Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard Tebow (born August 14, 1987) is an American former professional football quarterback and minor league baseball outfielder, renowned for his collegiate achievements at the University of Florida, where he became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and led the Gators to BCS National Championships in 2006 and 2008.[1][2][3] Drafted 25th overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2010 NFL Draft, Tebow's professional football tenure included a dramatic overtime playoff victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012, though limited passing efficiency contributed to his release after three seasons.[1][4] Transitioning to baseball in 2016, he played as an outfielder in the New York Mets' minor league system until 2021 without reaching the major leagues.[5] Tebow, an evangelical Christian born to missionary parents in the Philippines, has emphasized his faith publicly throughout his career, founding the Tim Tebow Foundation to assist vulnerable children, including those with special needs via the annual Night to Shine prom events.[6][7] Currently, he serves as a college football analyst, author of multiple New York Times bestsellers, speaker, and entrepreneur.[8]
Early Life
Family and Upbringing
Tim Tebow was born on August 14, 1987, in the Philippines to American Baptist missionaries Robert Ramsey "Bob" Tebow II and Pamela Elaine (née Pemberton) Tebow.[9][10] His parents, who met as students at the University of Florida in the late 1960s, relocated to the Philippines in 1985 for evangelistic work, including preaching, church planting, and establishing local ministry staff.[11][12] Pamela Tebow contracted amoebic dysentery during an earlier pregnancy in the Philippines, resulting in placental damage that caused dysentery to spread to her uterus and amniotic fluid; physicians advised abortion to protect her health and warned of potential defects in the fetus, but she refused based on her Christian beliefs.[13][14] Tebow was delivered via cesarean section while malnourished at approximately 7 pounds; the delivering doctor described the outcome as "the greatest miracle" he had witnessed, attributing Tebow's survival to divine intervention despite severe placental separation and infection risks.[14] As the youngest of five children—older siblings Robby, Peter, Christy, and Katie—Tebow grew up in a family committed to missionary service, residing in the Philippines until age three.[15][16] The Tebows returned to the United States in 1990, settling in Jacksonville, Florida, where Bob continued oversight of his Philippines-based ministry, the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association, focused on gospel outreach and church development.[12][17] Bob and Pamela homeschooled Tebow and his siblings, prioritizing Christian doctrine, moral discipline, and family unity over conventional schooling, which reinforced a faith-centered worldview amid their parents' emphasis on evangelism and service.[18][12] This upbringing, rooted in the family's missionary experiences and rejection of medical recommendations during Pamela's pregnancy, instilled in Tebow a strong evangelical identity from infancy.[13][14]Homeschooling and Athletic Beginnings
Tebow was born on August 14, 1987, in Makati City, Philippines, to Bob and Pam Tebow, evangelical Christian missionaries whose work included establishing a Bible college and orphanage.[19] The family relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, when Tebow was three years old, where his parents homeschooled all five siblings, having pioneered the practice in their household since 1982 to prioritize faith, character development, and individualized learning over traditional academics.[19] This educational structure provided Tebow with scheduling flexibility uncommon in conventional schooling, enabling early and rigorous physical conditioning aligned with his parents' emphasis on discipline and missionary values.[19][20] Homeschooling intersected with Tebow's athletic pursuits by allowing participation in organized sports starting at age five, where he competed in baseball, basketball, and football through local leagues and later high school teams.[19] A 1996 Florida statute permitted homeschooled students like Tebow to join public school athletic programs, facilitating his involvement despite not attending classes there.[19] Initially playing tight end at Trinity Christian Academy, a private school, Tebow switched to quarterback upon enrolling at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach as a sophomore in September 2003.[2] On his debut play from scrimmage for Nease on September 5, 2003, he threw a touchdown pass, signaling his rapid emergence as a dual-threat player capable of rushing and passing effectively.[21] Over three varsity seasons at Nease (2003–2005), Tebow amassed 9,000 passing yards, 2,500 rushing yards, and 100 total touchdowns, leading the team to a 13-2 record and the 2005 Florida Class 4A state championship while earning All-State recognition and Florida's Mr. Football award as a senior.[2][22] His homeschool regimen supported this output by accommodating daily weightlifting, conditioning, and skill drills, often exceeding 40 hours weekly, which honed his physical durability—standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing over 240 pounds by high school—and on-field versatility.[20] This foundation propelled national scouting attention, including Army All-American honors, positioning him as a top recruit despite his non-traditional academic path.[2] ![Tim Tebow as Army All-American]float-rightCollege Football Career
