The Denver Broncos are 5-1 since Tim Tebow took over for Kyle Orton as the team’s starting quarterback. Can we all please take a moment to dwell on how ridiculous this should sound? (Ok that’s long enough.) On October 23rd, Tim Tebow made his first start for the Broncos. Tebow inherited from Orton a team that was 1-4, playing with no motivation; no passion. Since Tebow took over, the Broncos look like a different team, having lost only one game and not looking back. (The Broncos released Orton; they really aren’t looking back at all.)

If anyone else followed the 2010 NFL Draft, then you know that Tim Tebow was one of the most important personalities of that draft year. Tebow had an amazing career at the University of Florida, including two BCS National Championships, another BCS Bowl win in the Sugar Bowl, and a Heisman Trophy. However, many draft analysts doubted that Tebow’s style and mechanics would not transfer to the NFL. Tebow’s footwork came into question, but more than anything else, his throwing motion and release were major issues. After working with numerous trainers and really working to develop his prospects for the NFL, Tebow was selected in the first round with the 25th overall pick by Josh McDaniels and the Denver Broncos. (One of the most controversial selections of the draft.)

Since then, Tebow went 1-2 as a starter, having started the final three games of the 2010 season, and Josh McDaniels was fired following a very disappointing 2010 season for the Broncos. Enter new head coach John Fox. Fox preferred Kyle Orton as the starter, and so Tebow was named the backup. After the dismal start to the season, mounting pressure from fans, calling for the starting job to be given to Tebow led to the benching of Kyle Orton. Although the wins by the Broncos have been near inexplicable in some cases, the Broncos have been winning, and that is what matters. Why, though, are the Broncos winning? Why is such an unconventional quarterback leading the Broncos so well?

Since his days at the University of Florida, Tim Tebow has had a tremendous reputation for being an explosive duel threat quarterback, with an amazing set of intangibles that no one could quantify. Although not necessarily a physical freak, Tebow possesses something often times referred to as a “killer instinct.” In the context of football, Tebow has a great sense of leadership, a drive to motivate the players around him, and the willingness to step up as an individual for the betterment of his team in crucial situations. Does anyone remember the Tim Tebow speech after Florida’s loss to Ole Miss? (It almost drove me to tears, no seriously, I have no shame) What happened after that speech? The Gators won out, winning the SEC then beating Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship game. (Oh ya, that’s why they engraved the speech on a plaque and placed it right outside the entrance to the football facility at Florida)

There is no better example of the motivation that Tim Tebow gives his team than analyzing how Denver’s defense has been playing since he took over relative to how the defense played when Kyle Orton was starting. Prior to Tebow taking over as the starter, the Denver defense was allowing on average 28 points per game and 385.8 yards per game. Since Tebow took over, the Denver defense is allowing on average 20 points per game and 329.8 yards per game. Call it what you want to, but the team is playing harder, tougher, and better with Tim Tebow as the starting quarterback.

As unconventional as Tim Tebow is as an NFL quarterback, (the guy won a game while completing only two passes . . . . . two) he is a winner, he is a leader, and he is a fierce competitor. Tim Tebow may never make an All-Pro team, and he may never lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl title, but that’s ok, because his legacy will not be determined by how many rings he has or what his stats are. Tim Tebow is truly a special player, and far beyond that, he is a truly special person. Tim Tebow’s legacy has already been cemented. Unlike his NFL counterparts, Tim Tebow has been able to transcend the barriers of what makes a player special, not statistics, not rings. Tim Tebow’s character, his competitive nature, his persona are why we will never forget the name “Tim Tebow.”