Franklin Graham: Tim Tebow a 'True Leader, Both On and Off the Field'

Evangelical leader Franklin Graham has spoken out in support of Christian NFL athlete Tim Tebow, calling him a "true leader both on and off the field."

Graham, who heads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said in a recent Facebook post that ahead of the upcoming NFL football season, he is most excited to watch Tebow as he starts his first season as a quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Football season is around the corner! I don't have a favorite team, but I do have favorite players that I follow. One of them is Tim Tebow," Graham wrote on Facebook late last week.

"He's not only a great quarterback who can throw and run the ball, but he's a true leader both on and off the field," Graham said. "Most importantly, Tim lives out his Christian faith at every turn."

Tebow, who was signed to the Eagles ahead of this upcoming season, has previously been outspoken about his evangelical faith.

Tebow previously said in a 2013 interview with the Memphis Flyer that he sees his athletic talent as a gift from God.

"It doesn't make you special just because you can play baseball, football, basketball—those are just gifts from God," Tebow said at the time.

"We're all blessed with different gifts but that doesn't make us more special or better. God gave us a gift and it's about how we use it for his honor and his glory," the 27-year-old athlete added.