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Tebow just might be in a league of his own

The Associated Press

Tim Tebow did plenty more to celebrate his legacy Saturday as the Gators dismantled Georgia in Jacksonville.

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 1, 2009

JACKSONVILLE - Some of the people who make their living covering the sports we watch have been accused of infecting the public with a phenomenon known as Tebow Fatigue. Victims have a tendency to burst blood vessels, particularly in the neck, at the mere mention of a certain quarterback from the University of Florida.

It is said to be caused by almost four years of saturation coverage and unrelentingly positive stories about one Tim Tebow. I guess people can only take so much good news, although residents of Gator Nation can't seem to get enough of him.

Depends on your point of view, I guess.

So before proceeding with a discussion of Saturday's 41-17 routine-by-now beating of the Georgia Bulldogs, we issue this public service announcement for those who missed their Tebow inoculations.

Here it comes again.

Many of the paragraphs that follow will include upbeat references to Tebow's exploits during the warm afternoon along the banks of the St. Johns River because once again the man straight from central casting was central to the Gators' success and the Dawgs' demise.

We'll have to talk about how he accounted for four touchdowns - two by air, two by land. We'll have to mention his game-leading 85 yards rushing, plus the fact he was 15 of 21 passing. That includes a couple of drops, by the way, at least one of which might have been another touchdown.

As if he wasn't burrowed into Florida lore deeply enough already, Tebow surpassed Herschel Walker's Southeastern Conference record for rushing touchdowns when he burst up the middle for a 23-yard score with 1:32 left in the first half.

That would have been indignity enough for the Dawgs, who lost for the 17th time in their last 20 meetings with Florida. But to have it happen in this game - where Herschel once had his way with the Gators - was either a) perfect or b) simply too much.

"Every once in a while I stop and say, 'Wow. This is one of the greatest players to ever play this game. Wow.' Then you hear him break the record he broke today, and I mean, what are we talking about here?" Gators offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said.

We're certainly not talking about anyone who gives much thought to such things. After he scored, Tebow had to be reminded that he had broken Herschel's record.

"That's the beauty of it," Addazio said. "That's why you want to be happy for guys like that."

Georgia is happy, too - happy to be done with Tebow. He accounted for 12 touchdowns in his four games against the Bulldogs, three of which were Florida victories.

It's sort of the way Gators fans felt when they heard Herschel was turning pro.

"Who would you rather have as your quarterback?" asked receiver Riley Cooper, who caught both of Tebow's touchdown passes.

As has become the custom in this game, Georgia busted out a gimmick. The Dawgs wore black helmets for the first time in school history. Tebow thought something looked strange when they came out for the kickoff, but then said, "It was like, who cares?"

You've got to come with more than different color paint on a helmet, even if this season hasn't exactly been a walk on water for Tebow. He had a concussion at Kentucky. The Florida offense was widely criticized after failing to score 50 points last week at Mississippi State. And although the Gators remain No. 1 and now have 18 wins in a row, you can hear the whispers - just wait 'til they play Alabama for the SEC title.

Some people just can't wait for Tebow to get what's coming to him for being, well, darned near perfect. But at least as many people know that this swashbuckler under center will go down as one of the greats who ever played college football. Not just because he broke a record, either.

You can make a legitimate argument that he actually hasn't broken Herschel's mark. For reasons passing understanding, the five touchdowns Herschel scored in bowl games don't count toward his total of 49. Thanks to a rules change in 2002, Tebow's three bowl TDs do count; he now has 51.

Split hairs if you want. I choose not to. Herschel Walker was as good as anyone who ever played college football. Tim Tebow is, too.

"Just to be mentioned in the same breath as Herschel Walker is extremely humbling," Tebow said. "It's Herschel Walker! How am I going to be in the same league as Herschel Walker?"

Well, he already is. Some would even argue Tebow is in a league of his own. Even if you're one of those who have had all the talk you can stand about Tebow have to concede that much. For those people, I leave you with a special thought: He only has four regular-season games left, another SEC title game and then the bowl game.

It'll all be over soon. Just a few more stories to read or watch.

Stay strong.

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