Somebody once chiseled on stone something about not worshipping false idols, but they never laid eyes on Tim Tebow’s chiseled abs. And because of his outright awesomeness, the University of Florida’s Athletic Association has approved the construction of a bronze statue of the Gators quarterback to be placed outside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the start of the 2011 season. They’re also building statues for two other guys – Stu Spuzzier and Donny Wuffles, or something like that. Doesn’t matter.

Private donations of approximately $550,000 will take care of the costs for all three statues that the athletic association commissioned to honor Florida’s three Heisman Trophy winners. Gators coach Urban Meyer is also petitioning for a memorial wall constructed from fine Italian marble to honor the hard work of the 29 players who have been arrested since his arrival in Gainesville. As for funding his project, Meyer said, “Oh, we’ll take care of it.”

Pass the collection plate my way, Orlando Sentinel:

Associate Athletics Director Greg McGarity said UF wanted to show its pride in having three Heisman winners – Spurrier (1966), Wuerffel (1996) and Tebow (2007).

“Construction can’t be this fall, so some time after the new year starts we can get the three honorees together,” McGarity said.

The statues for Tebow, Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel will join Florida State’s Bobby Bowden statue at Doak Campbell Stadium as the ultimate honor in college football. Bowden’s statue – a famous image of the coach extending his finger – was created and unveiled in 2004, and has been pointing in the wrong direction ever since.

Alabama will also unveil their statue for coach Nick Saban at Bryant-Denny Stadium in August, after having it commissioned in January. Saban’s statue will commemorate his first NCAA Championship victory with the Crimson Tide. Saban initially wished to have the statue unveiled at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, only to later move it to Tuscaloosa.

In 2004, then-Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor embarked on a journey of word-swapping with New York Jets fans, starting a bitter feud by calling them ignorant, making fun of their loyalty, and especially trading barbs with Jets superfan Fireman Ed. In 2009, Taylor further expressed his discontent for the Jets when he said that he’d strongly consider retirement before he ever played in green and white. But Taylor won’t let seven seasons of outspoken hatred get in the way of him begging Jets fans to love him now that he’s practicing daily in front of New York faithful.

Taylor inexplicably turned down an offer from the Dolphins, then lied about never receiving an offer from Miami, and eventually signed with his bitter rivals and Rex Ryan, who he has also openly criticized for his arrogance. For now, the Pro Bowl defensive-end-turned-linebacker is trying his best to turn boos into cheers, even staying late after practice sessions to shake hands and sign autographs for as many Jets fans as he can. You know, despite them taking the “CL out of class.”

Forgive me for my previous sins, ESPN.com:

When Taylor emerged from the tunnel for a practice attended by an announced crowd of 12,000, he braced for a negative reaction.

“This is the first time I’ve been around the fans in a big setting,” Taylor said. “The previous practices weren’t attended like this one was. Out of the tunnel, I was walking with [linebacker Bryan Thomas] and told him on the way out ‘Here come the boos. Watch.’ Sure enough, they came.

“But it makes you smile. At least they know who you are and they’re looking for you.”

Taylor’s new teammates have rallied around the veteran, saying they won’t stand for any of their teammates to be booed by their own fans. Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins led a section of fans in cheering Taylor at the team’s most recent practice, after which Jenkins made him go over and acknowledge the fans. Later, Taylor gave a note to Bart Scott to give to the pretty girl in the fourth row. Does she like him? Will she check yes or no? I can’t wait to find out!

Pleased with the reception he’s received, Taylor admits it will be nice to not be booed in New York for once. And just imagine when he plays in Miami in Week 4. It’s going to be a regular Roman orgy.

One week after the Miami Heat threw a lavish surprise birthday party with more than 200 guests for free agent forward Udonis Haslem, the Miami-Dade County (FL) commissioners voted unanimously to rename the county Miami-Wade, a tribute to the Heat’s superstar free agent Dwyane Wade. The change will occur from July 1-7, coinciding with the beginning of the NBA’s free agency, but Wade has already made it clear that he plans to stay in Miami so long as the team puts winning pieces around him. The commissioners also voted unanimously to laugh at whichever team signs Jermaine O’Neal.

The decision recalls the playful nickname that was created after Wade led the Heat to the NBA Championship in 2006. Wade has been very open over the past few days about his desire to return the Heat to the NBA Finals, and he has been actively recruiting other NBA free agent superstars not named Shaquille O’Neal to join him in Miami to make that happen.

Make a motion to accept me by acclamation, Miami Herald:

The resolution was written “in recognition of all that Dwyane Wade has done for the visibility, stature and national image” of the county.

Wade will become a free agent before July 1, which means he could leave the Miami Heat. Wade has repeatedly said he hopes to stay in Miami, but only if the Heat roster is upgraded.

The Heat have been a rumored destination for most of the current elite free agents, but mostly Amar’e Stoudemire, whose agent recently expressed the Phoenix star’s dismay over the Suns’ decision to fire GM Steve Kerr. Carlos Boozer has also declared his intent to play anywhere but Utah, and said that he’d prefer to land in Miami or Chicago. The Heat had also been long linked with Chris Bosh trade rumors, and just for fun we’ll say that Joe Johnson bought a boat and named it “The Heat Is On.”

Meanwhile, Tom Izzo and the Cleveland Cavaliers were reportedly unable to contact LeBron James directly during their entire negotiation period, of which Izzo said wasn’t a factor… so that means it was a factor. At this rate, the Cavs, Knicks, Clippers, Nets, Mavericks and Bulls will have an easier chance of signing Osama Bin Laden or Kim Jong-Il.