Tim Tebow

This weekend was the annual NFL draft. It's always a wild time, even more so this year given the new three-day structure and live, prime-time first round on Thursday. And, of course, there's always plenty of surprises.

The 2010 draft was no exception. But the biggest surprise by far came on opening day as with the 25th pick in the first round, the Denver Broncos selected Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow is now poised to be the Broncos' quarterback of the future, and might be the face of the franchise in a few years.

I maintain a healthy enthusiasm. I LOVE the Broncos and I LOVE Tebow, but I wonder if coach Josh McDaniels won't ruin both. That, however, is another discussion.

What made the move so shocking was that Tebow was taken in the first round at all. Heading into the draft, there were 4-5 prime quarterbacks (depending on how you felt about Cincinnati's Tony Pike). But the major players were Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy and Tebow. None of the major experts predicted a high draft slot or strong success for Tebow.

Sure, Tebow has an unorthodox delivery — or did before enduring months of intensive training work. Sure he stumbled in the Senior Bowl, but a career is defined by more than one game.

Let's look at the four quarterbacks. Bradford had a great season in 2008, winning the Heisman trophy and leading his team to a BCS bowl, where they lost. They lost the year before, too, in spectacular fashion to Boise State. Then this season, Bradford injured his shoulder, missed pretty much the entire year and entered the draft. Sure, he has some raw physical skills. But he played in an offensive system that doesn't translate, meaning he could be a risk.

Clausen put up some gawdy numbers at Notre Dame — but none of those numbers came in the team's win column. During his tenure, the Irish failed to be major contenders. So do physical tools and numbers alone show one's greatness?

McCoy also put up big numbers, and was twice a finalist for the Heisman trophy. He never won the award, and his team never really won anything big with him at the helm either. Then there's the fact he got injured in the National Championship game.

But all three were projected to be better and drafted higher than Tim Tebow. All Tebow did was become the first sophomore to win a Heisman trophy — the first in history. All Tebow did was win two national championships (as a freshman and junior). All Tebow did was have four incredible years at Florida — culminating in one of the most impressive passing performances I've ever seen in his team's bowl victory in January. Tebow is durable, he's a great leader and he's a winner.

He's also a Christian. And in major athletics, that last label is the one that sticks most with critics.

David Robinson was a great center. He put up great numbers, was by all accounts an honorable man, and played his heart out. But critics labeled him "soft." Why? Because he was an outspoken Christian.

So I hope Tebow proves all his doubters wrong. Not because he's a Bronco now (though that's a bonus), but because he's a winner. He's proven it at every point. He's also an ambassador of our faith, and he's not afraid to stand up proudly for what he believes in. In our world that's a rare quality indeed.