Tim Tebow Mania is Upon Us

You want to know how good Tim Tebow is? He’s already shattered an NFL mark without even suiting up.

The league confirmed on Tuesday that it sold a record number of Tebow’s No. 15  Denver Broncos jerseys during 2010 NFL Draft Weekend, significantly more than previous rookie record-holder Mark Sanchez (2009), Reggie Bush and Vince Young (both from the class of 2006).

“It’s a pretty substantial difference between him and the next guy,” NFL spokeswoman Joanna Hunter told Bloomberg News. “He’s off to a strong start.”

That point is not easily lost on collectors, who’ve been busy lending cash and credence to this burgeoning frenzy known as Tebow Mania. In the last 15 days, 81 Tebow Press Pass certified autograph trading cards — ranging in quantity from only 1 to 250 — have generated $9,010.54 in sales on eBay, an average price of $111.24.

That includes the heavily inscribed “God Bless” version that sold for $360 and the more than 41 different examples that sold for $100 or more. That doesn’t include the green-foil version limited to 25 copies that’s sitting right now at $630 with almost two full days left to bid.

If at all possible, we’ll check back in on that one when it closes. But we can make no promises. After all, this thing could be full-blown hysteria by then.

Tracy Hackler is the editorial director for Beckett Media. Have a comment or question? Send an e-mail to him at thackler@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.