The realm of speculating a celebrity's sexual orientation is a province best left unentered. But it appears Tim Tebow has invited the churns of the rumor mill with pious public professions and other "evidence" now garnering headlines in the mainstream blogosphere.
Fresh off the cleated heels of winning ESPN's America's Favorite Athlete poll (albeit by a slight 3 percent edge), Tim Tebow's sexuality has moved beyond the fringe to become a mainstream topic.
First up, a parody of the controversial Manhunt billboards has made Tebow and fellow QB hottie Tom Brady the subject of many a gay Facebook posts this week (less evidence and more entertainment, admittedly):
But the loudest testament to a gay Tebow (according to hordes of homosexuals and some leading blogs in recent days) arrives in the form of the quarterback's post-Steelers game interview from late last year, a video that's also spreading like wildfire across social networks:
Normally, I wouldn't spare a second thought to men who are prone to slightly-lisped, wrist-flailing demonstrations. Who cares?! But when it's the aggressively evangelical and anti-gay organization-associated Tebow, we—even the open-minded gays who are regularly subjects of stereotypes themselves—might begin to assess the situation. Lord knows (apologies for taking the name in vain and all, Tim) that history is littered with devoutly-religious types finding themselves "exposed" as homosexuals, and study after study continues to reveal that ardent homophobes are more often than not self-hating gays themselves.
"Tebow would have an incredible opportunity to bridge the persistent divide in this nation between evangelical Christians and the gay community. I mean, honestly: It's time for this matter to be settled. Tebow could get his followers to be more accepting of gays, and he could get filthy liberals to be more accepting of evangelicals. I think he and Von Miller would make the cutest gay couple ever."
I was raised in Middle America, taught to kneel before the alters of Christianity and football, so Deadspin's romantic vision of an openly-gay Tebow resonates. A self-appointed (and fan-made) prophet who could link the evangelical/homosexual gap? Imagine the implications. I couldn't even fathom as a Catholic-school-boy grappling with same-sex attractions having someone like Tebow to look up to. Years of depression would've been shaved from my life.
If the rumor based on archaic stereotypes and wishful-thinking holds even an ounce of validity, Outsports' Cyd Zeigler Jr. brings us back down to earth.
"All that pious religious bullshit he spews…at the end of the day, that’s not him," writes Zeigler. "That’s what his parents and his pastors have drilled into his head from the day he was born. The kid doesn’t even know who he really is ... If he is in fact gay, he may not know it. Even if he does, chances are slim he’d be comfortable telling his mother…or pastor…let alone us.
"If Tebow is gay, he is buried beneath so much crap he many never get out from under it. Instead of attacking him for it, maybe reaching out a helpful hand would be nice. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a crappy quarterback. But all that 'my lord and savior Jesus Christ' stuff…could be Tebow’s cry for help."
What do you make of the intensifying rumors surrounding America's Sweetheart? Should the gay community leave Tebow alone or should we apply pressure to our accelerating fascination with the country's "favorite athlete?"
... written by TimTebowRocks!!!!,
January 24, 2012
Listen rhpro he kneels on his knee because he's a Christian
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... written by Bill12120,
February 01, 2012
Whoever wrote this article is an idiot, and should find a new profession.
-2
... written by FL2012,
February 05, 2012
Gay people have nothing to do except thing of all people as gay lol!
-2
... written by Butch Manley,
February 08, 2012
The queen who wrote the article is ridiculous. Instinct is even more ridiculous for printing it. What a bunch of crap and stereotypical queeny POINT OF VIEW BY BOTH! This article is guilty of what gays have been fighting in the media for ever. Hateful and spiteful speculation and ignorance about ones actions or lives. Shame on you Instinct !
I am a gay man out of the loop. I don't follow football or pop-culture. Watching him for 2 minutes, I can confidently presume he is a VEGAS SHOWGIRL. He isn't JUST gay; hes a queen! I can see him performing on the mainstage at the Golden Nugget with a feathered headdress.
-1
... written by garman,
February 17, 2012
My best friends brother seems like the gayest guy in the world, but he's not. Her sister seems like a lesbian on steroids, but she's not. And my sweet, petite, very feminine friend... you got it, a lesbian! Who really knows what a persons sexuality is, mannerisms, the way they speak and other "obviously gay behaviors" are not really good indicaters of a persons sexual orientation.
