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Tim Tebow: An uneven career timeline

Jonathan Bachman / Reuters

Remember Tim Tebow? He's back! Sadly, not in Pog form.

After a brilliant collegiate career, the polarizing lefty made his way to the NFL where marginal quarterback play, combined with a 24-hour sports news cycle took his stardom to new heights. 

Here's a helpful reminder of the dizzying highs, terrifying lows and creamy middles of Tim Tebow's NFL career.

April 22, 2010: Drafted by the Denver Broncos

Josh McDaniels is patient zero for Tebowmania, an ailment that will eventually afflict millions, as he trades away the Bronco's second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2010 to move up to 25th overall.

There is immediate concerns about Tebow's throwing motion and inability to read offenses, but he starts three games at the end of his rookie season and the believers have a reason to believe: Tebowing.

October 23, 2011: Tebowmania begins in earnest

The beginning of an eight-game stretch in which Tebow takes the Broncos on a 7-1 run, getting the team to the playoffs one wobbly throw at a time.

It is heady days for the country. Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" is teaching us to dance again, the world falls in love with planking and there is no known cure for Tebowmania.

"I'll tell you what though, he's a gamer," old men everywhere tell you in the lineup to see an actual person at the bank. What a time to be alive!

The Big Lead

(Courtesy: The Big Lead)

January 8, 2012: Lone playoff win

In the unquestioned highlight of his on-field career, Tebow leads the Broncos to a stunning upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round of the 2011 playoffs. Tebow throws for 316 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning strike to Demaryius Thomas in overtime. USA! USA! USA!

March 26, 2012: Traded to Jets

After the Broncos sign journeyman quarterback Peyton Manning, Tebow becomes expendable. 

The Jets acquire a proven winner and all it cost them is a fourth- and sixth-round pick - oh my God, what's with that loopy throwing motion? 

Things don't pan out for Tebow with the Jets, though, as he is relegated to part-time, semi-quarterback play while continuing to dominate the headlines. It lasts only one season, and thus begins Tebow's entry into the NFL wilderness.

Tebowmania wanes.

June 10, 2013: Signs with Patriots

After brief excitement, and a reunion with Josh McDaniels, Tebow is cut before the season and never plays a down with the Patriots. It is thought that if football genius Bill Belichick can't figure out how to use Tebow, no one can.

April 20, 2015: Signs with Philadelphia Eagles

Which brings us to today's signing by Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles. Nobody knows if Tebowmania will once again dig its ravenous claws into the soft underbelly of the American psyche, but we know at least one person who's extremely excited.

Let's welcome #Tebow back to the #nfl ESPN_FirstTake

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