Tim Tebow to Sign With Patriots: Twitter Has a Laugh

Just eighteen months after he became a global sports phenomenon both online and in real life, Tim Tebow's NFL future was very much in question.

A disappointing 2012 season with the New York Jets coupled with long-standing doubts about his pro quarterbacking ability had sports pundits debating whether or not he would ever get another NFL shot. The New England Patriots, however, seem to have ended that debate for now after reports that they'll sign Tebow to a contract this week. That set off a mini-hysteria on Twitter after the news hit Monday afternoon.

Why the digital fascination? Tebow's signature celebratory move became an Interent meme of monumental proportions in late 2011. His all-American image and fervent Christian faith make him both a source of inspiration, as well as a laughing stock for many. Oh, and ESPN has appeared obsessed with all things Tebow for a few years now, adding infinitely more walls to the online Tebow echo chamber.

The American sporting public's love-hate-love relationship with Tebow meant Twitter was full of jokes after folks learned he found a new team. Check out 15 of our favorites, below, then let us know what you think in the comments.

1.

Tonight on sportscenter: Heat even up series, MLB and a preview of Stanley Cup BUT FIRST we will spend the next hour talking about Tebow

— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) June 10, 2013

2.

Sportscenter for the next month: Lebron TebowTebow Lebron LebronTebow TebowTebowTebow TebowTebow Tiger WoodsLebron

— Arturo Navarro (@arturonavarro24) June 10, 2013

3.

Starring Wesley Snipes, Mario Van Peebles and John Skipper. RT @espnbook #Tebow The crack cocaine of Bristol, Ct.

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) June 10, 2013

4.

With #NBAFinals #StanleyCupFinals #MLB & #USOpen — @sportscenter spends first 14 minutes on #Tebow. Hide all women & children.

— James Andrew Miller (@ESPNBook) June 10, 2013

5.

Tebow to the Patriots?BRADY: What'd you do last night?TEBOW: Study the Bible. You?BRADY: Bang Gisele Bundchen.[Awkward silence.]

— God (@TheTweetOfGod) June 10, 2013

6.

tebow will start against the jets and win and belicheck will become the master troll

— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) June 10, 2013

7.

Probably Tebow's best bet. The Patriots have been turning ordinary white guys into superstars for over a decade now

— Jack Edelson (@JackEdelson15) June 10, 2013

8.

Tebow going to England makes me so happy because let's be honest this means he'll never play again

— Samwise Gamgee (@spunkymrsam) June 10, 2013

9.

If they dont convince Gronk and Tebow to live together and make a reality show about it then I will be extremely disappointed in America

— Tylerstrenke (@Tylerstrenke) June 10, 2013

10.

Hey, HBO: No Hard Knocks this year - just Gronk and Tebow sharing a bunkbed. Thanks.

— Jason Gay (@jasonWSJ) June 10, 2013

11.

I know we're all ragging on Tebow, but that guy still makes more money sitting on the toilet than the rest of us do working actual jobs.

— Donte Neil (@DonteNeil) June 10, 2013

12.

Did the AP really just call it the Boston Tebow Party? God, this is gonna get nuts.

— Gerry Callahan (@GerryCallahan) June 10, 2013

13.

The best thing about following CNN is getting a balanced take of terrorist plots and Tim Tebow's work schedule.

— Mac Hanson (@JMacHanson) June 10, 2013

14.

Lebron had a cool block and Tebow got signed. Espn is set for about a month or so

— Nikola Vladimir (@BourbonSerbian) June 10, 2013

15.

The Tebow jokes are getting worse by the millisecond.

— Jack. (@PrayForJack) June 10, 2013

Image via Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images