I hope whatever Tim is, that he finds love; with a true life partner, friend and wonderful companion, be it male or female. It's what all people deserve, just love and some happiness. If he is gay, I hope and pray he'll find the strength and courage to be an open gay man. He seems a good guy at heart and if he turns out to be strait, I hope he opens his mind and heart to stop hurting others with that old time religion hatred of gays.
-1
... written by gobucks1962,
February 21, 2012
Folks, I hate to tell you this, but lisps and wrists are not what make a man gay. How freakin' ignorant this writer is. Don't get me wrong, I hope Tebow IS gay--and I hope he kicks some stupid straight ass if he comes out.
-1
... written by JPMORGAN,
February 23, 2012
NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT, HE DOES WALK KINDA FUNNY!...
-1
... written by T-Man,
February 24, 2012
Let him Live, I'am not gay. So leave him alone. I hate seeing this stuff about him, knowing the true as only I could know.Sorry Stop the wishful thinking
+0
... written by Dude,
February 25, 2012
Who CARES if he's gay? He's a damn good ballplayer, and that's all that matters!
-1
... written by Waydownsouth,
February 27, 2012
I don't follow football much, and until a few months ago I couldn't even tell you what team he plays for. I do know one thing for sure... when I saw that picture, I got a Teboner!
Who knows if he's gay or not, but if he's questioning, I volunteer to help him figure it out! Even if it is our little secret!
-2
... written by TAYLOR FREAKING HAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,
February 29, 2012
Tim Tebow obviously isnt gay since he has a smokin girlfriend. yall are stupid. hes amazing.
-2
... written by shorts28,
February 29, 2012
When ur a christian u get attacked the bible say the world will come against you and that's what is happening ppl are making fun of the guy like SNL, ppl are calling him gay as long as Tim stands strong in his faith who cares! Leave him alone already.
+0
... written by hal74,
March 06, 2012
I really think he believes that he has to remain a virgin until marriage. He's probably using a fleshjack daily thinking of some hottie.
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... written by timmy tebow,
March 12, 2012
Tebow is not gay you guys are just some dumb peopole if he was gay he would be kissing his teamates and coches.tebow is better than y'all. Who made this stupid website
-1
... written by GayBaptist,
March 23, 2012
I normally agree that someone's sexual orientation is a matter of their own choice on whether they come out or not. But when Tim Tebow is anti-gay and makes his faith part of his persona as a player, it is an issue. It is one thing to be closeted but it is another when you profess to be against something that you very well may be. A growing number of denominations accept that someone can be both Christian and gay. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church, USA, Episcopal Church and the Alliance of Baptists among them. So If Tim is gay, he could find support and a home as a Christian as well as being gay.
Wow! This is one of the more ridiculous articles I've come across lately. There's so much wrong here I don't know where to begin! First, proposing that Tebow could be an openly gay athlete, eventually, while he is a conservative evangelical and opposed to homosexuality, is just plain moronic. Wishful thinking on the author's part, that's all. Are gay men so hungry for positive role models or representatives that are "branding" heterosexual men as gay? Second, his "gestures" are gay?! Wait a minute...I thought gay men were always telling everyone not to judge a book by its cover: you can't tell if a guy is gay just by looking at him, but that's exactly what the writer is doing because Tim Tebow talks with his hands? Obviously he hasn't spent much time around older Italian and Jewish men who 'talk with their hands'- they must all be gay too! Third, and maybe most offensive, is the suggestion that Tebow has to be hiding part of himself or must be deeply ignorant of himself, like this writer knows more about the man than Tebow himself knows! And the gay guy who wrote that he was married but then 'found' himself to be truly a gay man. But he could have sex with a woman??? If you don't find women, or at least their parts, attractive, you can't 'do the deed.' Physically impossible. If you choose to define yourself as gay, homosexual, whatever, that's your business, but enough with the PC bull about 'sexual orientation.' Its sexual preference for a lot of these guys, like that writer demonstrates. Emotion, upbringing, genetics...all goes into the equation. Who is anyone to tell a man about his 'orienation' or what he feels inside? Ridiculous, indeed. And even if Tebow does have an attraction to men, and chose not to act upon it, isn't that his business? I mean, what happened to personal freedom and being true to yourself? Don't gay men believe in that? Only the individual knows what is right for him, not some self-appointed experts or 'gay community.' If the writer is on to something and Tebow has 'gay' feelings and keeps it secret, that's nobody's business but his. It is not his duty to some imaginary community to go to a gay bar and let strange men f*ck him in the butt in order to be 'true' to himself. Gay 'men' need to grow up and be men, not lame stereotypes.
