University of Florida Legend Tim Tebow Has Officially Trademarked 'Tebowing'

Tim Tebow popularized the act of dropping to one knee to give thanks to God during football games, and now he owns the trademark for it.

The "inventor" of "Tebowing," who played all his college football for the University of Florida, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and appearing on BCS National Championship-winning teams in the 2006 and 2008 seasons, insists he didn't acquire the trademark for financial gain. He told the Associated Press his goal is to just control how (Tebowing) is used, make sure its used in the right way.

The media already are just beginning to question Tebow's right and ability to own a position for prayer. The trademark isn't on the term "Tebowing" alone, it's on the pose, explains Tebow, now the backup to New York Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez.

According to the Washington Times, "Drop to one knee with your fist to your forehead, and if Tebow does not approve of the context, you will pay. ... In the sticky muck that is the 'separation of church and state,' the Tebow trademark may set a slippery precedent."

The Times asks, "If Tebow can trademark the pose of praying with his fist on his forehead, can the Catholic church trademark the 'praying hands' pose? If Muslims trademark the traditional poses that coincide with their daily prayer obligations, the yoga instructor at your local gym may be in trouble. Is the term 'Buddha belly' indicative of religious affiliation or beer consumption? Or in our case, just a chubby baby?"

As the article points out -- and the Times does wind up on Tebow's side -- luckily, the UF legend is more interested in using "our government-granted intellectual property rights to protect his religious act from money-grubbers than to control how we individually pray."