Adams: Tebow mania is for real

Tebow

Tebow

HOOVER, Ala. - College football's most prominent conference was overshadowed by one of its own Wednesday. The SEC media days turned into Tim Tebow day.

You only had to step inside the Wynfrey Hotel lobby to realize it. That's where a Nick Saban-size crowd began building late morning.

The line of orange-and-blue clad fans proved you don't need a $4 million-a-year Alabama football coach to draw a crowd in Alabama. All you need is a Heisman Trophy winner with a charismatic personality and a Christian message.

By the time Tebow and the Florida contingent arrived early in the afternoon, the hotel entrance from the revolving door to the escalators was lined with 50-or-so Florida fans, some of whom were too young to grasp the significance of the occasion.

A little girl dressed in a Florida cheerleader uniform screamed in terror as her father held her above his head in hopes of providing a better view.

Another fan, 6-year-old Emma King, would have appreciated the higher vantage point. She has experienced the disadvantage of being a small Tebow fan.

"She almost high-fived Tebow when he came off the field at Ole Miss last year," said Emma's mother, Michele, a former Floridian who lives in Birmingham. "Her arm just wasn't quite long enough."

The Tebow-adoring crowd came up short Wednesday, too. Security guards ushered Tebow to the nearby elevators, rather than through the gauntlet of fans leading to the escalators.

But the fans didn't seem to mind. They didn't have to touch Tebow. They just wanted to see him.

Cody Lee, a 9-year-old from Pell City, Ala., called it "a dream come true" to see Tebow.

"He's a good Christian and a good quarterback," said Cody, who doesn't hesitate wearing his No. 15 Florida jersey in Alabama country.

"They think it stinks," Cody said. "But I don't care. I just ignore them."

One floor up, Tebow's influence was just as obvious. Nissan, a prominent SEC sponsor, placed a Heisman Trophy replica outside the interview rooms.

At least one media-type apparently took the Heisman stand-in for the real thing.

"Do you bring the Heisman Trophy with you wherever you go?" Tebow was asked.

"Everywhere," he said, kidding. "No."

"What went into bringing it here and how did that happen?" the reporter pressed onward.

"Here?" Tebow said. "I think ours is still in my house in Jacksonville. I don't think they moved it."

That was the only question that caught Tebow off guard. Not even Tennessee's Peyton Manning could work a big room with more ease than Tebow does after two years of college.

Tebow, who is the son of Christian missionaries, has spoken to church groups throughout Florida and outside the country as well. His missionary trips between spring and summer school sessions took him to Croatia, Thailand and the Philippines this year. He also has delivered his Christian message to prisoners and youth groups.

Zack Higbee, an assistant director in the Florida Sports Information Office, knows how demanding Tebow's schedule can be. He was assigned to the Tebow beat more than a year ago.

The job then consisted mainly of responding to requests for Tebow to speak at church groups within the state.

"When he got back from New York (for the Heisman presentation), the requests multiplied," Higbee said. "Before then, he was appreciated throughout the state and in the Southeast. Now, it's across the country."

And beyond.

Tebow was even asked to speak at a graduation ceremony in Thailand. Why not? He was in the neighborhood on a missionary trip.

When Tebow wasn't making missionary trips this off-season, he was collecting awards from coast-to-coast. Since his sensational sophomore season, he seemingly has won a prestigious national award every month.

Higbee, who accompanies Tebow on every awarding trip, admits to being travel weary. In fact, Tebow's itinerary sometimes even wears on Tebow.

"Some days, you don't feel like doing everything," he said. "You just want to be a college student and relax or something.

"But I want to do these things because they're more important than playing football for me. If I can change a kid's life for the better, that's much more important to me than beating Georgia or Florida State or whatever team it is."

Downstairs in the lobby, a football fan and mother could appreciate Tebow's talent and perspective.

"Emma has his poster on the wall," Michele King said. "I'm just so glad she picked him for a role model."

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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