OPINION

By Matt Hayes

updated 1:19 a.m. ET June 11, 2008

Matt Hayes

This is where life imitates ... what exactly? What began two years ago with a quirky jump-pass in a college football game has evolved into this extraordinarily surreal life: communicating with heads of state, preaching to prisoners and, yes, circumcising children in a Third World country.

All in one offseason.

Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in December, the first sophomore to do so. In the six months since, the Florida Gators' iconic 20-year-old quarterback has traveled more than 15,000 miles to be honored by 15 organizations in nine states. A devout Christian, he has spread the gospel all over the country in various speaking engagements — and as a missionary in the Philippines and Croatia.

He has corresponded with the president of the United States, and presidential candidates have asked for his support in campaigning. In July, he'll travel to Thailand on yet another mission of hope. Meanwhile, he finished this term at Florida with a 3.68 grade-point average. Played a little football, too.

"God gave me this gift for a reason," Tebow says. "There's a sense of purpose in everything I do. It's not me in control; He is. There's a great amount of comfort knowing that."

A peek into Tebow's overloaded offseason:

To Mr. Heisman from Mr. President
Dec. 9, 2007: The day after Tebow wins the Heisman, George W. Bush sends him a handwritten letter congratulating him on his season and his spiritual convictions. Tebow responds with a handwritten letter.

Win with Tim! Win with Tim!
January 2008: Still don't believe in the power of Tebow? Representatives from both political parties court him to campaign with them during Florida's presidential primaries. Tebow doesn't choose sides but hasn't ruled it out altogether.

Nor has he ruled out -- deep breath, everyone -- a political career after his playing days are over.

"I didn't feel it was right to publicly show support right now," Tebow says. "I am conservative. I am interested in politics, I pay attention. But there's too much on my plate right now. That may be something that comes in the future."

The awards circuit
Jan. 10-13: Walter Camp Weekend, New Haven, Conn. Darren McFadden wins the big prize, but Tebow is honored as a first-team All-American.

Feb. 17-19: Davey O'Brien Award, Fort Worth, Texas.

March 6-8: Maxwell Award, Atlantic City, N.J.

April 1: Sullivan Award, New York City.

"I haven't really had a chance to sit back and take it all in," Tebow says. "The awards, the people I met, the honor of being chosen. I'm humbled by it all."

Spring break:

Mission in the Philippines
March 8-16: Tebow was born in the Philippines. His parents, Bob and Pam, are missionaries there through the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association, and Tim returns on annual missions.

This time, in an impoverished village outside General Santos City, he was asked by doctors to help perform minor surgeries -- including circumcisions and the removal of cysts -- because of the lack of medical personnel in the village.

And yes, there was actual cutting involved.

"You don't have time to be nervous," Tebow says. "those kids need you."

Spring football game
April 12: Spring practice ends, and the university honors Tebow with a sign on the facade of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium signifying his Heisman Trophy. The sign is next to a plaque for Danny Wuerffel, Florida's 1996 Heisman winner and Tebow's boyhood hero.

Tebow plays in front of 6 1,000 fans at the spring game, and the offense -- with freshman Chris Rainey asserting himself at running back -- looks better than ever.

First and 15
April 13: Tebow organizes a First and 15 powder puff football tournament with the university sororities to raise money for orphans in Florida and around the world. The tournament raises nearly $10,000. "It's not really about the money," Tebow says. "It's about raising awareness."

Bringing hope to prisoners
April 19: In his first free Saturday since December, Tebow visits two Florida prisons and preaches the gospel. Florida's sports information department has received more than 1,000 speaking requests for Tebow from all kinds of organizations, including many from prisons in Florida, Georgia, Texas, New England and the West Coast.

"If you responded to each one, it would consume your day," says Florida publicist Zack Higbee, who estimates he speaks with Bob Tebow "at least once a day" to coordinate Tim's requests. "Tim doesn't say no, but the reality is he can't possibly do more than a small amount of them."

The power of ministry
May 28: Tebow speaks to more than 2,500 people during a youth rally at Bradford County High's football stadium in Starke, Fla. "Sometimes, the power of God is overwhelming," he says.

The lunch break
June 3: Tebow speaks to Matt Hayes, eats a meatball sub. "Things are finally starting to slow down a bit," Tebow says. "I haven't had a meatball sub in a long time, and it tastes good."

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