It’s a tale as old as time.
A college football player displays exceptional talent and propels his team to spectacular heights.
Then, that same player is drafted into the NFL and suddenly the talent vanishes and the athlete washes out of the league.
That’s what happened to Tim Tebow.
After a stellar high school career, Tebow matriculated to the University of Florida.
Under head coach Urban Meyer, Tebow guided the Gators to two national titles and became the first sophomore in history to win the Heisman Trophy.
Despite questions about his throwing mechanics and ability to be an NFL quarterback, the Denver Broncos traded up to select Tebow in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Although he had a few memorable games as a Bronco, Tebow left the Mile High City after two years and then briefly appeared on the rosters of four other teams.
5 years ago today, Tim Tebow led the Broncos to a 29-23 playoff victory against the Steelers in overtime. (via @ESPNStatsInfo) pic.twitter.com/xeKsoOQqcg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 8, 2017
Tebow’s lack of NFL success didn’t deter his belief in himself and he eventually played five years in the New York Mets organization in Major League Baseball (MLB).
This is the story of Tim Tebow.
Missionary Kid
Timothy Richard Tebow was born on August 14, 1987, in Makati, Philippines as the youngest of five children.
At the time, Tebow’s parents were missionaries in the Philippines and Tebow’s mother, Pamela, had a difficult pregnancy with Timothy.
Local doctors expected the infant would be stillborn and recommended an abortion.
The Tebows’ decided against an abortion and young Timothy was born alive and well, despite the doctors’ expectations.
In 1986, Pam Tebow, American football player Tim Tebow's mother was advised by a doctor in the Philippines to abort her child due to a Life threatening disease that she refused. In 2010, Tim established a foundation which has been serving hundreds of children with special needs. pic.twitter.com/Vd17fbQD35
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) June 28, 2022
When Tim was three, the Tebows moved to Jacksonville, Florida.
He and his older siblings were homeschooled by his parents, who believed it was their duty to teach about God, character, and academics, in that order.
“In the Constitution, [parents] have the right to direct the lives of their children,” Bob Tebow said, referencing the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the 1925 case of Pierce v. Society of Sister.
Tim Tebow had trouble with dyslexia and believes that homeschooling helped him with his learning issues.
While working to overcome his dyslexia, Tebow developed a love of sports.
As luck would have it, the state of Florida passed a law in 1996 that homeschooled students could play for their local public school teams as long as the student lived in that school’s district.
“How can we deny these people the rights when they pay taxes? That was the issue in the Florida legislature,” said Bob Tebow, who added he would have moved to where Tim could play.
The new rule would pay off for both Tebow and his new school.
Tebow Stars at Nease High School
Initially, Tebow played tight end for Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville while also being homeschooled.
Then, before his sophomore year, the Tebow’s moved to St. John’s County and to the school district of Nease High School.
Tim Tebow was All-State at Nease High School pic.twitter.com/WE0ltFj93i
— History of Sports (@BeforeFamePics) August 9, 2016
Nease didn’t have a strong program at the time, but the Panthers began to improve with Tebow under center.
During his sophomore year, his new teammates and head coach Craig Howard got a taste of how tough their new 6’3, 235-pound signal caller was.
In a game against Menendez High School, Tebow was sacked and his leg was twisted awkwardly.
Although he was injured, there was no way Tebow would sit on the sideline with his team down 17-0.
He limped back onto the field and finished the contest, even rushing for a 29-yard touchdown, which tied the game in the second half.
After the game, x-rays revealed that Tebow had played with a broken fibula and he was done for the rest of the football season.
He healed in time for his junior year and promptly set Florida high school passing records, leading to Florida Player of the Year honors.
Tebow and Nease Win a State Championship
As Tebow’s legend grew and his talent became obvious, college coaches from around the nation descended on St. John’s County.
An added benefit was the amount of exposure for Nease High School as the program played nationally televised games.
There was also a significant bump to the school’s bottom line.
