Greensboro, NC -- Fans adore him. Kids want to be him. Women want to date him. It's Tebow mania, even in the Triad.
Somehow the combo of Tim Tebow's football and his faith have ignited an explosion of love and hate, all surrounding what appears to be a very simple, earnest man.
"Anytime you have religion involved in anything, it gets people talking," said Tyrone Tyson, Pastor of Freedom Baptist Church. "With his faith, and his openness with it, it causes people to be drawn to him."
Tyson said he can see why the superstar can captivate a crowd. He said like it or not, Tebow is genuine.
"He's coming against all odds," said Courtney Nealeans, a Tebow fan.
Tyson said while people always want to pull for the underdog, Tebow might be proving to some, there is a higher power.
"It's a wonder in people's minds if God is real or not. And when they can see it manifest in the physical, it gives them hope," Tyson said.
Although a lot of athletes have faith, only Tebow blows up Twitter.
Tyson said he doesn't think God favors Tebow over any other athlete.
"I think it's more of just, Tebow is doing an incredible job. He's had great games. And God loves everybody, not just Tebow," he said.
When it comes to Tebow, who's clean-cut, smart, an athlete and a Christian, there's also a female factor.
"He's kind of my secret boyfriend," said Tebow fan, Virginia Brown. "I don't understand why people wouldn't like him."
"Women are drawn to that because they can have the tough guy and the loveable guy at the same time. And he fits that bill," said Tyson.
Tyson said if Tebow was an advocate for anything other than faith, he likely wouldn't have the same following. And even with his faith, he can't win over everybody.
"He's going to have his detractors. But that's what makes Tebow unique because despite what people say about him, despite the criticism, he continues to be Tebow," said Tyson. "He has an incredible story to tell and I truly believe, his story is more than the glory of football."
WFMY News 2