Tim Tebow would like to try his hand at politics

Tebow is looking beyond his football career and can see himself helping others. But would people want to vote for him?

Tim Tebow is an interesting fellow. An athlete who is known largely for his faith, he has been sitting on the sidelines since joining the New York Jets (a team that already has a quarterback). But Tebow is already looking forward to his future and a possible chance at a different career. The quarterback spoke with ESPN about what he might want to do after football.

“I haven’t ruled [politics] out,” he said. “It won’t be anytime soon in my future, but it’ll be something I’ll at least look at and consider one day.”

Seth Cline with U.S. News & World Report spoke with GOP strategist Bryan Hughes about Tebow’s chances of making an easy transition, and Hughes said it might actually be easier for Tebow than for most. “Many of the political newcomers have to face an uphill battle with name ID, so Tebow would have an advantage with that,” Hughes said. “Beyond his celebrity status, I think he emulates the values a lot of conservative voters look for. He’s made some clear statements about his faith and social convictions.”

Tebow gained notoriety early in his career when he talked about his wish to lose his virginity only after he was married, and also for the famous kneeling stance he would take on the field, which was eventually called “Tebowing.”

A move by Tebow into politics wouldn’t be the first for a football player. According to Cline, past football players who have made the transition include — perhaps most famously — President Gerald Ford and former congressman and vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp. But there are many others who aren’t as well known on a national scale. They include “former Republican Rep. Steve Largent, who starred for the Seattle Seahawks, and former Republican Rep. J.C. Watts, a star Oklahoma Sooner who became the first African American elected to statewide office in [Oklahoma],” said Cline.

But if you ask Tebow’s fans, he still has many, many years of football left, and so politics won’t be able to steal him away for a long time.

Photo courtesy PNP/ WENN.com