As much as I like Tim Tebow and admire him as an athlete and a person, I’m also getting a little tired of hearing about him all the time.

Sometimes it seems as if he’s getting as much face time as Barack Obama. Which would be good if he had a fix for the budget deficit or health care, but he doesn’t. Tebow, that is. (Well, maybe Obama, too.)

But Florida’s version of Superman, and the only person I know that can turn Steve Spurrier into a bumbling fool, does seem to attract more attention than the law should allow, even for things that ostensibly have little or nothing to do with football.

Like his virginity.

For those who missed it, Tebow pretty much stole the show at the SEC Media Days in Hoover last week. He got his own full press treatment, just like the coaches. And part of that treatment was an out-of-left-field question from a blogger for AOL who asked him: “Are you saving yourself for marriage?”

For any other college football player, such a question would have certainly been considered out of bounds for reputable journalists, or even sports writers. The SEC also thought it was off base, and revoked the blogger’s press credentials.

But Tebow, of course, is very different. He is an evangelical Christian, and not shy about sharing his beliefs. Indeed, he sees his athletic career as a mission from God, to quote the Blues Brothers.

And since one of the primary tenets of his faith is that sexual relations should only be between a man and his wife, a strong case can be made that the question did have merit.

Tebow was prepared — as always. His answer was yes. It would have been bigger news if he has said no, and also a great disappointment to parents and youth pastors everywhere who have held him up as an example.

It’s just another example of how this young man — and we have to keep reminding ourselves that he is still young — seems to be up to the task, no matter what the task is. He did not dodge any questions last week, especially that one. It is also a reminder to him and his legion of fans that there are those who, because of his position and public beliefs, will attempt to tear him down — whether he’s in the pocket or the pulpit.

Tim Tebow is in a bit of danger of overexposure, but it can scarcely be avoided. When you’ve done so much, and so much more is expected, it is inevitable.

But it doesn’t matter.

Because Tim Tebow is on a mission from God.

Robert Carter is the sports editor of The North Jefferson News.