2006–2007 Seasons
As a true freshman in 2006, Tim Tebow backed up senior quarterback Chris Leak on the Florida Gators team that compiled a 13–1 record and secured the BCS National Championship. Appearing in all 14 games, Tebow completed 22 of 33 passes for 358 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.[23] He also rushed 89 times for 469 yards at a 5.3-yard average, scoring eight touchdowns and frequently leading the Gators in rushing during his snaps.[23] One of Tebow's early standout moments occurred on October 7, 2006, against No. 9 LSU, when he leaped and flipped a pass over defenders for a successful two-point conversion that helped Florida secure a 23–10 upset victory.[24] In the BCS National Championship Game against Ohio State on January 8, 2007, Tebow contributed offensively, including a one-yard touchdown run that extended Florida's lead in the third quarter en route to a 41–14 win.[23] In 2007, Tebow assumed the starting quarterback role as a sophomore, guiding the Gators to a 9–4 record while starting all 13 games. He threw for 3,286 yards on 234 of 350 completions (66.9 percent), with 32 touchdowns and six interceptions.[23] Tebow rushed 210 times for 895 yards at 4.3 yards per carry, scoring 23 touchdowns—a Southeastern Conference single-season record.[23] His dual-threat production marked him as the first NCAA player to account for at least 20 passing and 20 rushing touchdowns in a season.[25] Tebow's performance earned him the Heisman Trophy on December 8, 2007, making him the first sophomore winner in its history with 1,957 voting points.[2] He also received the Maxwell Award as the nation's top player and consensus All-American honors.[23] In the Outback Bowl victory over Michigan on January 1, 2008, Tebow threw for a career-high 483 yards and three touchdowns, sealing the Gators' postseason win 41–35.[23]2008–2009 Seasons
![Tim Tebow snapping the ball on October 25, 2008]float-right In the 2008 season, Tim Tebow led the Florida Gators to a 13–1 record, securing the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship and the BCS National Championship.[26] The team's sole loss came in a 31–30 upset to Ole Miss on September 27.[27] Tebow completed 192 of 298 passes for 2,746 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, achieving a 64.4% completion rate.[26] He also rushed for 673 yards on 176 carries with 12 touchdowns.[26] Key performances included three rushing touchdowns against Georgia on November 1, breaking the school record for career rushing touchdowns previously held by Errict Rhett.[25] In the SEC Championship Game against Alabama on December 6, Tebow orchestrated a comeback from a 20–13 halftime deficit, throwing for 216 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 57 yards and a score in a 31–20 victory.[28] Facing Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game on January 8, 2009, he passed for 231 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-30 attempts in a 24–14 win, earning offensive MVP honors.[25] Tebow finished third in Heisman Trophy voting.[23] The 2009 season saw Tebow guide the Gators to another 13–1 mark, winning the SEC title but finishing second nationally after the Sugar Bowl.[29] Their only defeat was a 10–7 loss to Ole Miss on October 17. Tebow threw for 2,895 yards on 213 of 314 completions (67.8%), with 21 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.[29] He rushed for 190 yards on 79 attempts and 23 touchdowns, setting a school single-season record for rushing scores by a quarterback.[25] Against South Carolina on October 10, he accounted for seven total touchdowns—three passing and four rushing—scoring 30 points in a single game, establishing a Florida record.[25] Tebow suffered a concussion during a September 26 win over Kentucky but returned the following week. In the SEC Championship against Alabama on December 5, Florida prevailed 32–13.[29] Tebow's final college game was the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati on January 1, 2010, where he completed 25 of 35 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, plus 29 rushing yards and two scores in a 51–24 rout, earning MVP recognition.[30] He placed fifth in Heisman voting.[23]Statistical Records and Awards
Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in 2007, becoming the first sophomore in NCAA history to receive the award, as well as the third winner from the University of Florida.[2][23] That year, he also claimed the Maxwell Award as the nation's top player, the Davey O'Brien Award as the premier quarterback, and the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year honor.[31][32] He repeated as Maxwell Award winner in 2008 and was a Heisman finalist in both 2008 and 2009, finishing third and fifth in voting, respectively.[23][33] Tebow earned consensus first-team All-American honors in 2007, SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2009, and the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in 2007.[3][34][25] In 2007, Tebow became the first player in NCAA history to record at least 20 passing and 20 rushing touchdowns in a single season, with 32 passing and 23 rushing scores, accounting for a Southeastern Conference and Florida single-season record of 55 total touchdowns.[25] He set five NCAA records during his career, held 14 SEC records, and owned 28 Florida records upon graduation, including the school single-game record for quarterback rushing yards (166).[2][3] Tebow's career passing efficiency rating of 170.8 ranked second in FBS history at the time.[35] Tebow's career statistics at Florida reflect his dual-threat capabilities:| Year | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 358 | 5 | 469 | 8 | 13 |
