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[XiaNaphryz]

http://frontrow.espn.go.com/2012/01...ebow-is-americas-favorite-active-pro-athlete/

In the 18 years of the ESPN Sports Poll — the standard for sports intelligence in the industry — there have been just 11 different athletes crowned as America’s favorite active pro athlete (by month).

The list includes Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and LeBron James.

With December 2011′s poll results comes a new name: Tim Tebow.

Tebow was recognized by 3 percent of Americans surveyed as their favorite active pro athlete, placing him above Kobe Bryant (2 percent), Aaron Rodgers (1.9 percent), Peyton Manning (1.8 percent) and Tom Brady (1.5 percent) in the Top 5.

It is by far the fastest and earliest any athlete has assumed the top position since the inception of the poll in 1994.

“To put this in perspective, Tim Tebow rose to the top before the end of his second pro season. It took Tiger Woods three years, LeBron James eight years and Kobe Bryant 11 years,” said Rich Luker, founder and director of the ESPN Sports Poll. “I think we may be at the front end of a new era in sports stars.”

The only other athletes to hold the top spot for at least a month since 2007 are Brett Favre, Manning, Woods, Bryant and James.

“This is an exciting finding and one that reflects the sentiment of all sports fans, not just the online or social media world,” said Artie Burglin, Senior VP for Research and Analytics, ESPN Sales and Marketing.

“For 18 years, ESPN Sports Poll has been the only on-going and nationally representative study about sports interest in America. And this past year we greatly improved the rigor and quality of our survey to include cell phone only and Spanish speaking respondents – to truly represent the opinions and attitudes of all American sports fans.”

The ESPN Sports Poll for December 2011 included 1,502 interviews from a nationally representative sample of Americans 12 and older.

Further illustration of the “Tebow Effect” comes from ESPN’s First Take, where Monday’s episode was the most-watched in the program’s history (an average of 587,000 homes, records since 2006). In fact, it was the fourth time this NFL season the show’s viewership record was broken — all coming after Tebow’s first 2011 start as Denver Broncos quarterback on Oct. 23.

“[Tebow] makes the needle move,” said Pardon the Interruption’s Tony Kornheiser. “He’s the guy that everyone is curious about.”

The Tebow, it cannot be contained.

In before "lol ESPN"

 

[marrec]

Oh Jesus....

 

[Cyan]

Well duh. What percent of the country are Christians, again?

 

[sixteen-bit]

That's not surprising to me

 

[B.K.]

I don't even know who he is. He's some football guy, right?

 

[yankeehater]

Not only are they right, it isnt even close.

 

[Dennis]

They are quick to cash in.....

 

[Keylime]

There is zero percent chance that more people know who Tim Tebow is over Tiger Woods.

Shit's a setup.

Edit: Oh...favorite active...well fine then.

 

[scorcho]

I don't even know who he is. He's some football guy, right?

 

[Mammoth Jones]

"He is who he claims to be! A child of God. It’s amazing how the world can’t grasp that relationship. But then again maybe not. The world is still looking for the answer. Well…Tim’s got the answer and he isn’t ashamed to show it. His Faith & Belief in God has taken him to heights unknown to most. What an inspiration, what a role model, especially in times like these. He’s one of a kind. Time will tell how and only God knows where this all takes him. As for me…I’m just along for the ride! Thank you Tim Tebow for giving us all something to look up to and forward to. You Rock! Keep the Faith!!"

 

[Cyan]

Wouldn't surprise me, though, if he's also among the country's least popular athletes.

 

[sfedai0]

I can't wait to see when Tebow's star comes crashing down. It will happen.

 

[Concept17]

Explains why I'm already sick of hearing his name and seeing his face. Especially the one ESPN shows over and over with his john 316 eye things.

 

[Narag]

There is zero percent chance that more people know who Tim Tebow is over Tiger Woods.

Shit's a setup.

Is Tiger still everyone's favorite athlete after all the fallout?

 

[Mr. B Natural]

I can't wait to see when Tebow's star comes crashing down. It will happen.

He'll rise again

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEBOOOOOOWWWWW

 

[ItWasMeantToBe19]

How is Kobe second?

 

[sk3]

He's the only guy on the list that isn't a cheating scumbag or egotistical asshole. His play doesn't deserve it but how well a player performs and how well they are liked doesn't always go hand in hand.

I'm ok with this.

Edit: Aaron Rodgers is pretty cool too.

 

[Concept17]

He'll rise again

lol

 

[Wthermans]

Still waiting on the inevitable rape/affair scandal.

 

[alr1ght]

And I bet not even half of them have seen him play.

He's the only guy on the list that isn't a cheating scumbag or egotistical asshole. His play doesn't deserve it but how well a player performs and how well they are liked doesn't always go hand in hand.

I'm ok with this.

lol. Peyton Manning sure is a huge asshole amirite?

 

[thefro]

How is Kobe second?

Los Angeles media market.

