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Tebow capable of making dream a reality at Super Bowl
Mike Tierney

Dec 7, 2011*
Welcome to the 2012 Super Bowl from Indianapolis, between the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos.

The unbeaten Packers expected to be here. They are the defending champions and four-time Super Bowl winners. Next week, their quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, will become the first active player enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Why wait?

The Broncos are familiar Super Bowl contestants, too; they are here for the seventh time. But nobody saw this one coming, unless he was hallucinating. Their quarterback, Tim Tebow, was buried deep on the bench when the season started.

But when Denver got off to a slow start, supporters clamoured for Tebow. The Broncos relented and made him the starter, presumably thinking, "This will show our fans - and Tim - that he should be playing another position. On a rugby team".

He was considered a place holder until someone cut from the mould of John Elway, the Broncos, former superstar quarterback and now the team vice-president, came along.

Throughout the season, while Rodgers was painting weekly masterpieces, Tebow was grabbing handfuls of paint and flinging it at the canvas.

Much of it, naturally, missed the target. Yet, during every fourth quarter, the picture would somehow take the form of a Broncos win, and the team that was 1-4 when he took overhas stormed into the biggest game in American football.

The heavily favoured Packers race to a 7-0 lead as Rodgers completes seven passes to eight different receivers. Hold on, that is impossible, but it sure appeared so.


Tebow's first pass sails into the stadium's third row, nearly decapitating the celebrity entertainer who occupies the best seats. His second attempt, however, is a bullseye - if the destination is the backside of an offence lineman. Anybody up for a round of "Can Anyone Identify The Intended Receiver?"

The Broncos go three-and-out. Green Bay drives for a field goal.

The Broncos go three-and-out. Green Bay drives for a field goal.

The Broncos go three-and-out. Green Bay drives for a field goal.

This is not a broken record. (Nor a broken laptop keyboard). As we head to half time, we finally sense some drama: will musical guest Madonna suffer a wardrobe malfunction?

Green Bay has 16 points. Denver has zero - points, first downs or pass completions.

On the first snap after the second-half kick off, Rodgers drops back and throws an interception! Who is this impostor?

The pick off is returned to the Packers' 1-yard line. It matters not that the defence, along with three billion television viewers, knows what is coming. Tebow, ball in hand, drags seven Packers across the goal-line. Green Bay, 16-7.

Seven minutes to go. Tebow unfurls his first pass that is caught by someone on the field. Alas, it is a Packer, who is tackled at the Denver 10.

The defence stiffens, and another three-pointer gives Green Bay a nigh-insurmountable 19-7 advantage.

Back in Green Bay, we are told that city fathers are hastily scheduling a victory parade for Tuesday.

Wait a second. Tebow has driven the Broncos, entirely on the ground, to the Packers' 8-yard line. It is fourth down.

Tebow retreats and fires. The ball bounces off the side of a teammate's helmet and boomerangs back. Tebow catches it in mid-air and ploughs over five Packers for a touchdown! His first completion is to himself!

He glances to the sky, blocked by the stadium roof, and points nonetheless in his trademark gesture of thanks.

Trailing 19-14, the Broncos line up for an onside kick. The ball deflects high off the turf and into the grasp of Denver's No 15. Oh, my, it's Tebow, added to the kick-off unit! Another heavenly signal follows.

Needing to cover 58 yards in 35 seconds, Tebow almost takes out the side judge and the chain gang with overthrows, then finally connects with one of his own guys, at the Green Bay 16. Three seconds left.

Timeout. Trainers tend to Tebow, who has sprained his neck from repeatedly looking up.

Tebow capable of making dream a reality at Super Bowl
Mike Tierney

Dec 7, 2011*
Tebow accepts the snap, rolls left and laterals to wide receiver Eric Decker. An end-around! Decker heads right, brakes and flings a pass into a crowd of players just across the goal-line. Caught! Touchdown!! Broncos win!!!

We cannot identify the hero until the players unpile. Glory be! It is Tebow, clutching the ball for his second touchdown reception of the day.

Confetti is raining down, triggered by the unlikeliest Super Bowl development since the overrated rock band Kiss was named a half-time act in 1999. Denver has won despite another display by Tebow that was uglier than your pet Neapolitan Mastiff.

Let's listen in on the post-game interviews.

John Fox, the Broncos coach: "I love Tim, but surely you did not think I would trust him throwing that last pass, right?"

Elway: "There is no truth to the rumour that we have reached a deal to trade for Peyton Manning as our new quarterback. Now, are we considering it? No comment."