“The cash registers were ringing,” Howard said. “The years before, we were every team’s homecoming game. Suddenly, Florida coach Urban Meyer and USC coach Pete Carroll were flocking to this little school. And as a result, five or six other kids got scholarships.”
Of course, with all the attention came a lot of jealousy from Nease’s opponents.
“People said we lacked sportsmanship, that we shouldn’t play a homeschool kid,” Howard said. “From coaches, parents. It was ugly.”
Tebow ignored the criticism and led the Panthers to a state title.
Was thinking about the first ESPN High School Kickoff that I can remember watching: St. Augustine Nease vs Hoover in 2005.
That game featured Tim Tebow, Jeremy Pruitt and Rush Propst. pic.twitter.com/5ei2Htuqa6
— 𝙽𝚘𝚊𝚑 𝚃𝚊𝚢𝚕𝚘𝚛 (@ByNoahTaylor) August 29, 2020
He was then named All-State, a Parade Magazine All-American, Florida’s Mr. Football, and a second Florida Player of the Year award.
Tebow was selected as one of the top high school football players in the nation and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
No Slouch on the Diamond
As great as Tebow was on the gridiron, he was extremely talented as a baseball player as well.
In his sophomore year, the Panthers baseball team won only four games.
With Tebow on board as a junior, he helped Nease to an appearance in the state tournament as one of the final four teams in Florida.
“He more or less did for me on the baseball field what he did for Coach (Craig) Howard on the football field,” Mullins said. “He was a power-hitting left-hander who had a plus arm and plus speed. He was the leader of the team with his passion, his fire and his energy. He loved to play baseball, too. He just had a bigger fire for football.”
Tebow’s stats that year included a .494 batting average with four home runs and 30 RBIs.
Tim Tebow is going to try his hand at a baseball career. Last played at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Florida! pic.twitter.com/mpJw8vwxjo
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) August 9, 2016
He was named All-County and All-State in the process.
“Everybody should know this: He wasn’t just a great football player, he was a great baseball player, too,” Tebow’s baseball coach, Greg “Boo” Mullins said. “I believe he could have played in the big leagues.”
During the District 7-4A championship game that season, Tebow hammered a home run against St. Augustine High School that is still talked about today.
“It might still be going,” said St. Augustine coach PJ Grall. “And Menendez [High, which hosted the game] is not a small park. Once a ball like that gets into orbit, it just keeps orbiting the earth. If it were a plane, it would be a two-movie flight.”
By the end of the year, it was obvious to Mullins and others that Tebow had unique baseball talent.
“He was a six-tool player,” said Mullins. “He had arm strength, he could run, he could hit, he could hit for power, he could field, but his character made him that six-tool guy.”
Tebow did not play baseball his senior year as he finished high school early to attend college.
However, Mullins and many others know that Tebow would have been drafted by MLB teams had he not been devoted to football.
“I had pro scouts calling, ‘Boo, is he going to play football or if we draft him do you think he’ll sign?’” said Mullins.
Tebow Almost Signed with Alabama?
The push to sign Tebow was felt by college coaches throughout the country.
Recently, former Florida coach Urban Meyer believed that he had lost Tebow to Alabama during the recruiting process.
“I remember, already in my mind convinced myself we lost Tim,” Meyer recalled in 2023. “And there was a junior college quarterback, I was already set with Doc Holliday, we were set to go see this player because in my mind, we lost Tim to Alabama. I’m getting on the plane with Greg Mattison… I looked at him and said ‘We’re going to be okay. I have a plan in case Tim goes to Alabama.’ I started explaining this plan, he puts his hand up, and said ‘Coach, if we lose Tim Tebow to Alabama, that will set the program back 10 years.’ I got so [mad] because I knew he was right.”
In the end, Tebow spurned ‘Bama and was excited to play football for Meyer and the University of Florida.
Tebow Wins a National Title as a Backup
Before his freshman season in 2006, Tebow enrolled early at the University of Florida to start learning Meyer’s playbook and participate in the Gators’ spring drills.
