He plays, he prays, and even when he loses, he makes news. The 2011 footballs season may be over for Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos quarterback, man of God and Internet meme, but the headlines march on.

And why not? His social media numbers are even more impressive than his passing statistics.

Ad Age and social media monitors Bluefin Labs put together some examples:

The total number of social-media comments (primarily on Twitter and public Facebook updates) surrounding the Jan. 8 Broncos-Steelers game was 2,137,220. In terms of social buzz, that makes it the largest single sporting event since January 2011, according to Bluefin — even bigger than last year's Super Bowl. (The average number of social-media comments for an NFL game on CBS is 107,637, including all regular season and playoff games in the 2011/2012 season.)
Social-media comments pertaining to Tim Tebow during the AFC Wild-Card Game numbered 1,162,546 — an amazing 54 percent of the total comments for the game.
16 percent of the Tebow tweets above used the phrase “Tebow Time.” The second-most popular theme, with 15 percent of the overall volume? Anti-Tebow comments.

Add it all up and it's clear that Tebow, whose career is still new, has a monster media presence.

Just think of what he could do for insurance.

The last we heard about Tebow and insurance was back in his Heisman days, when he had about $2 million in policies against injury while playing for the Florida Gators. Coverage was made available through the NCAA and — wait for it – independent agents.

Based on that little tidbit, wouldn't it be great if Tebow would agree to be the pitch man for the independent agency system?

And why not? The direct writers have Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on those State Farm commercials. (And Vicks NyQuil, appropriately enough, has Bears Coach Lovie Smith, snoozing through both the commercials and most of the NFL season.)

I get a feeling Tebow is more of an independent guy himself — what with his endzone prayer and his Bible verse face paint. So far, his only endorsement deals are with Jockey underwear, Nike and EA Sports, bringing in a piddly $1 million to $2 million a year. Everyone knows the insurance industry has deep pockets. The last time independent agents had an official spokesman, it was 1984 and the spokesman was Raymond Burr. It's Tebow-Time for a reboot!

So what are we waiting for? Forget real time, recruitment and lobbying Congress for a medical loss ratio exemption. Let's pool our resources and make it Tebow Time for insurance!

Before a politician nabs him.

Special Reports /

Toops Scoops: Why Not &quot;Tebow Time&quot; for Independent Agents?

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