Tag: Tim Tebow

Three Gators ranked among top-80 college QBs of 2000s

The Florida Gators have seen rostered a few elite quarterbacks over the past two and a half decades, and three made ESPN’s top-80 list.

The University of Florida has been home to many great signal callers, and three former Gators were named on ESPN’s top-80 quarterbacks of the 2000s list on Tuesday.

The list features [autotag]Kyle Trask[/autotag] at No. 52, [autotag]Rex Grossman[/autotag] at No. 34 and, of course, [autotag]Tim Tebow[/autotag] at No. 4. Some might include Cam Newton since he is a former Gator, but he checks in at No. 2 for what he did at Auburn, not in Gainesville.

“In 2006, Tebow served as short-yardage back and scary red zone passing option as Florida won the national title. In 2007, he posted 4,181 combined rushing and passing yards and won the Heisman,” ESPN staff writer Bill Connelly said.

“In 2008, he gave an immortal speech and led the Gators to a 13-1 record and second title. In 2009, he led the Gators to another 13-1 record, posted 3,805 rushing and passing yards and finished in the Heisman top five for a third straight year.

“It’s almost impossible to put together a career more complete than that.”

Trask is the most recent Gator to crack the list. He made it to Gainesville as a two-star backup and delivered over 7,000 passing yards across 22 games after taking over the starting spot.

Grossman could have been higher on this list, but he lost the 2001 Heisman vote by 62 points and lost the BCS national championship game by two points. So close.

For those wondering, Oklahoma‘s Baker Mayfield finished at No. 1 on the list. Vince Young (Texas) finished third, ahead of Tebow.

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WWE president Nick Khan reveals Tim Tebow nearly fought at Wrestlemania after Patriots release

How Tim Tebow vs. The Big Show at Wrestlemania almost became a real thing

Tim Tebow competing at Wrestlemania was almost a thing, according to Nick Khan.

On Tuesday, Khan was a guest on “The Pat McAfee Show,” and he talked about his rise to power from a sports agent to the president of World Wrestling Entertainment.

It all started with a phone call from Paul Levesque, who is widely known by his stage name “Triple H”. According to Khan, Levesque gave him a call following Tebow’s release from the New England Patriots and inquired about a WWE opportunity.

The WWE was considering doing a matchup between Tebow and Paul Wight, who is known by pro wrestling fans as “The Big Show”.

“When I was an agent in my prior profession and I was trying to get into the WWE business, Paul had called me, unsolicited call,” said Khan. “And this is when Tim Tebow had just gotten cut by the Patriots, Paul called me and said, ‘Hey, I just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Paul Leveque. And I said, ‘Yeah, Triple H, I know who you are. I remember you as Terra Ryzing,’ his former wrestling name from WCW [World Championship Wrestling].’

“He said, ‘What do you think of Tim Tebow against The Big Show at whatever that Wrestlemania was after the Patriots run. I said, ‘Well, what are you thinking?’ He offered some financial terms. I called Tim at the time, ‘What do you think?’ Tim and I had then a top secret, private meeting—Tim Tebow, myself, Vince McMahon, Triple H in Anaheim, California about that. Ultimately, it didn’t happen.”

Tebow was cut by the Patriots in August 2013, which means the Wrestlemania event Khan is likely referring to is Wrestlemania XXX. That was the same event that Brock Lesnar ended The Undertaker’s legendary 21-match Wrestlemania winning streak.

It’s pretty surreal to think Tebow could have been on that historic card as well in a one-on-one matchup with the seven-foot, 383-pound Big Show.

Meanwhile, the initial phone call with Triple H created the link Khan needed to ultimately make the transition to one of the primary figureheads in the most recognized professional wrestling brand in the world.

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Bill Belichick opened his Patriots announcement with a Tim Tebow joke and NFL fans actually liked it

Coach has a career in stand-up comedy waiting for him.

For the entirety of his Hall of Fame career with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick was known for his monotonous press conferences devoid of any personality. Of course, he left it to his final media appearance with the Patriots to show a lighter side of himself.

Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke to the media on Thursday to announce the team’s “mutual” parting ways with the six-time Super Bowl winner. Now, everyone knew that Belichick’s press conference antics were a strategic act. He’s capable of telling jokes and speaking at a normal volume — in-game and locker room footage proved that numerous times.

But hey, we gotta give Belichick some credit here: He knew to open this media appearance with a joke.

Tim Tebow — who spent one preseason with the Patriots before his release in 2013 — kind of caught a stray with the joke. But Belichick was mostly poking fun at all the media attention Tebow drew as a fringe backup option and reminiscing on old times.

Fans also thought it was great that Belichick showed a sense of humor there. That comedy career is waiting for him.

Gators legend Tim Tebow joins College Football Hall of Fame

On Tuesday, legendary Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Legendary University of Florida quarterback [autotag]Tim Tebow[/autotag] was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Tuesday night during the 65th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas.