As pre-season practice concluded months later, upperclassman Chris Leak just barely beat Tebow for the starting job.
Although he didn’t start that season, Tebow received playing time in every game.
Meyer used Tebow for short-yardage runs and for mop-up duty in several games as the Gators went 11-1 during the regular season.
2006: T. Tebow 12-yd TD run vs. South Carolina
QB Tim Tebow scores from 12-yds out in thttps://t.co/ofipkUmVIy rvvv pic.twitter.com/midIllxygJ
— Aahana Singh (@delaplex2038) March 30, 2017
Against LSU on October 7, Tebow played significant minutes and ran for a score, and also passed for two more in Florida’s 23-10 win.
The Gators faced the University of Arkansas in the SEC Championship game and Tebow ran for 31 yards in the winning effort.
Then, in the national championship game against Ohio State, Tebow was responsible for 39 rushing yards and a rushing score and also threw a touchdown pass right before halftime.
Florida ended the ‘06 season 13-1 and won the BCS national championship.
Tebow had totals of 358 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, an interception, 469 rushing yards, and eight running scores.
Tebow Wins the Heisman
When the 2007 season began, Meyer named Tebow his starting quarterback.
Tebow responded by passing for three touchdowns and 300 yards against Western Kentucky in his first start.
He then blew the doors off of the competition for the remainder of the season.
55 Days: Tim Tebow was responsible for 55 TD in 2007 with @GatorsFB, most ever in the SEC. #CountdownToKickoff pic.twitter.com/mTpSqNgWpe
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 8, 2016
Against Ole Miss on September 22, Tebow set a program single-game rushing record for a quarterback when he tallied 166 yards.
During a November 10 game against South Carolina, Tebow was responsible for seven touchdowns, tying him with three others for the Gators’ single-game scoring record.
However, he did set a Gator single-game rushing record that day for scoring five times on the ground in a 51-31 victory.
Two weeks later against in-state rival Florida State, Tebow rushed for two scores, passed for three more, and was responsible for 541 yards of total offense.
Remarkably, he had fractured his hand at one point during the contest but continued playing.
By the end of the season, Florida was 9-4 and lost to the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Bowl.
Tebow had a season for the ages that included 3,286 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
He also rushed for 895 yards and a whopping 23 more touchdowns.
Tebow’s stats set an SEC record for most single-season touchdowns with 55 and he became the first FBS athlete to both pass and rush for at least 20 scores in the same season.
In addition to being named the Gators’ team MVP, and a first-team All-SEC and unanimous All-American, Tebow became the first sophomore in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy.
10 years ago today, Tim Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. pic.twitter.com/yPV53wZ2La
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 8, 2017
He also received the Davey O’Brien Award for the nation’s best quarterback.
Tebow Continues Breaking Records
Before the 2008 season began, Tebow declined an invitation to be included in Playboy Magazine’s preseason All-American Team.
Tebow explained that being a member of Playboy’s list would go against his Christian faith.
In fact, Tebow was known to wear Bible verses written onto his eye black during games (a practice that was banned by the NCAA in 2010 through the “Tebow Rule”).
You don’t need a million dollar watered down “Christian” Super Bowl ad to get the “gospel” to millions
You just need God’s word
In 2009 Tim Tebow wore eye black with John 3:16 in the national championship and it became the most googled thing in history with 90 million searches pic.twitter.com/O4zxmrvJt0
— Smash Baals (@smashbaals) February 14, 2023
The newly elected team captain then set about breaking more school records during the year.
Against Georgia on November 1, Tebow had three rushing scores that put him at 39 career rushing touchdowns.
That number passed former Gator running back Emmitt Smith who held the previous mark of 36.
By the end of the regular season, Tebow led the SEC and Florida in numerous categories including passing efficiency (172.37 yards per game, best in the conference) and total team offense (244.2 yards per contest).
The Gators defeated Alabama for the SEC championship, then took down Oklahoma for the BCS national title.
