The bible versus on Tim Tebow’s eye black

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am a Tebow Fan.  I think it is amazing that he is not ashamed of his faith and lets the whole world know.  He is the protypical hero I want my kids to look up to one day.  Growing up I always noticed the John 3:16 signs hanging in the crowds during Dallas Cowboy football games, and thought it was a cool way for people to display their faith.  There is a very unique relationship between sports and religion, one that causes a diverse range of emotions.  I have always admired atheltes who are not ashamed of their faith and are proud to tell the world and give thanks to God.  I have always wondered what the true impact of displaying the faith could be.  Here is a true metric that may answer that question: Google Trends.  If you are not familiar with this site, here is a short overview of what it does:

Google Trends analyzes a portion of Google web searches to compute how many searches have been done for the terms you enter, relative to the total number of searches done on Google over time. We then show you a graph with the results – our Search Volume Index graph.

-taken from: http://www.google.com/intl/en/trends/about.html

If you look at John 3:16, the latest bible verse to be featured on the eye black of Tim Tebow, you get the number 1 search for google on January 8, 2009.  If you look at when it rose to number 1, it was right around game time (see images).  The cool thing about this, is the fact that most Christians can recite this verse without even having to think about it…it often the only verse some know, but they know it.  That makes me beileve that most of those who googled John 3:16 are non-believers…what an amazing thing.

UPDATE: I checked the rest of the Gator’s football schedule and looked to see where Tebow came up in the google trends:

• 11/1: Florida Gators v. Georgia Bulldogs: “Phil 4:13″ ranked 12
• 12/6:Florida Gators v. AlabamaCrimson Tide (SEC Chamionship game): “Phil 4:13″ ranked 47
• 1/8/09: Florida Gators v. Oklahoma Sooners (National Chamionship game): “John 3:16″ ranked 1

The rankings go up with the high profile games and increase media attention.