| 2007 | 3,286 | 32 | 895 | 23 | 55 |
| 2008 | 2,746 | 30 | 673 | 12 | 42 |
| 2009 | 2,895 | 21 | 910 | 14 | 35 |
| Career | 9,285 | 88 | 2,947 | 57 | 145 |
Innovations and Rule Changes
During his time at the University of Florida, Tim Tebow popularized the practice of inscribing personal messages, such as Bible verses, on his eye black strips, which drew widespread media attention and viewer engagement.[36] This culminated in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game against Oklahoma, where Tebow displayed "John 3:16" on his eye black, resulting in 94 million searches for the verse on Google during the game—far exceeding searches for the game's outcome itself.[37] [38] Tebow's high-profile use of eye black messages, alongside similar practices by players like Reggie Bush, highlighted an existing NCAA equipment regulation loophole that had not been strictly enforced, prompting formal action to eliminate personalized displays intended to convey messages to spectators.[39] [40] On April 15, 2010, the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a rule change mandating that eye black must be solid black with no words, numbers, logos, or symbols, effective for the 2010 season; violations would be treated as unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.[41] [42] Media outlets commonly referred to this as the "Tim Tebow Rule," though the NCAA emphasized it addressed broader compliance issues rather than targeting any individual player.[37] [43] Tebow's dual-threat quarterback style, combining precise passing with elite rushing ability (including 57 rushing touchdowns over his college career), influenced offensive schemes but did not directly spur NCAA rule alterations; instead, it exemplified adaptations within existing frameworks, such as the spread option offense popularized under coach Urban Meyer.[39] No other verified innovations or rule changes in college football stemmed specifically from Tebow's on-field techniques or preparations during his Gators tenure.[44]Professional Football Career
2010 NFL Draft and Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos selected Tim Tebow with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft on April 22, 2010.[45] To acquire this selection from the Baltimore Ravens, the Broncos traded their second-round pick (37th overall), third-round pick (70th overall), and fourth-round pick (108th overall).[45][46] Head coach Josh McDaniels, who had advocated for drafting Tebow, viewed him as possessing elite traits despite concerns over his unconventional throwing motion and projected accuracy issues at the professional level.[47][48] Tebow's draft position drew widespread skepticism from NFL scouts and analysts, who ranked him lower due to mechanical flaws in his delivery that hindered quick releases and consistency, even as his college production and leadership qualities were acknowledged.[48][49] McDaniels expressed confidence in refining Tebow's skills during the offseason, emphasizing his work ethic and football intelligence.[50] The selection sparked immediate fan enthusiasm in Denver, amplified by Tebow's high profile from his University of Florida tenure, though it was criticized as a high-risk move given the cost in draft capital and the presence of more conventional quarterback prospects like Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy selected earlier.[51][49] During his 2010 rookie season, Tebow served as the backup to starter Kyle Orton and saw limited action in nine games without starting, primarily in wildcat formations or short-yardage situations.[1] He completed 2 of 8 pass attempts for 39 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, while rushing 9 times for 28 yards.[1][52] His most notable contribution came on December 19, 2010, against the Oakland Raiders, where he had a 40-yard rush, though the Broncos lost 39-23.[53] The team finished 4-12, leading to McDaniels' firing on November 8, 2010, after a 3-9 start, with interim coach Eric Studesville opting not to elevate Tebow to the starting role.[54] Tebow's minimal statistical output reflected the Broncos' reluctance to disrupt the offense amid ongoing struggles, prioritizing Orton's experience despite the team's poor performance.[52]2011 Broncos Playoff Run
After starting the 2011 season with a 1–4 record under quarterback Kyle Orton, the Denver Broncos named Tim Tebow the starter on October 11, 2011, for their Week 7 game against the Miami Dolphins following a bye week.[55] Tebow's first start on October 23, 2011, resulted in an 18–15 overtime win, capped by his 1-yard touchdown run.[56] Despite a 45–10 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 8, Tebow compiled a 7–4 record in his 11 starts, propelling the Broncos to an 8–8 finish and the AFC West title—their first division crown since 2005—amid weak divisional competition from the San Diego Chargers (8–8 but tiebreaker loss), Oakland Raiders (8–8 but eliminated earlier), and Kansas City Chiefs (7–9).[57][58] Tebow's starts featured multiple fourth-quarter comebacks, including a 17–13 win over the New York Jets on November 17 (down 10–0 entering the fourth), a 16–13 overtime victory against the San Diego Chargers on December 11 (down 10–0 at halftime), and a 13–10 road win versus the Chicago Bears on December 11 (trailing 10–0 until the final 3:33).