+0
... written by KMike1973,
April 08, 2012
Wow! This is one of the more ridiculous articles I've come across lately. There's so much wrong here I don't know where to begin! First, proposing that Tebow could be an openly gay athlete, eventually, while he is a conservative evangelical and opposed to homosexuality, is just plain moronic. Wishful thinking on the author's part, that's all. Are gay men so hungry for positive role models or representatives that are "branding" heterosexual men as gay? Second, his "gestures" are gay?! Wait a minute...I thought gay men were always telling everyone not to judge a book by its cover: you can't tell if a guy is gay just by looking at him, but that's exactly what the writer is doing because Tim Tebow talks with his hands? Obviously he hasn't spent much time around older Italian and Jewish men who 'talk with their hands'- they must all be gay too! Third, and maybe most offensive, is the suggestion that Tebow has to be hiding part of himself or must be deeply ignorant of himself, like this writer knows more about the man than Tebow himself knows! And the gay guy who wrote that he was married but then 'found' himself to be truly a gay man. But he could have sex with a woman??? If you don't find women, or at least their parts, attractive, you can't 'do the deed.' Physically impossible. If you choose to define yourself as gay, homosexual, whatever, that's your business, but enough with the PC bull about 'sexual orientation.' Its sexual preference for a lot of these guys, like that writer demonstrates. Emotion, upbringing, genetics...all goes into the equation. Who is anyone to tell a man about his 'orienation' or what he feels inside? Ridiculous, indeed. And even if Tebow does have an attraction to men, and chose not to act upon it, isn't that his business? I mean, what happened to personal freedom and being true to yourself? Don't gay men believe in that? Only the individual knows what is right for him, not some self-appointed experts or 'gay community.' If the writer is on to something and Tebow has 'gay' feelings and keeps it secret, that's nobody's business but his. It is not his duty to some imaginary community to go to a gay bar and let strange men f*ck him in the butt in order to be 'true' to himself. Gay 'men' need to grow up and be men, not lame stereotypes.
+1
... written by kess,
April 13, 2012
I find it rather strange that the only copy of this interview is a grainy third/fourth generation example....come on......can we say "fake"?
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... written by The Evil Puppy,
April 27, 2012
He is using his religion as a crutch. I'm not dating woman because I'm waiting for marriage. Yeah right. What straight sex driven man does something like that? The video just adds fuel to the fire.
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... written by shithead,
May 11, 2012
The funniest thing to me is u fight your ass off to legalize gay marriage,while the first gay couple to legally marry are already divorced,someone should have told them to wait huh;-) and about throw,of coarse hes gay there aint no real man gonna act like that,especially a pro foottball player!!
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... written by barry331,
May 16, 2012
My suspicion of his sexuality isn't about the nonsense written in this article, but rather that I don't buy his choosing of football consuming him so much that he doesn't have time to date. Most people who hold out from sex until marriage usually get married early, quite honestly to start having sex. Tebow being a god at Florida has had no shortage of opportunities, at the least to date other evangelicals. He continues to have tremendous opportunity with his exposure and is viewed as an ideal son in law for many fathers out there. I actually do agree with part of this article where is sexuality has been so repressed he doesn't know which way is up. The flesh is weak, if he were a hetero man he would have given in married, but because he prays away his own gay, he is a virgin wiith the worlds vagina at his beckons call
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... written by D. Thamm Jr.,
May 17, 2012
Yep he is gay or mild bisexual...though will try it with a women once and then see gaylight. News will come after his football career is over so be patient with him. Remember this post. I am always right. He is a great athlete and good guy. Especially nice to his mom. Will be proud to have him part of the gay community. I do hope he hires a women to have a kid after he marries a dude.
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... written by did someone say he's a virgin still....,
May 31, 2012
then he's way gay....it's just a matter of time before he (and Anderson) come out
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... written by Doesn't Matter,
June 18, 2012
I knew a gay guy. In fact, that gay guy hooked my wife and I up...and we just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. I think (if Tebow was gay) it would be the best thing to happen to the gay community. Everyone says Justin Bieber is gay. Why, because he's a solo boy band from the 90s? In America, its uncool to be gay. Yet, Tebow is a respected team leader, a playoff contending QB, a Jesus believing, God fearing, house-hold-name athlete that makes headline after headline. Tebow being gay would be as huge as Moses crossing the Red Sea. Why? Because it would bridge the gap between being gay and being successful, following your dream, and conquering what America says you can't do. Just imagine.........the Pittsburg Steelers loosing the Wildcard playoff game to the Broncos lead by a gay QB. Does that mean the Steelers are weak? NO! They earned their playoff spot, and the Broncos earned their win. But it does means that a gay man can possess the same skills needed to beat a team in the playoffs that hoist 6 Lombardi Trophies. Being gay does not make you weak, a loser, ect. My gay friend died the day my wife and I came back from our honeymoon. And I promise you, I miss him as much as the straight guys I served in the Marines with. We are not gay or straight. We are human . Tebow is human. It doesn't matter if he is gay or straight. What matters is if he can win games....and according to his NFL stats, he can!
