The youngest of five children, Tebow was born in Makati City in the Philippines, to American parents who were serving as Christian Baptist missionaries at the time.

Tebow was homeschooled by his mother, who worked to instill the family's Christian beliefs. When the family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, Tebow was allowed to play football for Nease High School, under a law that specifies homeschooled students may participate on the team of the local school in the school district in which they live.

As one of the most highly recruited quarterback prospects in the nation, Tebow received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida from2006 to 2009.

Tebow was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 2007.

In 2010, a new rule for the next NCAA football season, dubbed "The Tebow Rule" by media, banned messages on eye paint. Tebow frequently wore references to biblical verses on his eye black, which resulted in huge Google searches during or shortly after the game.

Tebow was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2010, and on July 29, signed a five-year contract with the Broncos that had a base value of $11.25 million. In2011, he became the team's starting quarterback.

With his unorthodox skillset, frequent expressions of religion, and ability to help his team win, Tebow has attracted unprecedented praise, criticism, andattention from the sports media and beyond.