Whether we admit it, we all have celebrity crushes. Mine happens to be much-maligned magic man Tim Tebow. People hate when I talk about this. Most of the time I get one of two reactions: “But he’s not Jewish!” (Grandma, I don’t care!), or: “Ew, why? He sucks.”

My love has stood the test of time. I watched him give the most heartfelt postgame news conference I have ever, and probably will ever, see after the loss to Ole Miss in 2008. I cheered as he led Florida to heights unparalleled in college football. I saw him prove everyone wrong when he was drafted in the first round in 2010 — take that, Mel Kiper, Jr. I even tolerated the monk haircut his Denver Broncos teammates gave him as a rookie. And, oh boy, that 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas in overtime for a playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. I cried tears of joy that day.

Even now, when the New York Jets and head coach Rex Ryan have cast him off as a failed experiment, I’m optimistic. I believe that one day — hopefully soon — Tim will make it as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Granted, this success probably won’t come in New York. This past Monday, the Jets signed former Jacksonville Jaguars veteran quarterback David Garrard to compete with Mark Sanchez and Greg McElroy for the starting role.

Through the trials and tribulations of my career as Tim Tebow’s biggest fan and future wife, I have had to deal with the deluge of negativity that comes with associating myself with one of the most polarizing athletes of our time. But I ask this question: Why is Tim Tebow so hated? 

Let us examine the man behind the myths.

“He tries to convert everyone.”

The guy loves Jesus. He has a strong faith and his identity is inextricably linked with his Christian values. Why is this a bad thing? Yes, after every game he thanks his “Lord and savior Jesus Christ.” If anything, this should be welcome in a league riddled with over-inflated egos. In all of the time I have followed his career, I have never once heard Tebow utter anything remotely close to proselytizing. There are other athletes just as vocal about their faith that don’t incur anywhere near the amount of hate that Tebow garners.

Jimmer Fredette is probably the nation’s most famous Mormon athlete. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali publicly embraced Islam, Venus and Serena Williams are committed Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Illinois basketball legend Tal Brody passed up an opportunity to play in the NBA in the 1960s to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. Brody was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and was on campus this past February to be honored as his jersey was hung in the rafters at Assembly Hall. All of these athletes represent their specific religious denominations and are celebrated for it. What makes Tebow any different?

“He’s just not that good.”

The facts: Two national championships, a Sugar Bowl win, a Heisman Trophy and a winning season with a sub-par team as a starting quarterback in the NFL. 

“But his throwing motion is abysmal.”

Blah, Blah, Blah … I wouldn’t want any other quarterback in the game down multiple scores in the fourth quarter. That’s Tebow Time, baby. He wills teams to win games. Yes. It’s obvious he doesn’t have Tom Brady-type mechanics, and I don’t think he’ll ever be the pure pocket passer that is typical in pro-style offenses. But teams need to realize that to win with Tebow they have to work with what he’s good at, like running draw plays, the option and play-action passes. Buy in and give him time to develop the NFL arm.

Why are we still talking about this in 2013?

With free agency in full swing, where Tebow ends up is a major question among NFL junkies, fans and haters alike. Though under contract with the Jets for two more years, it is widely thought that New York will release him from the roster with the start of the new league year this week.

After the close of the Jets’ disappointing 2012 season, many thought “Jacksonville, duh!” Tim would return to his hometown enveloped in a blanket of Gator love and hero worship. But now this seems questionable. Many analysts, writers and sports personalities have taken Rex Ryan’s failed “attempts” — if you can call it that — at utilizing Tebow as proof that it is impossible for the 25-year-old to succeed as a quarterback in the NFL. They suggest a move to the Canadian Football League or a permanent change in position to running back, halfback or even tight end.

Where does this leave our boy Tim? Will he acquiesce to the critics and listen to Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days” on a loop in a dark room while eating copious amounts of rocky road ice cream? Of course not. Even if you don’t like the guy, give him credit for his work ethic.

My guess? After the Jets dispose of Tebow, he’ll begin the 2013 season as a backup quarterback on a struggling team and end up the undisputed starter. Sounds familiar, right? But hopefully, this time Peyton Manning decides to stay put and continue his miraculous comeback in Denver.

Aryn is a junior in LAS. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ArynBraun.