[59] The Broncos' defense contributed significantly, generating 30 takeaways during Tebow's starts—leading the NFL in that span—and providing short fields for several scoring drives.[60] Tebow's regular-season stats as starter included 1,729 passing yards on 172 of 271 completions (62.5% rate but low 46.5% adjusted for drops), 12 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, plus 660 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns on 122 carries, underscoring a run-heavy offense under coordinator Mike McCoy.[1] In the AFC Wild Card playoff game on January 8, 2012, at Sports Authority Field, the Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 29–23 in overtime. Tebow passed for 316 yards on 10 of 21 attempts with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions, including an 80-yard strike to Demaryius Thomas on the first snap of overtime—the longest overtime touchdown in NFL postseason history and ending the game in 11 seconds, the quickest playoff OT period ever.[61] The victory extended Tebow's personal win streak to eight games (including regular season), fueled by Denver's defense forcing two Ben Roethlisberger interceptions and limiting Pittsburgh to 23 points despite their 12–4 regular-season record.[62] The run concluded in the divisional round on January 14, 2012, at Gillette Stadium, where the New England Patriots routed the Broncos 45–10. Tebow completed 7 of 14 passes for 125 yards with 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while rushing 6 times for 31 yards; New England's defense sacked him 4 times, and Tom Brady threw for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns in a dominant performance.[63] Overall, Tebow's 2011 playoff stats showed 17 of 35 completions for 441 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions across two games.[56]Subsequent Teams and Career End
On March 21, 2012, the Denver Broncos traded Tebow to the New York Jets in exchange for a fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. With the Jets, Tebow served primarily as a backup to Mark Sanchez and was utilized in wildcat formations and special packages, appearing in 12 games without a start during the 2012 season.[1] He completed 6 of 8 pass attempts for 39 yards, rushed 32 times for 102 yards, and did not record a touchdown.[1] The Jets released Tebow on April 29, 2013, amid ongoing questions about his quarterback mechanics and fit in a traditional passing offense.[64] Tebow signed with the New England Patriots on June 10, 2013, on a two-year contract worth up to $2.3 million, including a base salary of $630,000 for 2013.[65][66] In the preseason, he completed 11 of 30 passes for 145 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while rushing for 83 yards on 11 carries.[67] Despite flashes, including 6 completions for 91 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants on August 29, 2013, Tebow was released by the Patriots on August 31, 2013, as the team prioritized other quarterbacks.[68][69] After a period without an NFL roster spot, Tebow signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on April 20, 2015, for a base salary of $660,000 with no guaranteed money.[70][71] Under coach Chip Kelly, Tebow worked to refine his passing mechanics during the offseason and preseason, completing 21 of 50 passes for 249 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions across four games.[72] He showed improvement in accuracy but struggled with consistency and decision-making.[73] The Eagles released him on September 5, 2015, deeming him insufficient as the third-string quarterback behind Sam Bradford and Matt Barkley.[72][74] Tebow did not secure another NFL contract as a quarterback following his Eagles release, effectively concluding his pursuits in that role, though he briefly returned in 2021 with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a tight end experiment. Signed on May 11, 2021, he recorded 4 catches for 36 yards in the preseason before being waived on August 17, 2021.[75] This marked the end of Tebow's professional football career, as no further opportunities materialized despite his public profile and prior collegiate success.[76]NFL Statistics and Analysis
Tim Tebow appeared in 35 regular-season games over three NFL seasons, starting 16, with the Denver Broncos posting an 8-6 record in those starts.[1] His career passing totals included 2,422 yards on 173 completions out of 361 attempts (47.9% completion percentage), 17 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, and a 75.3 passer rating.[1] Tebow also rushed for 989 yards and 12 touchdowns, showcasing exceptional mobility for a quarterback that contributed significantly to his team's success in low-scoring games.[1] In the playoffs, Tebow started both games the Broncos played following the 2011 season, going 1-1 with 452 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions (40.4% completion), a 90.0 rating, plus 63 rushing yards and 1 touchdown.[1] Advanced metrics highlight inefficiencies in his aerial attack, with an adjusted net yards per attempt (ANY/A) of 5.63, below contemporary league averages around 6.0-6.5, indicating limited per-play passing value.[1] Tebow's 2011 season epitomized his NFL tenure: starting 11 of Denver's final 12 regular-season games for a 7-4 mark, including five fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives, often via rushing or short-yardage conversions rather than sustained passing.