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... written by sharon wiehler,
July 15, 2012
look come on, is tim Gay? is that the question? when the question should really be, there's no way this guy is straight right? but look, does it matter? yes it absolutely does! if he's using a prop like religion, to veer off the course of an inevitable path to his homosexuality, then yes it does matter and it's wrong! and he's not 15 in crisis, hes 23 and needs to come to terms with what hes really useing his knee bent,closed fist to the forehead, platform, for. I feel for the kid, I really do, but is he going to go thru another season of football, throwing slant passes to jeesus on the sidelines, or get it straight and be a man whose homosexual but honest with himself in and out of the huddle? lets hope for the latter, and 'pray' he comes out!
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... written by just plain david,
July 27, 2012
I want to be the mole just too the left of his navel... 2 feet from those lips... 2 inches (hopefully) from the tip of his CC.
Pretty please???!!!
+1
... written by Warren,
September 08, 2012
Whether he is or not (highly doubtful), outing somebody or publicly berating them to come out against their will is one of the most heinous acts the gay community can do to itself. And it makes us, as a community, look really petty and insensitive. Tebow is trying to be good person in a world that could really use some good people. let him be.
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... written by pchck2,
September 13, 2012
Reading most of these posts it seems to bring out the extremes of gay and str8 thinking. Setting aside the question as to his sexuality, I am now waiting for the NFl or his team PR dept.to set him up with some celeb. or a good Christian girl, a saved virgin!, as his love interest! Recently, this has happened with a couple of other NFl players when the rumors started about their orientation! Also, another NFl player, rumored to be a bf of another high profile player, recently got engaged and married when the rumor mill heated up about their relationship. So, don't be surprised to see him doing the PDA thing with some cutie (female, of course).
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... written by dlflyboy,
September 22, 2012
He looks so sweet. I love it!! Best wishes in your career
+0
... written by Jay K,
October 29, 2012
The boy is HOT!!! I hope he s gay....no woman deserve those good looks....kidding!
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... written by tomk,
January 08, 2013
i went to a religious school and when i knew i was gay i did everything i thought god would want of me to make me "normal"..i was so tormented and suicidal. then i had a moment of clarity that saved my life which in a nut shell was that i was exactly how god intended. i always knew this but after being told so mant crazy things for so long you become unsure. i became an expert a bible history and interpertation. so i know what the bible says and does not say about this and most things...i can see how tebow is doing the same thing in an effort to do what he thinks is right. i hope if he is gay he will be as lucky as i was. my luthran religon was not crazy like some. he is a member of a radical subset of relgious church that is fundamental when that is really impossible. ..i hope his suffering will not be long. it is a terribly lonely and dangerous place to be...society ownes it's children better than what they give us regarding being gay. most if not all clear thinkers know that being gay is simply another authentic way of expression for human/animal love and sexuality. the sad part of this is that there is no religious reason at all to be anti gay..NONE...but people in control always need scapegoats,and fear is their master....my prayers are with him either way...
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... written by jburger,
January 16, 2013
Lord Have Mercy, that 'Jesus stuff', 'Jesus Lord and Savior', 'God' stuff etc. Lord Willing be Real, and True....Lord Forgive Lord Willing if/when i or any be wrong or offbase PLGB http://www.Bible.cc
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... written by Fritz Schmidt,
January 29, 2013
Is he gay ? I don`t care.....Even if he were, the body is nothing special...beefy , no definition , and a wide butt......
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... written by Steven Powell,
February 20, 2013
He is sexy and I hope he's gay
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... written by Steve15477,
February 26, 2013
He may be fighting the urge to merge. He would loose millions of dollars if he were to come out. Honestly, for that much cash, most of us would happily run back into the closet and then come out RICH when the career was over.
+0
... written by Straight Shooter,
May 03, 2013
OMG... LOL... I am still wiping the tears away from LMAO on the "I have a TeBone" comment. I am straight and that was freakin' hilarious.