“It means a lot not just for the accolade—which it’s humbling to be in the hall of fame, but it also represents the incredible young men that I got to play with because the special thing about football is that it’s never just about you,” Tebow said.

“It is about the band of brothers that you get to play with, train with, work with, sweat with, create a vision and a goal and strive for that. I wouldn’t be here without their talent, their hard posture, their skillset, and also the relationships, the camaraderie and the brotherhood. It means a lot to me for that and it also means a lot to me for the coaches that I got to play for.”

Tebow is the 13th Gator and 10th Florida player inducted into the Hall of Fame. He joins Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel as the third UF quarterback inducted and is the first member of the 2007 and 2009 BCS National Championship teams to receive the honor.

The football team honored Tebow on the field during the regular-season finale against Florida State.

The 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class includes:

  • Eric Berry – DB, Tennessee (2007-09)
  • Michael Bishop – QB, Kansas State (1997-98)
  • Reggie Bush – RB, Southern California (2003-05)
  • Dwight Freeney – DE, Syracuse (1998-2001)
  • Robert Gallery – OT, Iowa (2000-03)
  • LaMichael James – RB, Oregon (2009-11)
  • Derrick Johnson – LB, Texas (2001-04)
  • Bill Kollar – DT, Montana State (1971-73)
  • Luke Kuechly – LB, Boston College (2009-11)
  • Jeremy Maclin – WR/KR, Missouri (2007-08)
  • Terance Mathis – WR, New Mexico (1985-87, 1989)
  • Bryant McKinnie – OT, Miami [FL] (2000-01)
  • Corey Moore – DL, Virginia Tech (1997-99)
  • Michael Stonebreaker – LB, Notre Dame (1986, 1988, 1990)
  • Tim Tebow – QB, Florida (2006-09)
  • Troy Vincent – DB, Wisconsin (1988-91)
  • Brian Westbrook – RB, Villanova (1997-98, 2000-01)
  • DeAngelo Williams – RB, Memphis (2002-05)
  • Coach Monte Cater – 275-117-2 (70.1%); Lakeland [WI] (1981-86), Shepherd [WV] (1987-2017)
  • Coach Paul Johnson – 189-99-0 (65.6%); Georgia Southern (1997-2001), Navy (2002-07), Georgia Tech (2008-18)
  • Coach Roy Kramer – 83-32-2 (71.8%); Central Michigan (1967-77)
  • Coach Mark Richt – 171-64-0 (72.8%); Georgia (2001-15), Miami [FL] (2016-18)

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Former Broncos Bill Kollar and Tim Tebow inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

Congrats to former Broncos DL coach Bill Kollar and former quarterback Tim Tebow for being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame!

Former Denver Broncos coach Bill Kollar and former quarterback Tim Tebow were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday. The two were first elected to the Hall of Fame in January.

Tebow was a college standout at the University of Florida, where he was a member of two national championship-winning teams, in 2007 and 2009. He was drafted 25th overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2010 NFL draft. In 2011, Tebow’s fourth-quarter heroics led the Broncos to a wild-card playoff berth. Denver made it to the AFC divisional game before losing to Tom Brady’s New England Patriots. After that season, Tebow was traded to the New York Jets when the Broncos signed Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Tebow is now an ESPN college football analyst.

Kollar was one of the masterminds behind the 2015 “No-Fly Zone” defense that helped Denver win Super Bowl 50. In college at Montana State, Kollar had a stellar 1973 season, when he recorded 17 tackles, one sack, three fumble recoveries and three pass breakups. Kollar is the first former Bobcat to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.

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Florida will honor Tim Tebow during Florida State game

Tim Tebow will be honored during the rivalry showdown between theFlorida Gators and Florida State Seminoles.

The Florida football program welcomes back former Heisman Trophy winner [autotag]Tim Tebow[/autotag] on Saturday night, with plans to honor the former UF quarterback during the rivalry showdown with the Florida State Seminoles.

Florida head coach Billy Napier is elated to welcome back the Florida football legend.

“We’re having Tim Tebow back to recognize him for his College Football Hall of Fame,” Napier said. “Certainly one of the best Gators to have ever done it and awesome to have Tim back this weekend.”

Tebow was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier this year in January, and the final home game against Florida State is the best place to do it. The former quarterback holds a 4-0 record against the Noles and made lifetime memories during the matchups, including nine total touchdowns, 688 passing yards and 262 rushing yards.

Tebow is already a member of the Florida Ring Honor, earning his induction in 2018.

The Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles are slated to kickoff at 7 p.m. ET and the game will broadcast on ESPN.

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QB Graham Mertz breaks Tim Tebow’s record in loss to LSU

Graham Mertz made Florida history on Saturday, breaking Tim Tebow’s record of 203 pass attempts without an interception.

On Saturday, Florida quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] set the program record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception, passing [autotag]Tim Tebow[/autotag]’s mark of 203, according to Swamp247.

