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Why Russell Wilson is the Most Jesus-y Bronco Since Tim Tebow

Faith-wise, the Chosen One has nothing on Russ.
March 24, 2022
Image: Russell Wilson at his introductory Denver Broncos press conference on March 16 and a portrait of Tim Tebow.
Russell Wilson at his introductory Denver Broncos press conference on March 16 and a portrait of Tim Tebow. Denver Broncos via YouTube/WaterBrookMultnomah.com

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Since news broke on March 8 that the Denver Broncos had traded for Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, win-starved residents of Broncos Country have gloried in the excitement of his acquisition and taken pleasure in the pain suffered by boosters of the Seattle Seahawks, his former squad, and other teams in desperate need of an elite signal-caller.

But while scads of articles have celebrated Wilson's on-the-field skills and devotion to community — epitomized by a well-publicized visit to Children's Hospital in the company of his celebrity wife, entertainer Ciara — there's been relatively little comment about something he has in common with one of the most beloved Broncos from the past.

To wit: Wilson is the most Jesus-y Bronco since Tim Tebow.

As discussed in "Tim Tebow Timeline: The History of the Chosen One in Denver," the Florida Gators legend spent fewer than two years in the Mile High City; he was drafted in April 2010 and traded to the New York Jets in March 2012, the same month Denver acquired the services of one Peyton Manning. But the shadow he cast while Tebowing in assorted NFL end zones lingered for far longer. (For proof, check out this 2018 post filled with tweets from true Tebow believers praying for his return.)

Of course, Christianity was a big part of Tebow's brand long before he came to Denver. At Florida, he had a fondness for writing "John 3:16" on his eye black, and he and his mom co-starred in a Super Bowl ad on behalf of Colorado Springs' Focus on the Family shortly before he first suited up in blue and orange. Once in Denver, Tebow tweeted enough religious text to fill one of Westword's most viewed posts of all time, the December 2011 offering "Tim Tebow's 10 Most Motivational Bible Verse Recommendations & When to Use Them."

Wilson can relate. During his introductory Broncos press conference on March 16, he repeatedly offered praise to his Heavenly Father and revealed that his mother sends him scriptural passages every day. He tweets plenty of them, along with Christian affirmations that are frequently enhanced by capital letters and exclamation points.

Wilson and Tebow have abstinence in common, too. Tebow famously claims to have preserved his virginity until he married former Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in January 2020. Likewise, Ciara told E! News that she and Wilson remained celibate throughout a dating process that lasted more than a year, choosing to wait "until the deal [was] sealed" before finally consummating their love.

Here are eighteen Wilson tweets about his faith from 2022, listed in reverse chronological order. When you're done reading, you may be convinced that Wilson is the Broncos' next Chosen One — if you weren't certain already.

Number 18:
Number 17:
Number 16:
Number 15:
Number 14:
Number 13:
Number 12:
Number 11:
Number 10:
Number 9:
Number 8:
Number 7:
Number 6:
Number 5:
Number 4:
Number 3:
Number 2:
Number 1:
Image: Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.
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