Tim Tebow
One of the most polarizing athletes in sports, Tebow started out the season as a third stringer. But after replacing Kyle Orton as Denver starting quarterback in October, the former Heisman Trophy winner and Florida Gator National Champion has the Broncos on the verge of the playoffs, and is now nothing short of a national phenomenon. Tebow is 7-1 as a starter, and has engineered fourth quarter comebacks in five of his eight games. The latest miracle: the Broncos trailed the Chicago Bears 10-0 with just over two minutes left on Dec. 11. Tebow threw a touchdown pass and then put Denver into field goal range during a last-minute drive, sending the game into the overtime, where Tebow again positioned his team for a field goal, this one to win the game. Tebow's public proclamations of his Christian faith and altar boy aura roil detractors who'd rather just see football, not a sermon, on Sundays. His habit of "Tebowing" — crouching down on one knee and praying during games — has been mimicked, and in some cases mocked, in spots around the world. Before he took over the starting position, Tebow had already sparked a religious debate, but now, his football is driving the discussion. Can a run-first quarterback with a flawed throwing motion who doesn't seem to show up until the fourth quarter continue Denver's winning ways?