[1] However, his low completion rate and reliance on deep attempts (23.2% of throws 20+ yards) exposed mechanical flaws, such as a prolonged release and unorthodox motion, hindering quick decisions and accuracy under pressure.[77] Analysts noted that while Tebow generated clutch plays—outperforming expected points in critical moments—his overall efficiency lagged, with positive plays clustered late but earlier drives yielding fewer expected points than predecessors like Kyle Orton.[78] Causal factors in Tebow's limited passing success stemmed from college-option roots ill-suited to NFL pro-style offenses, where pocket presence and rapid processing dominate; his 4.71-second 40-yard dash offered adequate but not elite mobility, and arm strength critiques persisted despite screen-game proficiency (57.7% completion).[79] Tebow's wins correlated more with defensive stops and opportunistic rushing than passing dominance, rendering his archetype unsustainable as NFL schemes prioritized accurate, high-volume throwers; post-2011 trades yielded minimal snaps, underscoring evaluators' skepticism of his QB viability.[53] Empirical data confirms subpar passing metrics relative to peers, with a career rank placing him below average among qualifiers, though his rushing TDs (12 in 16 starts) ranked highly for the position.[1]Baseball Career Attempt
Initial Interest and Mets Signing
Following unsuccessful stints with several NFL teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, Tim Tebow announced on August 9, 2016, that he was actively pursuing a professional baseball career, leveraging his experience as an outfielder during his freshman year at the University of Florida in 2006, where he hit .215 with three home runs in 242 plate appearances.[80] He informed his employer, ESPN, of the pursuit while planning to continue broadcasting duties temporarily, and invited all 30 MLB teams to a private workout scheduled for August 30, 2016, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, an event he had prepared for over the prior year with coaching from former MLB players like Gary Sheffield.[80] [81] Approximately 20 MLB teams sent scouts to the workout, including the Red Sox, Brewers, Cardinals, Twins, Rays, Angels, and Phillies, demonstrating widespread initial interest in Tebow's raw athleticism despite his 11-year hiatus from competitive baseball since high school.[82] [83] The Atlanta Braves publicly confirmed their interest shortly before the Mets' move, with general manager John Coppolella stating there was "no risk" in signing Tebow given the low financial commitment and potential upside from his physical tools, such as exit velocities exceeding 100 mph observed in batting practice.[84] On September 8, 2016, the New York Mets signed the 29-year-old Tebow to a minor league contract with a $100,000 signing bonus, assigning him to their instructional league program in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he began workouts on September 19.[85] [86] [87] Mets general manager Sandy Alderson initially defended the signing as a "baseball decision" based on Tebow's power potential and work ethic, responding to critics with "Why not?" while acknowledging private player concerns over Tebow's planned absences for non-baseball commitments.[88] [89] In July 2017, Alderson clarified that marketing value and Tebow's "celebrity element"—likened to a "Barnum and Bailey" draw—played a significant role alongside his on-field attributes, with the listed scouting contact being a merchandising director rather than a traditional evaluator.[90] [91] This admission underscored skepticism from baseball analysts, who highlighted Tebow's age, swing inconsistencies, and lack of recent plate discipline as barriers to major league viability, though the low-cost deal posed minimal downside for the organization.[92]Minor League Performance
Tebow's minor league career with the New York Mets organization spanned from 2016 to 2019, beginning with limited action in the Gulf Coast League Mets before progressing through full seasons at various levels. In 2017, he split time between the Single-A Columbia Fireflies and High-A St. Lucie Mets, compiling a .226 batting average over 126 games with 8 home runs and 52 RBIs, while striking out 126 times in 430 at-bats.[93] His performance showed modest power but highlighted challenges with contact, as evidenced by the high strikeout rate.[94] Promoted to Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies in 2018, Tebow experienced his most successful minor league season, batting .273 with 6 home runs and 36 RBIs in 84 games, alongside 103 strikeouts in 271 at-bats. This improvement in average and slugging (.399) demonstrated adaptation to higher competition, though plate discipline remained an area of struggle. In 2019, he advanced to Triple-A Syracuse Mets, where his performance declined sharply to a .163 average, 4 home runs, and 19 RBIs in 77 games, with 98 strikeouts in 239 at-bats; his season ended prematurely due to a hand injury on July 21.[93]| Year | Team (Level) | G | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | RBI | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Columbia (A) / St. Lucie (A+) | 126 | 430 | .226 | .309 | .347 | 8 | 52 | 126 |
| 2018 | Binghamton (AA) | 84 | 271 | .273 | .336 | .399 | 6 | 36 | 103 |
| 2019 | Syracuse (AAA) | 77 | 239 | .163 | .240 | .255 | 4 | 19 | 98 |