Talented Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow is just 21, but the way sports writers are summarizing his performance in the championship bowl game, the college junior is one of football’s demigods.
A headline in the Palm Beach Post enthuses "Superman Tebow is Human After All." The Florida Times-Union wrote, "Going pro? Tebow Can’t Go Wrong." Another headline from the CurrentlyOK student-run news site quipped, "Tebow Skips Senior Season, Ascends Directly Into Heaven."
There are even multiple independent fan sites dedicated to every statistic, biographical fact and motion Tim Tebow makes. The Heisman Trophy winner’s tracks are being covered with the same devotion that’s paid to A-listers like David Beckham or Brad Pitt.
We’ve seen celebrities and professional athletes worshiped with religious fervor, but Tim Tebow is one of the more prominent cases of a talented college athlete with a devoted following that borders on the bizarre.
Worshiping College Athletes
Gators QB Tim Tebow Reaches Superstar Status
Trend Themes
1. Celebrity-like Adoration of College Athletes - Opportunity for companies to tap into a new market of devoted fans and consumers by partnering with highly popular college athletes.
2. Increased Importance of Personal Branding in College Athletics - Opportunity for athletes to build a strong personal brand while still in college, potentially leading to higher earnings and career opportunities in the future.
3. Erosion of Traditional Athletic Structure - Opportunity for new systems and models to emerge that better support and compensate college athletes who have achieved celebrity status.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Apparel and Merchandise - Companies can capitalize on the demand for highly popular college athlete merchandise that rival that of professional athletes.
2. Social Media and Influencer Marketing - Social media platforms and marketing agencies can expand their reach by partnering with highly popular college athletes and leveraging their devoted fan bases.
3. Higher Education - Universities and colleges may need to adjust their policies and approach to supporting highly popular college athletes who are essentially celebrities.