Tim Tebow's faith not hurting endorsement deals after all?

The Sports Grind Entertainment caption on this screen capture reads: "NFL's lil baby Jesus?"

At this point, however, plenty of company reps appear to be knocking on his door. Now that his jersey has become a national best-seller, he's reportedly signed a deal with Nike and will appear on EA Sports' 2011 college football video game. Moreover, he says he's actually turned down endorsements to concentrate on pigskinning.

Here's an excerpt from the Memphis Commercial Appeal article linked above:

While Tebow has been blown away by the number of endorsement opportunities, he's also declined some seven-figure per year deals because he thought they would interfere with his football preparation.

"I'm trying to work hard and not get my mind cluttered with all that," Tebow said. "When it gets to the point when something needs to be presented to me, I see it. Right now, it's all ball for me."

Surprisingly enough, the folks at TebowHaters.com haven't weighed in on the big bucks revelation at this writing. But the Philadelphia sports website GCobb.com offers a sympathetic take:

I don't understand the people who criticize the hoodlums, rapist and thugs in the NFL, but still criticize somebody like Tim Tebow, who is willing to stands for good clean godly living.

Tebow is considered controversial by some in the media because he shares his faith and talks about the Lord. I have heard and believe that if you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.

I like what Tebow stands for and so do millions of other Americans. No one can honestly deny that he's hit a nerve with the football fans.

That last observation is one with which Tebow lovers and haters can agree.