Tim Tebow was greeted by 26,000 people as he took stage at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium on Father's Day to give a sermon.

The New York Jets quarterback spoke on faith, film and his relationship with his father, Bob. Titled "Father's Day 2012: Encouraging Men To Live, Love & Lead," the free and public service for Shadow Mountain Community Church was filled with cheers for the Christian athlete as he and Pastor David Jeremiah spoke for more than the scheduled 50 minutes.

Like Us on Facebook

"It feels really good to get an applause in this stadium," said Tebow, who styled up in a pink striped shirt, tan slacks and loafers for the special event.
"It's never happened before."

Tebow described his father as a role model who instilled lifelong values in Tebow using the movie Braveheart and Mel Gibson's depiction of William Wallace as a learning tool, according to USA Today.

"It had the biggest impact on my life because every time I would go to practice from then on out, I would think of what my father said to me: 'Do I really love what I'm doing? Am I passionate about it? And am I willing to sacrifice more than anybody else?' " said Tebow, referring to Braveheart.

"For me, it was about watching my dad. Because he could say whatever he wanted, but I watched him – how he acted, how he treated my mom, how he treated my four siblings, and that's where I learned the most from my dad is because it wasn't about what he said, it was about what he did," said Tebow.

It is frustrating to see so many famous athletes but few good examples today, according to Tebow.
"If we would come together and be great role models, it would be amazing to see how the next generation turns out," said Tebow.

To Pastor Jeremiah's question about what he thought of the saying that "If you are a Christian and you are a man, you can't really be a man," Tebow responded saying that he began believing in Jesus as a young boy, and was competitive from an early age, according to The Christian Post.

Tebow encouraged the congregation to "get in the game" by becoming active Christians.
"I encourage you men to get in the game and finish strong, finish strong for your family, your wife and your sons and daughters," said the 24-year-old quarterback.

Though the world looks at him as a football player who's a Christian, "I look at the world and say, 'I'm a Christian who happens to play football," said Tebow.

"If I know that without a shadow of a doubt that I'm going to spend eternity in heaven with my Heavenly Father, then there's not a better Father's Day than that," Tebow added.

In the sky above the stadium, a plane flew pulling a banner that read, "Happy Father's Day" and "John 3:16."