NFL Denver Bronco fans circulate petition for Tim Tebow to lead team

by Christine Thomasos, |
Tim Tebow arrives at the 48th Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, November 5, 2014. | REUTERS/ERIC HENDERSON

DENVER (Christian Post) — Tim Tebow fans are calling on the Denver Broncos to include the Christian Heisman trophy winning quarterback on its 2016-'17 roster.

Even though Tebow hasn't played a regular season NFL game since 2012, some fans believe the Christian athlete has what it takes to lead the winning franchise in its next season.

"The Denver Broncos have lost their two main quarterbacks from their epic 2016 Super Bowl Championship winning season. We need a proven winner to continue to move this team in the right direction," a change.org petition states. "Coach Gary Kubiak's offense would thrive with Tebow under center. He and the legendary John Elway can make this happen."

The petition, addressed to Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, the team's general manager and media relations personnel, was created by Colorado native Will Garner. When Garner found out his petition was well on its way to receiving 10,000 signatures he posted a special message.

"Almost 10,000 supporters! The power of social media is pretty crazy," Garner wrote on Sunday. "Paxton Lynch may or may not be a great QB for the Broncos. However, we do know Tebow wins, period! He needs to be somewhere for sure, preferably with the Broncos, we just need to keep this up to show the faith people have in him as a starter!"

Tebow was once a starting quarterback who led the Broncos to a playoff run in 2012. Later that year, he signed to the New York Jets before getting picked up by the New England Patriots in 2013, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015.

The Christian athlete has proven his ability as a leader on the field as the University of Florida Gators starting quarterback who helped the team secure a national championship in 2008. He was also on the team when it won a championship in 2006 and was the first college sophomore to win a Heisman Trophy in 2007 which honors the best football player of a season.

While Tebow currently serves as an SEC college football analyst, he also spends time doing philanthropy work being a motivational speaker. Although he has struggled to find his place in the NFL, he previously spoke about being defined by more than just football.

As a speaker at the Montgomery, Alabama, benefit called "The Journey Continues ..." earlier this year, Tebow invited three "wish girls" battling cancer to join him. Instead of focusing on his celebrity, the athlete-turned-college football analyst spoke about how "messed up" it was that people were not honoring those trying to overcome cancer.

"All these men and women that are celebrities, they're awesome, they're good friends of mine. They do a lot," Tebow said. "And everyone was idolizing these men and women, and nobody was paying attention to these three girls. I think all of them would agree, these three girls have more character, heart and determination to fight through what they had fought through than any one of those celebrities."