Analog
Lifer
DENVER This is the story of three sports-loving Muslim brothers and how they boosted the career of the NFLs most famous Christian.
The Suleimans - Tariq, Ali and Mohammad - are responsible for the Sign, the towering electronic billboard that captured national attention when it began running messages in September urging the Denver Broncos to start Tim Tebow as quarterback.
It worked. It just goes to show you, said Mohammad, when Muslims and Christians get together, miracles can happen.
Now the talk of professional football and a pop-culture phenomenon for his unorthodox style, onfield heroics and highly visible Christian faith, Tebow just three months ago was stuck on the sidelines as his teams backup quarterback. He hadnt started a game this season, and there was no guarantee his number would be called, even though Broncos fans had been clamoring to see him play.
That included 26-year-old Mohammad Suleiman. He had heard about campaigns to raise money to erect a Play Tebow billboard in Denver. At that point, those efforts had fallen short, but Mohammad had access to something other fans didnt: a really big sign.
As employees at Multiline International Imports, Mohammad and his brothers regularly posted digital messages advertising the stores sales and specials. After the Broncos started the season by losing two of the first three games, Mohammad decided it was time to run an entirely different message.
