but that's Bradford's headache now. If you don't think it's a problem, just ask Ohio State's Troy Smith or Chris Weinke from Florida State what the month between the Heisman and title game was like. Then ask them how the title game went.

I thought the voters got it right last year in giving Tebow the award, and I think they got it right this time, too. That's not the same as saying I'd choose Bradford over Tebow if I was starting a team, although Bradford is sensational.

Does More Things

Tebow, I think, does more things on the football field than Bradford and does it in a tougher league. He does things I've never seen on a football field. I'm not sure anyone has.

Bobby Bowden said Tebow reminded him of Bronko Nagurski.

"I've never seen a better leader," Bowden said.

Tebow was a much better quarterback this year than last, and he was Best of Show then. He had 55 touchdowns in 2007, including 23 rushing. That's something out of a video game.

The Heisman is frequently decided by a calculator, though, and Tebow's 40 touchdowns this year - including 12 on the ground - don't add up to the 48 TD throws by Bradford.

Strangely enough - or maybe not so strange - the Gators are a lights-out better team this time around.

People didn't come around to Tebow until late, either. He wasn't even mentioned on most of that inane early-season Heisman chatter. By the time people figured out the kind of season Tebow was actually having on the field (as opposed to the stat sheet), Bradford had built up a lead in the court of public opinion.

Man Law: There shall be no mention of the Heisman Trophy before Nov. 15.

Violation is punishable by a head-butt from Jim Leavitt.

Grand Finale

Tebow and Bradford will now settle this thing where it really should be settled when they meet Jan. 8 for the BCS championship.

For now, we'll leave open the question whether Bradford pumped up his numbers against phantom defenses in the Big 12, while Tebow was playing each week against the manly men from the SEC (except, cough, for Tennessee, Arkansas, and well, LSU wasn't very good, and ...).

The Heisman outcome will add some drama to a game that won't need any. Come out on either side of the debate you choose - Tebow, Bradford, either way you won't be wrong.

But if you're a Gator, part of you should be glad the way this thing turned out. Tebow doesn't need any more affirmation of the kind of football player he is, and he certainly didn't need another trophy with an outstretched arm to weigh him down. He has more important things to focus on.

Two-time Heisman winner would have sounded nice.

Quarterback of the national champions sounds nicer.

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