#SICoverOTD: Dec. 15, 2008 Tim Tebow leads the GATORS! to the SEC title beating Alabama, which was never heard from again pic.twitter.com/aHiYfkS8iF
— SI Vault (@si_vault) December 15, 2016
During the game, Tebow had 109 rushing yards and passed for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite his second national championship and 2,746 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, four picks, 673 rushing yards, and 12 more scores, Tebow finished third in the Heisman race.
He did win the Maxwell Award, however, and was named the Gators’ team MVP for the second straight year.
Tebow Returns for 2009
During his three years on Florida’s campus, Tebow won two national championships and a Heisman Trophy.
He had nothing left to prove at the college level but chose to return for his final year of eligibility in 2009.
During a September 26 game against Kentucky, Tebow had a scare when he was leveled by a Wildcats player.
After remaining motionless for several minutes and then later vomiting on the sideline, Tebow had to be taken to a nearby hospital for tests.
He was cleared to play two weeks later.
On Halloween night against Georgia, Tebow ran for two touchdowns, including his 51st collegiate rushing score.
Tim Tebow and Aaron Hernandez, Florida 2009 pic.twitter.com/n7xykDZVZ6
— College Teammates (@NCAATeammates) October 1, 2018
That total passed former Georgia Bulldog Herschel Walker for the SEC career rushing touchdowns record.
Florida played Alabama for the SEC Championship game but lost to the Tide, 32-13.
The Gators then faced Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl instead of playing for another national title.
During the contest, Tebow went out a winner when he had three passing touchdowns and one rushing score.
He also passed for 482 yards and had 533 yards of total offense, which set a BCS bowl record.
College Stats
Tebow ended his senior year with 2,895 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, five interceptions, a career-high 910 rushing yards, and 14 rushing scores.
He was named team MVP for the third time (a team record) and was selected as an Academic All-American, first-team All-SEC, second-team All-American, a Heisman finalist, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and Sports Illustrated’s College Football Player of the Decade.
During his Gators career, Tebow passed for 9,285 yards, 88 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 2,947 rushing yards (the most in SEC history), and 57 rushing scores.
🏆 Heisman Trophy winner
🏆 2x National Champion
🏆 3x SEC Offensive Player of the Year
🏆 AP CFB Player of the YearTim Tebow is being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PwCTR4XOr6
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 9, 2023
Additionally, Tebow left school with several Florida, SEC, and NCAA records.
They include the most total offensive yards for a Gator (12,232) as well as the most touchdowns responsible for Florida and the SEC with 57 rushing and 88 passing scores.
He also had the SEC record for most career touchdowns with 54, surpassing LSU’s Kevin Faulk.
In 2023, Tebow was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Denver Drafts Tebow
As great as Tebow was as a collegiate quarterback, an abundance of NFL talent evaluators questioned his ability as an NFL quarterback.
Offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches pointed out his funky throwing motion and the fact that Tebow ran a lot in college as more of a “Wildcat” offensive hybrid.
More often than not, NFL personnel believed that Tebow should transition to tight end in the pros.
Tebow had no intention of switching positions and told teams he only wanted to play quarterback.
Second-year Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels was a believer in Tebow and liked his ability to play the position.
Five years ago today, the Broncos selected Tim Tebow in the 1st Round of the 2010 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/H7MPAiP0HM
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) April 22, 2015
The organization traded three of their 2010 draft picks to grab Tebow with the 25th overall selection in the first round of the draft.
“The Denver Broncos are getting a winner,” Urban Meyer said. “Tim will show on the field what he is capable of doing and more than anything Tim has a competitive fire that will constantly push him to get better and do whatever he can to help his team win.”
Tebow, McDaniels said, “has all the traits you’re looking for in terms of toughness, competitiveness, he’s intelligent, he’s won a lot of games, he’s a leader, he works hard, he’s got all the intangibles you look for in a player at that position.”
The local press wanted to know if McDaniels planned to start Tebow right away.
