Evangelist Pat Robertson attends a visit by Pope Benedict XVI at an Ecumenical Prayer Service at the Church of Saint Joseph in New York
Evangelist Pat Robertson attends a visit by Pope Benedict XVI at an Ecumenical Prayer Service at the Church of Saint Joseph in New York Reuters

Many of Tim Tebow's supporters feel he has been treated unfairly since Peyton Manning was released by the Colts.

The Broncos signed an aging quarterback to take away Tebow's starting job, just two months after he led Denver to an AFC West title and a playoff win. Soon after, they shipped Tebow off to New York, where he will serve as a backup.

Televangelist Pat Robertson is one such supporter, and he thinks the Broncos, as well as Peyton Manning, should pay the price.

On Thursday night's The 700 Club, Robertson said Tebow was treated unfairly by the Broncos.

The Denver Broncos treated him shabbily. He won seven games. He brought them into the playoffs, for heaven's sakes. I mean, they were a nothing team. He rallied them together with spectacular last minute passes.

Robertson even went so far as to say that Manning deserves to be hurt because of the way Tebow was treated.

And you just ask yourself, OK, so Peyton Manning was a tremendous MVP quarterback, but he's been injured. If that injury comes back, Denver will find itself without a quarterback. And in my opinion, it would serve them right.

Manning has had four neck surgeries and missed all of last season with a neck injury.

This isn't the first time Robertson has defended Tebow. Robertson criticized Saturday Night Live in December for a skit it aired that poked fun at the quarterback and his strong religious beliefs.

After the Broncos officially signed Manning earlier in the week, they explored trade options for Tebow. Robertson may not like the way Denver handled the situation, but they did try to accommodate Tebow.

Broncos Executive Vice President John Elway told ESPN Radio in Denver that the team sent Tebow to the Jets because that's where he wanted to go.

There was more from Jacksonville, but I think that we looked at it and it was close enough, and we were in contact with Tim throughout the day, and talked to him. He knew what was going on the whole time. The reports that he was not involved are not accurate.

Tebow won't officially become a Jet until the weekend. An issue with his contract has precluded the trade from being finalized until 4 p.m. ET Saturday.

Here is the video of Robertson's comments, via mediaite.com:

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