BENTON HARBOR — Famed football quarterback Tim Tebow has just signed on as a guest speaker of The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan, it was announced Friday by Club President Mike Cook.

Tim Tebow

Tebow will address The Club May 9. Cook said The Club would announce additional 2012-2013 speakers as their names and meeting dates become available.

Tebow came into the national spotlight in 2007 when he became the first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. That same year, he also received the Davey O’Brien Award for being the nation’s best college quarterback. His ability to execute the “wildcat offense,” an unpredictable formation that lets the quarterback be an active rushing threat, helped him set numerous records and led his University of Florida team to two NCAA national football championships.

In 2010, Tebow was a first-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos. His prowess on the field brought his team to a come-from-behind NFL playoff berth in 2011. Then in March 2012, Tebow was traded to the New York Jets.

Apart from being a champion quarterback, Tebow is renowned for his openly Christian beliefs and charity work in the USA and the Philippines. His prayerful dropping to one knee with his head resting in one hand is called “Tebowing” and it became a cultural fad in the 2011 football season. His autobiography, “Through My Eyes,” shares how he balances his passion to succeed with his faith and family values.

Tebow’s visit to The Economic Club will give fans and critics alike a chance to learn what really matters beneath the veneer of this rock-star-status quarterback.

The Economic Club meetings are open to members only. Individuals interested in becoming new members may add their names to a waiting list at www.TheEconClub.com. A limited number of new memberships will be available this year.

Current members will receive their membership renewal information for the 2012-2013 season by the end of the month. Anyone wishing more information about the club may visit the website, email infor@TheEconClub.com, or call (269) 982-6010.