 

[Greg]

TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEBOOOOOOWWWWW

.

 

[Invisible_Insane]

I want him to be on the cover of the next Madden.

Tebow Versus the Curse: Where is your God Now?

 

[AZ Greg]

Glad to see that Rodgers is the most popular QB on the list.

 

[Keylime]

Is Tiger still everyone's favorite athlete after all the fallout?

Misread the poll. I thought it was most well known for some reason.

Glad to see that Rodgers is the most popular QB on the list.

SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEIT

 

[LQX]

Ridiculous and even more-so many acting as if sports was godless before Tebow. I pray for all our sake New England fucks them over proper to end this foolishness.

If he wins the Superbowl, I will not only be believer (of him) but also believer that this year is the end of the world.

 

[GeoramA]

ESPN has built him up so high, the inevitable downfall is going to be delicious.

 

[Cyan]

Glad to see that Rodgers is the most popular QB on the list.

:jnc

 

[Narag]

Glad to see that Rodgers is the most popular QB on the list.

Amazing.

 

[kottila]

He'll rise again

and be gone for good within a week?

 

[Harry Potter]

More like Teblow, amirite?

 

[jmdajr]

People that don't even understand football love him. They just like that's he's a hardcore Christian..and that he wins. Witnessing MIRACLES.

 

[Dragon]

Glad to see that Rodgers is the most popular QB on the list.

And we're done here.

 

[Gaborn]

I know some people love him and I know some people hate him, but I really just don't care either way. The Broncos have had some nice wins and some ugly losses but that's true of every team. He seems most notable (aside from his awesome career at Florida) for basically winning when analysts said he couldn't. So? Analysts were wrong about Ryan Leaf in the other direction and they'll be wrong in the future. People elevate athletes too quickly, and just as quickly attack someone that becomes popular.

 

[C.Dark.DN]

I be he'll win the Super Bowl. lol.

 

[ascii42]

His play doesn't deserve it but how well a player performs and how well they are liked doesn't always go hand in hand.

Tebow's play did deserve it while he was in college. There's still lot of residual love from when he played for Florida.

 

[Cyan]

I know some people love him and I know some people hate him, but I really just don't care either way. The Broncos have had some nice wins and some ugly losses but that's true of every team. He seems most notable (aside from his awesome career at Florida) for JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS JESUS.

Sorry, could you repeat that?

 

[Dragon]

I know some people love him and I know some people hate him, but I really just don't care either way. The Broncos have had some nice wins and some ugly losses but that's true of every team. He seems most notable (aside from his awesome career at Florida) for basically winning when analysts said he couldn't. So? Analysts were wrong about Ryan Leaf in the other direction and they'll be wrong in the future. People elevate athletes too quickly, and just as quickly people are too quick to attack someone that becomes popular.

Winning isn't solely based on the quarterback. The Denver defense went from allowing 30 points per game to allowing 20 when they started winning. They scored the same amount of points.

Tebow won the playoff game against Pittsburgh. In almost all the other games this year it's been other facets of the Broncos team that have been the major factor.

 

[Dennis]

I be he'll win the Super Bowl. lol.

Oh, how I wish he does.

 

[TrAcEr_x90]

Cant wait for the leaked text messeges of kinky ass shit he does with groupies!! Forgive me, for I have sinned, hahaha

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

 

[Gaborn]

Sorry, could you repeat that?

*shrug* Don't care about his religiosity either way. I'm not a Broncos fan but all I care about a QB is what he does on the field (well, unless they do something truly horrible, still am not giving a pass to Vick for his actions). Tebow has been inconsistent at best.

Dragon - I agree with that completely too.

 

[jmdajr]

Cant wait for the leaked text messeges of kinky ass shit he does with groupies!! Forgive me, for I have sinned, hahaha

I won't judge.

 

[ZeroGravity]

Can't wait for his 15 minutes to be up.

 

[SUPREME1]

1. Tebow
2. Kobe





I can roll with that.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Can't wait for his 15 minutes to be up.

His 15 minutes have been going since he was in high school, keep waiting buddy.

 

[Sky Chief]

I'm not a Christian and I think Tebow is the shit. I really don't understand all the hate he gets.

 

[levious]

Winning isn't solely based on the quarterback. The Denver defense went from allowing 30 points per game to allowing 20 when they started winning. They scored the same amount of points.

Tebow won the playoff game against Pittsburgh. In almost all the other games this year it's been other facets of the Broncos team that have been the major factor.

yeah but their turnovers went down and their time of possession went up.

 

[Cheeto]

Winning isn't solely based on the quarterback. The Denver defense went from allowing 30 points per game to allowing 20 when they started winning. They scored the same amount of points.

Tebow won the playoff game against Pittsburgh. In almost all the other games this year it's been other facets of the Broncos team that have been the major factor.

Yeah, and what does he say in the interviews... something like "My team makes me look better than I am... they deserve the credit". I don't understand the hate for this guy...