Tim Tebow Unknowingly Starts 'Tebowing' Trend on Twitter
In the closing moments of the Denver Broncos verses Miami Dolphins game last Sunday, Denver quarterback Tim Tebow was shown bowing, on one knee, praying on the sidelines next to his fellow teammates while they waited for Matt Prater to hit the 52-yard field goal that gave Denver an 18-15 victory in overtime. Little did Tebow know at the time that his sideline prayer would start a new trend, called “Tebowing.”
According to Tebowing.com, the word means to “to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.” The website features funny photos of people praying on one knee in various locations, and encourages others to submit their own photos.
What isn't clear is whether or not the site's creators mean to mock Tebow or if it is just done out of good humor, but either way the Broncos quarterback seems to approve of it.
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“Love it!” he posted on his Twitter account on Thursday after sharing the definition. The subject of #Tebowing became a trending topic on Twitter Thursday, USA Today reports.
Photo submissions to Tebowing.com have resulted in a number of creative adaptations of the quarterback's name. In one photo, a man is seen “Tebowling” at a bowling alley. Another shows a child in a Superman costume and is described as “#ToddlerTebowing.” A group of Colorado high school cheerleaders are also seen “TEamBOWING” in another photo.
The website is also selling merchandise, including items like hats, shirts and even baby bibs. Many of them say “Tebowing” or “Tebowing For Greatness” and feature a silhouette of the NFL quarterback with the number 15, his Denver jersey number, printed on his chest.
“Tebow makes praying cool for all those that don't pray,” said one Twitter user, who goes by the name Penniegadget, on Friday.
Many people are comparing the new trend to planking, which is when someone lays still and straight, often in unusual places.
“So #Tebowing is the new planking. I'm psyched,” wrote Twitter user Chris Burton.
Others aren't so excited about the trend, however, saying it mocks Tebow and even God. Many Twitter users say they have been Tebowing, using the word interchangeably with "praying," which has many people upset.
Between Tebow's faith and his controversial on-the-field performance last Sunday, his critics and his supporters have had a lot to talk about during this past week. On Sunday, Oct. 30, he will be given yet another opportunity to prove his worth as an NFL quarterback when the Broncos (2-4) face the Detroit Lions (5-2) at home.
