In a wellorchestrated moment that makes Jimmy Chitwood look like an Amway salesman, Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow took the stage on his home field yesterday, to celebrate his team's second national championship in three years. In front of a crowd of 42,000 of the Gator faithful, he thanked his school, he thanked his coach, he thanked the fans, and he thanked his god. Then after, saying good bye and walking toward the edge of his stage, he turned back to the flock and said the words they wanted to hear. "I shall return."

Yes, for three years Tebowmania has slowly engulfed the college football landscape and his decision to return for his senior season only turns the volume up past 11. The team that was one blocked PAT from an undefeated season, could return as many 19 starters. Tebow, easily the most recognized player in college sports right now, would be playing for a second Heisman (again.) A full season of "greatest player ever" and "greatest team ever," awaits. Just read this one paragraph, to a get taste of what's ahead.

Those muscles listed in press guides, all 240 pounds of them, they can, in fact, hang heavily on a man. He seemed almost weighed down by the bulk of his physique. The toll his perfectly tuned body had taken in 3 1/2 hours against Oklahoma was clear from the red burns on the right shoulder where he wore an ice pack for almost an hour.

No, that's not a Penthouse letter. "Superman" had been bruised. He feels pain. He gets tired. Not that he ever rests, of course. He has too much determination, too much fighting spirit, too much leadership, to ever stop moving and let down his teammates. Or worse, himself. And the media loves him for it.

The people who don't love him for it are the fans who root for teams that aren't Florida. One of our commenters said it best, declaring that all the fawning praise had made him hate a missionary. I'm sure Tim Tebow is a great guy, who has done a lot of good things. And it is rare to see a player thank God in his post-game speeches and actually believe that he means it. But so have a lot of other guys who haven't perfected the jump pass. The praise of Tebow has reached embarrassing, head scratching proportions. The way this is going, he'll soon be bigger than his hero, Jesus.

The sad thing is that this is as good as it gets for Tim Tebow. His pro prospects fall just north of Eric Crouch's so leaving school was not much of an option. And the circus of next fall will be more than maybe even his humble shoulders can stand. Yet, the legend will continue to grow. The praise will continue to fall. And the blood will continue to boil. All that anger gets dumped on him, even though it's really anger at the myth makers and the jort wearers. But Christ, you know it ain't easy.

I don't need to tell you where Gator backer Dan Shanoff stands on the matter, and I won't quibble with him beyond pointing out that "most decorated" does not necessarily mean "best." (Who is arguing for Archie Griffin as the best running back of all-time?) But Shanoff is correct that anything less than 14-0 will be considered a failure for Tebow and his Gators next year. Given their schedule, that seems highly likely, but the pressure may just cause some to crack.

And by "some," I mean "all of us."

Superman Tebow is human after all [Palm Beach Post]
Shanoff's W.U.C.: 2009 The Year Of Tebow [Dan Shanoff]
[Picture via Cajun Boy via Nicholas Carlson]

According to Fox announcer Thom Brennaman—and if you don't agree with him, you must be some kind of deranged lunatic—Tim Tebow just may be the finest human being to ever live on this planet or any other. If fact, Thom Brennaman himself felt like little more than a puny insignificant speck in the fearful presence of Tim Tebow's greatness. Of course, Tim Tebow is made of such generous spirit and delicious candy that he cured Brennaman of his fear (and his adult acne), making him feel completely at ease and joyful simply by performing a Gator chomp with Tebow-esque hands.

Yes, it was Tim Tebow who healed fellow teammate Percy Harvin's ankle and then willed him to 122 yards rushing on nine carries. It was Tim Tebow's idea to deny Sooner running Chris Brown at the goal line on fourth down. I'm pretty sure he used some sort of levitation magic to keep Sam Bradford's pass bouncing in the air long enough for Major Wright to intercept it. It was his hand that reached down from the heavens to block a 49-yard field goal attempt late in the third quarter. And, despite letting Oklahoma stay in game out of compassion and sportsmanship, it was Tim Tebow who leapt over an Oklahoma wide receiver to snatch away an fourth-quarter interception and turn the game in the Gators favor. (Wait, that was Ahmad Black. Funny that the game story didn't mention that, but I'm sure it was the revelation of Tim Tebow perfect bone structure that encouraged Black to do it.)

Yes, Tim Tebow threw two interceptions of his own, but that was just pure unadulterated leadership. I, for one, feel like a better person for simply having watched that football game last night. He makes me want to be a better football fan.

Florida 24, Oklahoma 14 [AP]
Walters: Tebow's true grit is one of a kind [MSNBC]
BCS National Championship Game: Open Thread And Running Quotes [Awful Announcing]