Vegas notables strike their best Tebow pose to mark Denver quarterback’s visit

Las Vegas Sun

Friday, March 2, 2012 | 2 a.m.

Professional football players have certainly influenced pop culture, but perhaps none has triggered such a wildfire reaction as Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow’s dropping to one knee and praying during games, either seeking divine help or giving thanks for it.

That’s when his last name evolved into a verb, “Tebowing.”

The Internet is chock full of photographs of people Tebowing in all sorts of situations. A mountain climber is photographed at the very peak, framed by sky, on one knee, with his fist to his forehead. And indeed, he may have been praying. A swimmer is seen striking the Tebow pose while jumping into a pool. Praying? Probably not. Airmen on an aircraft carrier, Tebowing. Praying? Anybody’s guess, but who is to judge?

For his part, Tim Tebow is not offended if his prayerful moments are being imitated if only for fun. He’s happy to roll with it.

“I’m not sure, but I gotta believe that I’m probably not the first athlete to get on a knee and pray,” he told late-night TV host Jimmy Fallon a month ago. “But also, on the other hand, the greatest form of flattery is ... imitating somebody.”

So, on the occasion of Tim Tebow speaking at four worship services this weekend at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, we are adding some of our Vegas friends to the collection of people photographed as they Tebow. And who’s to say? In Sin City, some of them may actually be praying. We won’t judge.