National Football League

Wrestler Austin gives blessing to Tebow?

Published Jan. 10, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Wrestling legend "Stone Cold" Steve Austin said he will hand over ownership of "3:16" to Tim Tebow without so much as a forehand chop if the Denver Broncos quarterback can repeat last weekend's heroics when he faces the New England Patriots.

Tebow made a grand claim on the Biblical digits after passing for 316 yards in the stunning overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers and setting an NFL playoff record with 31.6 yards per completion.

The performance recalled the "John 3:16" that the devout Christian wore as eye black during his college career, painted in tribute to one of his, and many other believers', favorite Bible verses.

The passage reads, according to the New American Standard Bible, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Stone Cold went a different route during his WWE prime, establishing "Austin 3:16" to humiliate his foes with an invented verse.

But Austin said he will surrender sporting ownership of the numbers if Tebow throws big at Gillette Stadium in the AFC divisional game Saturday night.

"Austin 3:16 still rules," the wrestler told TMZ, but added, "If Tebow can throw for 316 yards again this weekend, then hell, he can have the numbers, and I'll have no problem with it. A guy named John was using it before me . . . so if Tebow can do it again, more power to him!"

Austin said he wished Tebow "all the luck in the world" after being impressed with the young quarterback on and off the field. "I'm not a Denver fan, but Tim's a great role model for kids," he added.