Stopping Tebow not easy

In many ways, Tim Tebow seems too good to be true.

Already hailed as one of the best college football players ever, the deeply religious Florida Gators quarterback has been equally impressive off the field, where in the past he has worked in an orphanage and performed missionary work overseas.

Recently, however, outside forces have apparently conspired to cut Tebow down to size. "Tim Treebow," "Tebow Turtle" and a brand of women's underwear called "TeeBows" have each threatened Tebow's NCAA eligibility.

"Tim Treebow" is a 7-foot-1-inch-tall chain-saw sculpture of Tebow that was carved out of a dead oak and has been displayed in front of Ballyhoo Grill in Gainesville, Fla., since January.

The bar's owner, Chris Fragale, received a cease-and-desist letter last week from the University of Florida's NCAA compliance staff that noted any depiction of a college athlete used to promote a commercial product is against NCAA rules.

To comply with the rule, Fragale changed "Treebow's" No. 15 to No. 7, the jersey number worn by Gators wideout Justin Williams. The NCAA apparently doesn't have a problem with a depiction of a Florida player not named Tebow.

In April, Samantha Smith received a cease-and-desist order as well for selling TeeBows, women's thong underwear shaped like a 'T,' with a bow in front.

Organizers of the nonprofit Turtle Trails fundraising project received the same letter for their "Tebow Turtle," a life-sized sculpture that will be auctioned Oct. 3 for charity.

The sculpture is now named "Touchdown Turtle" and is adorned with No. 1, which is worn by Gators cornerback Janoris Jenkins, instead of 15.

The sale of the sculpture will benefit the Child Guidance Center, an organization that provides professional mental health services to children and families.

Sounds like the NCAA could use some professional help as well.

• OCHOCINCO LEAP -- If Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco scores a touchdown in Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, he promises to take a "Lambeau Leap" into the stands.

"I'm looking for Cheeseheads to embrace 'Ocho'," he said in a conference call with Packers reporters. "I'm no harm. It's all fun; it's all entertainment.

"It's really a challenge from myself for that defense and that secondary to stop me from doing what I'm coming here to do, and that's to do everything I can to give us a 'W.' "

Considering he scored only four touchdowns last season, Ochocinco should probably focus his energy more on actually reaching the end zone than on his celebration plans.

• BIG BEN CHIMES IN -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger laughed off a question by a reporter this week about Pittsburgh's poor running game, which produced only 36 yards on 23 carries in a season-opening 13-10 overtime win over Tennessee.

"You guys, the media all over the country say if we throw the ball 25 times a game, we can't win. So we quietly laugh at you guys, more than usual," Roethlisberger said. "We laugh at you guys blatantly."

COMPILED BY TODD DEWEY LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL