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Of Tim, Roman and Michael

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By STEVE OTTO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 2, 2009

Tim Tebow and Roman Polanski - I'm guessing you won't catch them having lunch together.

In fact, although both have had their names splattered all over the news this week, I would be surprised if either has heard of the other. Tebow had not been born when Polanski left these shores to escape prison.

Tebow, of course, is the treasure of Gator Nation. The University of Florida quarterback apparently is not only sometimes called the greatest player in the history of the game but is on a fast track for sainthood in his personal life.

All of that was put on hold Saturday when he was hit by a University of Kentucky player while dropping back looking for a receiver.

For several minutes, Tebow lay flat on the not-blue grass of the Kentucky field while Gator fans across the country held their collective breath.

After being checked over by doctors in Kentucky and later by apparently the entire medical community in Gainesville, it was determined Tebow had a concussion.

He continues to undergo tests, and even Gators coach Urban Meyer went through some of the same tests just to share the experience with his team's leader.

That was only the beginning of the frenzy. Now, Tebow's injury is getting more attention in the news than the swine flu, health care reform and the insurance crisis combined.

For the next week or so, the media is going to assist in feeding the frenzy over whether Tebow will or even should play in UF's next game, against

Louisiana State.

Roman's holiday

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, filmmaker Roman Polanski traveled from France into Switzerland to accept an award. Instead, Swiss authorities arrested him, threatening to extradite him to the United States, where, more than 30 years ago, he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, a 13-year-old girl. (He was 44 years old at the time.) Polanski has lived in France for three decades, avoiding travel to countries that might send him to the United States.

The reaction back here was predictable. The Hollywood establishment came out in force to sign a petition demanding they let Polanski go. Apparently, the fact that he won an Academy Award and is a "genius" was more than enough to overlook a despicable 32-year-old crime.

Vick's rub

Finally, toward the end of the week came the announcement that Michael Vick, freshly out of prison and into a Philadelphia Eagles uniform, has signed an endorsement deal with Nike.

My first thought was that Nike might have worked out a deal to put their swoosh trademark on the nation's prison uniforms.

What strikes me in all of this has little to do with Tebow, Polanski or Vick.

It's the rest of us and the excess of celebrity worship in this country. Good, bad or just sleazy, it doesn't seem to matter. In this society you always will have a following.

Maybe what we need is a monarchy to grovel over. Of course, I suppose that then Nike would manage to get the royal robes contract.

Keyword: Otto Graphs, for more of Steve Otto's musings.

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