Tebow, on the other hand, has used a run-first, pass-second strategy, something analysts have long crowed would never be possible. We may never see another quarterback who, in a pass-first league, can lead his team to victory while only attempting eight passes—which makes his games must-see television.

But the more interesting factor, the reason Tebow is more than just a passing fad based on new player formation, is his personality. Tebow is a serious young man in a silly adult world. He is an irony-free individual who seems uninterested in developing an athletic persona based upon rehearsed machismo or wink-wink self awareness. He's content to be himself and to give answers that are more straightforward than his downfield passes.

To quote Grantland's Jay Caspian Kang, Tebow "eyes up the zeitgeist, smiles, and says a prayer for its soul." To put that quote into perspective, Aaron Rodgers recognizes that same zeitgeist, accepts its logic, and then tries to figure out which camera he should wink at.

That's not to say Tebow is without distinct personality traits. On the contrary, he is as well-known for his outspoken religious beliefs and for the ways that he adamantly displays those beliefs, whether it be via Bible verses inscribed in eye paint or in thanking his "lord and savior Jesus Christ" at the beginning of interviews, as he is for his play on the field. Tebow's refusal to tone down his religious fervor partially accounts for why he continues to command so much attention.

It's possible to make the argument that Tebow is just another celebrity athlete who is simply choosing to sell people on the good book rather than a certain brand of sneakers. But his method of presentation makes him vastly different from his counterparts.

The degree of sincerity Tebow displays while presenting himself to the public is what makes him distinct. When Tebow scores a touchdown—something he does much more frequently than most NFL quarterbacks—he doesn't partake in some celebration that entails showing the world he's Superman or pretending to don a championship belt. He either reacts with workmanlike satisfaction or unbridled joy. These types of celebrations are uncommon in the professional ranks but rampant on the fields of pee-wee football, where the young competitors are unaware of the people watching them but very much engrossed in the joy of competition.

Tebow's pre-game/post-game ritual doesn't involve gathering his teammates in a huddle and screaming a bunch of nonsense, a routine that purports to get players' competitive juices flowing but always seems like it's designed to show off to the cameras on the playing field. Before he takes the field, Tebow simply kneels. Kneeling is sign of humility, and while the gesture does make him stand out on NFL sidelines, the fact that it's consistent with his humble personality makes it seem real rather than a ploy for attention.