Tim Tebow

RON JAWORSKI treats opportunity like a Doberman treats prime rib. So when Tim Tebow was released by the New York Jets on April 29, Jaworski took a shot by reaching out to the unemployed quarterback and offered him a roster spot with the Soul. He's still waiting for a reply. "I haven't heard back from him and I'm not going to push it," said Jaworski, one of the Soul's owners. "If he decides he wants to play Arena Football, we'll make a spot for him. " Jaworski and Soul coach Clint Dolezel sent Tebow a list of plays they had in mind for him, most were around the goal line.

TIM TEBOW said he'll pass, which was probably a good idea under the circumstances. The Jets quarterback turned down an opportunity to speak at the First Baptist Church in Dallas because its pastor has made outrageous statements about gays and other religions. On Thursday, Tebow tweeted that he canceled an April 28 appearance because of "new information that has been brought to my attention. " The Rev. Robert Jeffress, the church's pastor, has said that Islam promotes pedophilia, and has railed against gays, Jews and Catholics.

Could it be Tebow Time in the Arena Football League? Soul part-owner Ron Jaworski said Wednesday he was serious about his offer to former New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow to join the AFL team. Jaworski reached out to Tebow a day after the Jets released him in April. Jaworski has yet to hear from Tebow but expects to eventually. "I love the guy," Jaworski said. "I want him here just for his leadership. " Tebow was brought to New York to be a dynamic addition to the offense, a complement to Mark Sanchez, and a merchandising touchdown for the Jets.

The Tim Tebow phenomenon has caused me to scratch my head so often, I've actually carved out a tiny road in my hairline. I used to have a free-flowing mane. In my many years of covering sports, I have never seen such a marginally talented athlete so overhyped. With Tebow routinely falling to his feet on a playing field, the sporting public has fallen to its feet. The ESPN poll this week revealed the Broncos' QB to be America's favorite active pro athlete. Only 11 athletes total, in the 18 years of this poll, have reached No. 1 status and most of them were in the stratosphere of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Tiger Woods.

The Broncos are 6-1 since Tim Tebow took over for Kyle Orton at quarterback. Four of those victories have come by either four or three points.   For the record San Francisco's Frank Gore passed Hall of Famer Joe Perry (7,344) for the most yards rushing in franchise history. Gore now has 7,395 yards. The 49ers are wearing No. 34 helmet decals this season in honor of Perry, the first player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He died in April at age 84. Ben Roethlisberger set a Steelers record for completed passes with 2,026 in his career, one more than the old club record of Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw .   Weird stat Rookie Jeremy Kerley muffed a punt deep in his own territory for the Jets' NFL-high sixth special-teams turnover this season.

By Jonathan Gurwitz Charles Barkley may have said it best: "I am not a role model. " Anyone who looks to famous athletes for moral guidance is almost certain to end up disappointed. There have been notable exceptions - athletes whose success in sports was matched by personal and professional integrity and decency. But behind every amazing dunk, every game-winning touchdown, and every spectacular home run is a fallible human being just like the rest of us, prone to make mistakes, break laws, and sin. Few athletic stories are more inspiring than that of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, who fulfilled an improbable dream of playing football at Notre Dame with faith and perseverance.

NEW YORK - Tebow Time is off the clock.   Tim Tebow was waived by the Jets on Monday, the end of an unsuccessful one-season experiment in New York that had been expected for months.   "Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we all had hoped," coach Rex Ryan said in a statement by the team in announcing the move.   The Eagles are not interested in Tebow.   The Heisman Trophy winner attempted just eight passes after his ballyhooed arrival in a surprising trade from the Denver Broncos in March 2012.

NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2007, will speak at Plumstead Christian School's annual Founder's Day Forum April 15 in Souderton. Tebow will deliver a message of "faith, family and football," at two events at Calvary Church. The New York Jet quarterback has been outspoken about his Christian faith which is a focus of Through My Eyes , Tebow's best-selling memoir published last year. Tebow will be the first professional athlete to speak at the annual event which has featured several high profile figures including President George W. Bush, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Vice President Dan Quayle.

Besides sports, I can't think of anything as universally polarizing as religion. Yes, I'm making this observation as a believer. Just look at history. Wars waged because of it. Slavery condoned in its name. Lunatics carrying out unspeakable acts for the glory of God - or so they claim. Even now, religion plays a part in our political and cultural consciousness like never before. Heck, Republicans - and religious conservatives - would have anointed Mitt Romney as their presidential candidate a long time ago if he wasn't so, so Mormon.

TIM TEBOW has been criticized for years about his quarterback skills, his arm and how he throws. He refuses to accept anyone calling him a quitter or phony. The New York Jets backup quarterback insisted Wednesday that he didn't ask out of running the team's wildcat plays last week, but acknowledged what he said in a meeting with coach Rex Ryan might have been misinterpreted as such. "I never said, 'Hey, I don't want to do anything or I won't do anything,' " Tebow said. "That wasn't the talk at all. He knows that, and everybody on this team knows that.

