Tim Tebow and the Most Unlikely Stars in Sports

While there are many athletes who excite the sports world with their world-class ability, there are others who somehow garner the spotlight for their stealthy intangibles.

They may not have a rocket arm, proper mechanics or eye-popping attributes, but their will to win and stellar play in the clutch has helped propel these athletes into the limelight.

These superstars fought the odds and are now living their dreams.

Let's take a look at the most unlikely superstars in sports.

Enjoy.

Before being selected with the No. 11 pick in the 2006 NBA draft by the Magic, J.J. Redick was revered for his flawless free-throw shooting and his consistent three-pointers. 

Not only did Redick set ACC records for most points, consecutive free-throws made and most career ACC tournament points, but he set the Duke record for most points in a single season.

While Duke's all-time scoring leader is undoubtedly proud to have had his jersey retired in 2007, he wasn't as pleased with the constant doubts surrounding his pro-game potential.

He has surprised the NBA world, averaging 10.2 points per game and shooting .438 from behind the arc during his short career.

The former Arkansas fullback consistently excited the NFL world last year as the bruising rusher for the lacking Browns.

After beginning his prolific career as a fullback in Denver and being thrust into a rushing role amidst injuries, Peyton Hillis found himself in Cleveland with little expectations.

With 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground in 2010, Hillis began to garner respect from the media and fans.

While an injury-plagued 2011 has undoubtedly led to ubiquitous doubt about his future, the 6'2", 250-pound halfback seemingly has the toughness to find a way.

While he did lead the nation in scoring during the 2008–09 season with 28.6 points per game and was a consensus first-team All-America selection, Stephen Curry was still seen to be at a crossroads.

Some believed he was overrated, others a confusing combination between point and shooting guard.

He set Davidson career records for three-pointers, free throws, 30-point games and 40-point games, set a single-season NCAA record for three-pointers and led Davidson to two straight NCAA tournament appearances.

Selected with the No. 7 pick by the Golden State Warriors in 2009, Curry may continue to fight off doubts, but he is quietly putting up a solid 18.0 points per game.

A promising future indeed.

While this hard-working, scrappy former Tar Heel was the ACC's all-time leading scorer and a consistent force down low before entering the 2009 NBA draft, there were still a plethora of doubts surrounding this 6'9" enforcer. 

He may have been a potent college force at UNC, but Tyler Hansbrough seemingly couldn't rid himself of the constant negatives surrounding his game.

His supposed lack of NBA traits undoubtedly scared many teams away, while others were intrigued.

The Indiana Pacers took a chance on the zealous forward with the No. 13 pick in 2009.

As a solid contributor off the bench, the stealthy Hansbrough put up a noteworthy 11.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game last season.

From being a top recruit out of high school to John David Booty's backup at USC, the road for Mark Sanchez had some significant bumps before he landed in New York.

After finally becoming a starter in 2008, the Mexican-American quarterback led USC to a 12-1 record and a victory in the Rose Bowl against Penn State, before being awarded the Most Valuable Player award.

Despite his obvious inexperience, Sanchez was selected by Gang Green with the fifth overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft and named the starting quarterback prior to the start of the season.

Despite an underwhelming first year, the feisty signal-caller led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game. He then led them to their second consecutive AFC Championship Game in his sophomore year, while still performing under par.

While he did join Ben Roethlisberger as the only two quarterbacks in NFL history to reach the conference championship in their first two seasons in the league, it was his team's stout defense that intimidated opponents and forced many to question the franchise man under center.

With a career high in passer rating (83.1) and touchdowns (21) during a tumultuous 2011, it's clear Sanchez is on his way to a promising career despite doubts surrounding his affinity for the interception.

While most NBA fans are undoubtedly excited to see the former BYU star after he was drafted with the 10th overall pick of the 2011 draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and immediately traded to the Sacramento Kings, most must expect him to fail.

As the leading scorer in NCAA basketball during his senior season at BYU, 6'2" sniper Jimmer Fredette naturally garnered plenty of attention.

Despite having a sweet stroke and killer instinct, Fredette continues to battle ubiquitous doubts regarding his physicality and ability to match the pro game.

While this scrappy former infielder was recognized as the most valuable player of the 2006 World Series, he should be remembered most for being arguably the only player in the major leagues to sprint to first base following a base on balls.

As a 5'7" shortstop with an accurate, yet below-average arm, little power and few eye-popping traits, David Eckstein was undoubtedly undervalued.

However, for teams that took a chance on the feisty Eckstein, they got the heart and soul of a .280 career hitter and the quick release of a .978 career fielder at shortstop.

A two-time All-Star, two-time world champion and winner of the 2005 Heart and Hustle Award, Eckstein should certainly continue to warm the hearts of baseball diehards.

After a stellar career with Kansas State, this diamond in the rough was taken in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. 

While having Aaron Rodgers tossing pigskins to him has certainly helped his development, this unknown wide receiver seemingly came out of nowhere this year.

The 6'3" Jordy Nelson produced 1,268 yards and six touchdowns during his first three seasons, only to eclipse all expectations this season in putting up 957 yards and 10 touchdowns with three games remaining.

Teams have yet to stop him.

Most fans would naturally expect the first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy in history to become a star, especially when he's a national champion and became the first college football player to both rush and pass for 20 or more touchdowns in a single season.

For this former Gator, the road wasn't quite as smooth.

While he did lead the Southeastern Conference's all-time records in both career passing efficiency and total rushing touchdowns, Tim Tebow was seemingly seen as a college star who didn't have the mechanics to translate to the pro game.

Hesitantly drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 draft, Tebow is now beginning to attract fans with clutch play, religious celebration and zealous aggression.

From utility player to star, Jose Bautista seemingly escaped the hard-fought battle with his coaches by earning more playing time. 

With major league experience at six different positions, the Toronto Blue Jays right fielder had never produced more than 16 home runs in a season until an illustrious 2010.

Allegedly bereft of performing-enhancing drugs, the stellar Bautista set a Toronto Blue Jays single-season franchise record by hitting a MLB-leading 54 home runs, becoming the 26th member of the 50-home run club in history.

To prove skeptics wrong, Bautista led the major leagues in 2011 as well with 43 home runs, becoming the first player to earn two consecutive home run titles since Mark McGwire did it in 1998 and 1999.

In July of 2011, Bautista set the all-time major league record for the most All-Star votes received by a single player through fan balloting with 7,454,753 votes, easily surpassing the 6,069,688 set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1994.

He's seemingly beloved by more than just his loyal Toronto fans.