“Our starting quarterback is Kyle Orton,” McDaniels said. “And if somebody performs better than Kyle Orton that changes. But right now it hasn’t.”
For his part, Tebow tempered expectations.
“That’s not even something I’m thinking about,” Tebow said. “What I’m thinking about is going in there and learning the offense, competing, working hard and being the first one in and last one to leave, showing them I love this and love what I do, and thank you so much for taking me and I’m not going to let you down.”
2010
Tebow spent his rookie year in the NFL backing up Orton and learning McDaniel’s complicated offense.
“I’m very young,” Tebow said. “Right now, in this offense, I’m in elementary school. I’m understanding the concepts, but now I have to get comfortable with every one. I know I’ll get them down. I know it.”
Meanwhile, Orton felt for what Tebow was going through.
“A year ago,” said Orton, “[2009 backup] Chris Simms and I were swimming the same way Tim is right now. This offense is tough. I feel great to be in the second year, knowing what I’m doing.”
Tebow and McDaniels also spent a lot of time in OTAs and practice working on Tebow’s throwing mechanics and stance.
“I spent a lot of time with [Josh McDaniels] early on, before the draft,” said Tebow. “I got to know his philosophy and really believe in it. What he was teaching made sense. The buying-in process wasn’t hard. I see how what they’re teaching me is going to make me better. The mechanics—I’m going to be thinking about them for a long time. I’ve got to make the uncomfortable comfortable, and I’ve got to hurry.”
As Denver went 4-12 in 2010, Tebow played sporadically including his first career NFL start during a Week 15 game against the Oakland Raiders.
The Broncos bullying Tim Tebow into cutting his hair like this as a rookie is still incredible pic.twitter.com/AzVEMBUsn9
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) March 1, 2022
He passed for 138 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 78 yards during the game.
That included a 40-yard touchdown scamper that was the longest touchdown run in NFL history for a quarterback in his first start.
A week later, Tebow started again and passed for 308 yards and one touchdown and ran for another score that helped him win his first NFL game, 24-23, against the Houston Texans.
In his rookie year, Tebow threw for 654 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions, and added 227 rushing yards and six more scores.
2011
Denver’s losing record in 2010 ultimately led to McDaniels’ firing after 12 games.
Former Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox took over and he made Orton the starter again for 2011.
However, after a lowly 1-3 start, Fox inserted Tebow at halftime of a Week 5 contest against the San Diego Chargers.
Tebow had a rushing and passing touchdown in the second half, but Denver still lost, 29-24.
When the Broncos came off their bye week, Fox named Tebow as his quarterback.
Tim Tebow Time was an amazing time in 2011! pic.twitter.com/MCQYjzVEj6
— Ty (@tyflyguy15) April 19, 2020
He started 11 games and his performances were a mixture of highs (five fourth-quarter comeback wins) and lows (taking six sacks against the Dolphins and seven against Detroit).
Tebow charged up the Broncos faithful with his energetic play and with his prayer stance (called “Tebowing”) in the end zone.
Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos) QB pic.twitter.com/Gv0JayP403
— American Football 画像 (@AFpicture_japan) February 14, 2014
Tebow’s frequent genuflecting and opinions toward religion made him popular with some fans but scorned by others, including opposing players.
“The role religion plays here is enormous,” said Kurt Warner, the former NFL quarterback and a similarly outspoken Christian athlete. “When somebody professes their faith, and I was that guy for a long time, people automatically think when you praise God it’s because He makes passes go straighter or helps win games. When you lose, they say, your faith doesn’t belong here. Your God’s not helping you win.”
The mini-controversy didn’t matter when the Broncos snuck into the playoffs with an 8-8 record.
As for Tebow’s second year, his stats were a modest 1,729 yards, 12 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a career-high 660 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Tebow Defeats Pittsburgh in Overtime
Denver returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2005 and hosted the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tebow’s 38.6 quarterback rating for the 2011 season didn’t scare Pittsburgh in the least and the Steelers were the heavy favorite to win.
