Back in my day, they used to just call it praying.

In only two years, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has managed to be one of the country’s most beloved sports figures. This puts him up there among the ranks of Tiger Woods, who did it in three years, Lebron James, even more, and at one time Kobe Bryant, in about 10 years.

Along with a book deal, major-brand sponsorships and the rest of the trimmings of an NFL marquee player — and that’s all prior to his official position as the Broncos’ starter — Tebow’s biggest contribution to pop culture of the 2010’s could arguably be Tebowing.

Now let me clarify my thoughts on this. I feel Tebow is genuine in his payment of respect to his higher deity. However, I think it’s his fans, and now the rest of the world, who have made the act of kneeling and bowing one’s head to pay said respect regardless of what other people are doing around you a joke.

In fact, a Denver native named Jared Kleinstin saw the opportunity Tebowing presented and decided to capitalize on it. Thus, a new website, Tebowing.com, was born. It’s a site where people post photos of themselves or others Tebowing in different, random places.

I visited the site and there are photos of people Tebowing at Machu Picchu, during wedding-party photos at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, a marching band working it into their routine, and there’s even a shot of a baby Tebowing in an ultrasound capture.

From the time Tebowing began to gain momentum, I stayed quiet about it. It annoyed me that people would trivialize a football player’s “moment” with his god while on the field, but I remained quiet regardless.

At first, I thought people were simply following his example to help find their own spiritual or motivational center. Maybe that’s even how it began.

Now, however, Tebowing has become a joke. There is even Tebowing “gear” available, like T-shirts. It’s stupid. Just because this quarterback prays in public, why has copying him become such an epidemic?

I’ve seen bullriders do the same thing in practically the same pose long before Tebow was even recruited for collegiate play. No one copied the prayer image of these rodeo athletes, at least not to the mass hysteria Tebowing has almost become.

What made me finally share my disdain for Tebowing? Recently, my soon-to-be nephew — meaning I’m getting married in April — was born just after Christmas. The boy isn’t even a week old, and my future sister-in-law snapped a photo of him while he was asleep.

And of course, the kid was Tebowing in his sleep. It’s invaded the walls of my family now.

Tebowing isn’t going away any time soon. I realize that. I’m just hoping it eventually loses its luster, at least in Colorado, much like the Mile High Salute from the Broncos’ two Super Bowl-championship seasons.

My last comment on the subject before I never bring it up again would be, if you’re going to take a photo of yourself Tebowing somewhere, make sure you get it accurate. Tebowing.com has a photo of a guy doing it on a mountain top, except the guy has his fist to his chin instead of his forehead. Your fist goes to your forehead in order to humble yourself before the almighty.

With his fist pressed to his chin, this mountain-top genius from the website looks like he’s doing an impersonation of sculptor August Rodin’s notorious “The Thinker.” Way to climb thousands of feet just to screw up a joke, guy.

My only hope at this point is Camp Tebow doesn’t decide to try and make Tebowing a registered trademark. My opinion of the young quarterback will fall to nothing if that happens.