THE NEW ENGLAND Patriots yesterday announced the signing of the former Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, 6 weeks after he was cut by the New York Jets and just in time for the start of the 3-day Patriots minicamp that runs through tomorrow. Tebow practiced with veteran New England starter Tom Brady and backup Ryan Mallett. The newest Patriot wore No. 5, not his familiar 15 - which belongs to Mallett - on his shorts and helmet. The QBs wore red jerseys without numbers. "First and foremost, I just want to thank the Patriots for giving me an opportunity.

Vonta Leach was released Tuesday by the Baltimore Ravens, who failed to agree on a restructured contract with the all-pro fullback. Leach was an integral part of a running game that helped the Ravens become champions last season and was also a key figure in the locker room. Leach will visit the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday. Bradshaw to Colts. The Indianapolis Colts agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent Ahmad Bradshaw, adding a veteran running back to their crowded backfield.

IF NEW ENGLAND coach Bill Belichick really hates the way Tim Tebow plays, he has a funny way of showing it. The Patriots reportedly are signing the former Jets and Broncos quarterback to a contract and expect him in minicamp today. ESPN.com and NFL.com, citing league sources, reported the news yesterday, the same day the Patriots announced they had released backup quarterback Mike Kafka. The websites reported Tebow was being brought in to play quarterback. CBSSports.com, however, citing a source, reported that he will play tight end. Tom Brady is, of course, the starting QB. His backup is Ryan Mallett.

IT HAS TAKEN two games in less than a year for the Arizona Rattlers to go from an infrequent opponent to a difficult rival for the Soul. Like a long-lost uncle who comes over for Christmas and then shows up (groan) on Valentine's Day and again on Easter, the Rattlers are in the way once more. The Soul has won two in a row but must pass a stiff test to make it three. "Anybody who says that there isn't extra motivation would be lying," Soul coach Clint Dolezel said. "We know they are the team to beat.

Could it be Tebow Time in the Arena Football League? Soul part-owner Ron Jaworski said Wednesday he was serious about his offer to former New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow to join the AFL team. Jaworski reached out to Tebow a day after the Jets released him in April. Jaworski has yet to hear from Tebow but expects to eventually. "I love the guy," Jaworski said. "I want him here just for his leadership. " Tebow was brought to New York to be a dynamic addition to the offense, a complement to Mark Sanchez, and a merchandising touchdown for the Jets.

RON JAWORSKI treats opportunity like a Doberman treats prime rib. So when Tim Tebow was released by the New York Jets on April 29, Jaworski took a shot by reaching out to the unemployed quarterback and offered him a roster spot with the Soul. He's still waiting for a reply. "I haven't heard back from him and I'm not going to push it," said Jaworski, one of the Soul's owners. "If he decides he wants to play Arena Football, we'll make a spot for him. " Jaworski and Soul coach Clint Dolezel sent Tebow a list of plays they had in mind for him, most were around the goal line.

AS OF YESTERDAY, Terrell Owens wanted to return to the NFL, or become a professional bowler. But check back tomorrow, the week's still young. Owens, who played for the Eagles for 2 years, but has been out of the league for 3, told Blindside.com that he recently worked out with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and that he would like to sign with the Patriots. "I think that's a no-brainer. You look at what they've done over the years. Under the tutelage of Tom and coach [Bill] Belichick, I think the sky would be the limit in terms of what I'd be able to do. " If the Patriots don't call, however, the 39-year-old Owens apparently has a backup plan.

THE CARTOON that was widely disseminated this week depicting Jackie Robinson hugging Jason Collins completely distorts the significance of Robinson's legacy and Collins' act. We're all aware of the social juggernaut that is the gay-rights movement. Anyone who refuses to stand up (or come out) and support same-sex marriage, public funding for gender-reassignment operations, punitive actions against the Boy Scouts and the inclusion of gay-friendly provisions in immigration legislation is a bigot.

JUSTIN BLACKMON'S latest violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy will cost him money - maybe lots of it. The league suspended the Jacksonville wide receiver yesterday for the first four games of the 2013 season for his second violation in less than a year. He will not get paid for the 4-week hiatus. Maybe more important, the suspension triggers language in his contract that voids future guarantees. Now, the Jaguars could cut him without having to pay about $10 million that remains on a 4-year, $18.5 million contract.

Embrace every female shape With teens emulating British model Cara Delevingne, there is a problem that girls could go too far to get a so-called thigh gap ("A dangerous teen obsession," April 25). That being said, there's nothing wrong with admiring or having a thigh gap (as I have, without dieting to attain it). But there is nothing wrong with not having one, either. When will the media and their experts on this subject of women's bodies get it right? Feature all body types with the positives expressed, without condemning another shape.