Once the game began, Tebow didn’t bat an eye, and by halftime, he had run and passed for touchdowns on the way to staking Denver to a 20-6 lead.
The Steelers battled back and the score was eventually tied, 23-23, at the end of regulation.
Denver got the ball to start the extra period and Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator obviously thought the Broncos would run the ball.
All 11 Steelers were within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.
Tebow took the first snap of overtime, unexpectedly dropped back to pass, and found receiver Demaryius Thomas for a short pass that Thomas took 80 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
10 years ago today, Tim Tebow and Demaryius Thomas connected on this iconic play in overtime to give the Broncos a playoff victory over the Steelers 💙🧡
(via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/BCp4e7r0kg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 8, 2022
The play shocked Pittsburgh while the Broncos faithful shook the stadium in full-throated delight.
After Denver’s 29-23 win, Tebow was taken to task the following week against New England.
In the Divisional round, he was sacked five times and completed only nine passes as the Patriots advanced, 45-10.
Broncos Trade Tebow
When the 2011 season concluded, Broncos general manager, and former signal caller, John Elway told the media Tebow would be the team’s starter in 2012.
Then, on March 20, 2012, Elway and the Broncos agreed to terms with former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
That meant Tebow no longer had a place on Denver’s roster and he was traded to the New York Jets.
Then-Jets head coach Rex Ryan was excited to get someone with Tebow’s ability.
“He runs inside like a fullback, he can run the option, he can throw the ball, and run on the perimeter,” Ryan said of Tebow. “Trust me, I don’t think defensive backs want to tackle him. It’s really a unique skill set that we were really fortunate to get when you just look at it from a quarterback perspective. Just that system, that Wildcat, he’s the perfect guy for it.”
As the Jets went 6-10, Tebow started two games and passed for a lowly 39 yards and rushed for 102.
There is no greater way to celebrate Christmas than with the one and only Tim Tebow! #Jets Playing Career: 2012-2012 #RandomJets 🎄⛄️ pic.twitter.com/8pZ16jvk2F
— Random Jets Players (@RandomNYJets) December 25, 2018
After the 2012 season, New York cut Tebow.
Tebow Balances Analyst Gig by Trying to Make NFL Rosters
Before the 2013 season, New England signed Tebow, which reunited the quarterback with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Tim Tebow had high hopes for his Patriots career. pic.twitter.com/m98mesGyIT
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 28, 2016
During the preseason, Tebow was pounded mercilessly, taking numerous sacks and turning the ball over frequently.
He was released by the team at the end of training camp.
Although he wasn’t shutting the door on his NFL dream, Tebow was hired by ESPN in late 2013 as a college football analyst.
Tim Tebow's preseason stats with the Eagles:
PASS: 21-36 (58.3%), 286 Yds, 2 TD, Int
RUSH: 14 carries, 82 Yds, TD pic.twitter.com/KGlmuc7MCP— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 5, 2015
In the spring of 2015, Tebow was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles but was released once again after training camp.
Tebow Becomes a Baseball Player
With his NFL career seemingly at an end, Tebow decided to try his hand at professional baseball.
In August of 2016, he invited every MLB organization to a tryout he was hosting.
At the time, Tebow hadn’t played baseball since his junior year of high school.
The Mets have invited Tim Tebow to big league spring training camp https://t.co/g1XyQM21A4 pic.twitter.com/eMSSP9ecFJ
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) January 18, 2019
Several former coaches and Nease High School opponents told the media of his diamond bona fides.
“I never ever would underestimate his talent and his desire, and don’t forget, he has that extra person on his shoulder to help him along,” said Ted Barbato, the Nease athletic director when Tebow led Nease to a state football title as a senior.
“You always had that gut feeling of what could have been, and he’s doing it,” former high school opponent Brian Beach said. “I’ve got to give him props. Tebow doesn’t give up. You tell him to bust through that concrete, and he’ll try to bust through that concrete. He won’t take no for an answer.”
