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Tim Tebow fans rally in Jacksonville, but Moscow wants him

Tim Tebow fans want him to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. But Tim Tebow also has a $1 million offer to play two games in Russia. 

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(AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Will Dickey)
Alaysha Harris, 6, holds a sign during a rally at EverBank Field to encourage the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team to sign Tim Tebow, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Tim Tebow rally Monday started at exactly 3:16 p.m. outside EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla..

For real Tim Tebow fans, that timing will require no explanation.

It's a nod to the fact that Tebow used to paint Scripture numbers on his face in eyeblack when he played at the University of Florida. And It's a reference to one of his favorite Bible passages, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

About 40 people showed up for what is expected to be a weekly rally to get the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars to sign Tebow as their quarterback.

“This is a perfect time to bring in Tebow,’’ said group founder James Stewart, according to Jacksonville.com. Stewart started a website called jags-tebow.com, was carrying signs reading, “JAGS TEBOW, WHY NOT?’’

The Jacksonville Jaguars are struggling. The professional football team has lost the first two games of the season, and currently holds the worst record in the NFL out of the last 37 games (7-30).

And Tim Tebow is unemployed. The former Heisman Trophy winner led the Denver Broncos into the 2011-12 post-season. But the Broncos released Tebow after acquiring Peyton Manning. Tebow had a miserable season with the New York Jets, and was cut on Aug. 31 from the New England Patriots.

But the Jaguars have been fairly consistent about where they stand on Tim Tebow. The team’s general manager, David Caldwell, said in January, “I can’t imagine a scenario in which he’ll be a Jacksonville Jaguar — even if he’s released.”

Still, one can see why Jacksonville fans keep trying. Tebow was a local high school football star, and spent his successful college career at the University of Florida in Gainesville. But that was then, and this is now.

There have been reports that Tebow is getting other offers. One unnamed NFL team contacted Tebow about trying out for a position other than quarterback, but he declined, according to Sports Illustrated. Tebow has consistently said that's the position he will play.

A football team in Russia reportedly has offered Tim Tebow $1 million to play in two playoff games, reports Reuters.

"We have offered him $1 million for two games," Moscow Black Storm owner Mikhail Zaltsman told RBTH. "I talked with him personally and he wanted to go."

Zaltsman wants Tebow to fly to Moscow for the Black Storm's semi-final against the Moscow Patriots in the American Football Championship of Russia on Sept. 28 and also play in the final if they advance.

Tebow's agents reportedly are urging him to not play.

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