When asked why he was trying to play pro baseball after such a long time away from the game, Tebow was candid.
“Why not? Why does everything start out with a negative connotation? Unfortunately, sometimes we look at things in a negative way, rather than striving for what we want to do, and what we believe in, and lifting each other up, and building each other up,” said Tebow.
In September of 2016, the New York Mets gave Tebow an opportunity and he signed a minor league contract with the club.
Tebow Retires from Baseball
As a professional baseball player, Tebow gave it the ‘ol college try for five years.
In his first professional at-bat, Tebow belted a home run.
The next few years wouldn’t be as kind, but he did have good moments.
In 2019, Tebow reached the AAA level with the Syracuse Mets and played 77 games, batting .163 with four home runs, 19 RBIs, and 98 strikeouts.
Tim Tebow announced on Twitter that he is retiring from professional baseball. pic.twitter.com/JLTXzXWeTr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 18, 2021
After hitting his first, and only, spring training home run in 2020, Tebow retired from baseball in early 2021.
“I want to thank the Mets, [Sandy] Alderson, the fans and all my teammates for the chance to be a part of such a great organization,” Tebow said. “I loved every minute of the journey, but at this time I feel called in other directions.”
One Last Attempt in the NFL
A decade after telling teams he would not play tight end in the NFL, Tebow had an offer to play tight end in the NFL.
Urban Meyer was hired as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the two wanted to work together again.
The idea was sweet for Tebow as he would get an opportunity to play for Meyer as well as his hometown.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have released TE Tim Tebow.
The former Florida Gators, Denver Broncos and New York Jets quarterback had just one target and zero catches in his first NFL action since 2012 last Saturday. pic.twitter.com/92UMgGhwCY
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 17, 2021
However, he was transitioning to an NFL tight end, a position that Tebow had not played since his freshman year of high school.
Initially, Meyer told the press Tebow was picking up the position well.
By the end of the ‘21 preseason, the coach’s tune had changed.
“He has good hands. In his drill work, he’s great, but when you get in a competitive moment, just (because of his) lack of experience he wants to body the ball,” Meyer said. “When you get to a point where two people are going after it, you have to go get the ball. He is fighting through that a little bit, but he has the skill set to catch the ball.”
In Tebow’s preseason game appearances, he looked lost and struggled mightily in his attempts to block opponents.
Tim Tebow "blocking" … 😩pic.twitter.com/MdNe0jHFEK
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) August 15, 2021
On August 17, 2021, Meyer and the Jags cut Tebow.
During his NFL career, including his time in Denver and New York, Tebow passed for 2,422 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, and had 989 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores.
Life Without Sports
During and after his time in sports, Tebow has been seen on various television shows and he has worked with ESPN and the SEC Network.
In 2019, Tebow and his brother, Robby, executive produced Run the Race, an inspirational football movie.
He has also been involved in charities and philanthropic work, especially in his native Philippines.
In 2020, Tebow married former Miss Universe 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters.
Tim Tebow, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters announce their marriage https://t.co/HUKgEk3P1e pic.twitter.com/IYn8jZjuyf
— Chochilino (@ChochilinoNews) January 21, 2020
Then, in 2021, Liberty University awarded Tebow with an honorary Doctorate of Humanities.
References
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/urban-meyer-reveals-shocking-tim-tebow-story/ar-AA1cpA0l
https://vault.si.com/vault/2010/06/14/tim-tebow-the-making-of-a-quarterback
https://vault.si.com/vault/2017/05/15/tim-tebow-believes-do-you
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tim-tebow-retires-baseball-after-five-years-mets-n1258238
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tim-tebow-1.html
https://floridagators.com/sports/football/roster/tim-tebow/1522
https://www.espn.com/highschool/rise/football/news/story?id=3608362
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TeboTi00.htm
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/heres-everything-we-know-about-tim-tebow-the-baseball-player
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Tebow
https://nypost.com/2017/02/26/witnesses-to-his-baseball-legend-make-the-case-for-tim-tebow/
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