Mertz might not be a Heisman contender, but he’s worked his way back into being a pro prospect. He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks in college football, and he hasn’t thrown an interception since the Kentucky game.

Missouri’s Brady Cook currently holds the SEC record with 345 consecutive snaps. His streak came to an end against LSU earlier in the year. At his current pace of 33.7 attempts per game, Mertz would have to return for another year at UF to break that record.

Florida only has two more games left on the regular season schedule, and the loss to Arkansas put bowl eligibility in serious doubt. If the Gators can upset No. 11 Missouri or No. 4 Florida State, Mertz will get to play three more games. He’ll be breaking his own record until he throws another interception.

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SEC Nation is coming to Oxford for Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss

SEC Nation is coming to Oxford (MS) for Texas A&M’s pivotal road test vs. Ole Miss on Saturday, Nov. 5th.

Texas A&M’s (5-3, 3-2 SEC) Week 10 road test vs. the 11th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels (7-1, 4-1 SEC) is by far the Aggies’ most critical game remaining on the schedule, outside of the season finale road trip vs. LSU, of course.

While revenge is a dish best served cold, Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin is less strategic when it comes to facing Jimbo Fisher, who, after hiring former Ole Miss defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin to the same position two seasons ago may still harbor some anger, but after the display he put on after defeating the Aggies in Kyle Field last season, this Aggies squad, specifically the defense, is out for some revenge of their own.

Returning to the win column after downing the visiting South Carolina Gamecocks, Texas A&M is just one win away from bowl eligibility. Still, the main goal is to win the next 3 out of four or win out.

Due to the importance of the matchup, SEC Nation, including host Laura Rutledge, along with analysts Tim Tebow, Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, and Jordan Rodgers, will return to The Grove in Oxford (MS). At the same time, the show is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, as the Marty & McGee show will air a couple of hours beforehand before the 11:00 a.m. kickoff.

Ole Miss, of course, defeated Texas A&M 35-28 last season, spoiling then-freshman quarterback Conner Weigman’s four-touchdown performance, while Rebels star running back Quinshon Judkins ran for 205 yards in a memorable back-and-forth contest. With the new SEC format in 2024, this will be the final meeting between both programs until at least 2025.

Texas A&M will now travel to Oxford (MS) to face the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Nov. 5, where the game will again air on ESPN at 11:00 a.m. CT.

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Watch: Tim Tebow picks Georgia to beat Florida

Former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow picks Georgia football to beat Florida

Former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow hated to do it, but he picked the Georgia Bulldogs to beat the Florida Gators. Tebow, who played at Florida from 2006-2009, played in several very memorable editions of the Georgia-Florida rivalry.

Tebow, who is now a college football analyst, was heartbroken to pick the Georgia Bulldogs over Florida. Most experts are picking Georgia to beat Florida, but former Florida coach Dan Mullen has other ideas. Mullen likes for the Gators to pull off the upset.

Here’s a deeper look at Tim Tebow picking Georgia to beat Florida:

Tebow picking the Dawgs is music to the ears of Georgia football fans across the nation.

The 7-0 Georgia Bulldogs enter the Georgia-Florida game as 14.5 point favorites over the 5-2 Florida Gators, per BetMGM.

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Georgia is playing in its first game without star tight end Brock Bowers against Florida. Bowers went down with an ankle injury in Georgia’s Oct. 14 game against Vanderbilt and underwent TightRope surgery.

 

Tim Tebow explains the Florida-Georgia rivalry game legacy

SEC Nation co-host and Florida Gators ring of honor member Tim Tebow explained the importance of the Florida-Georgia game legacy.

Break out the coolers and mix the cocktails, it’s time for the Florida-Georgia game. The hype was building all week and fans are more than ready for kickoff.

Another member of the UF appreciation club is co-host of SEC Nation [autotag]Tim Tebow[/autotag], who’s played in four editions of the annual rivalry bout. Tebow explained to America what makes the game so special every season.

“Let me put this in perspective,” Tebow said. “In a few hours, both of these teams will drive over the Hart Bridge, and when you get to the top of the Hart Bridge, you’re gonna see over a million people that are surrounding this stadium behind me in downtown Jacksonville and it’s a surreal feeling.”

Tebow then goes on to exclaim how there’s a Hall of Fame for the annual rivalry showdown. Former Gators defensive back Joe Haden will be inducted into the Class of 2023 on Saturday.

“That’s what makes it different,” Tebow said.

The former Heisman Trophy recipient also enjoys how EverBank Stadium is split between UGA and Florida fans.

“It’s an awesome atmosphere and when you walk in the stadium,” Tebow said. “Let me tell you what else makes it unique and different? (The stadium) is split 50/50. On one side, it’s orange and blue. On the other side, it’s red and black. Guess what, at all times, people are cheering until you do your job until the very end, when the other side is empty. That’s what makes this game unique and different than most of the rest.”

The Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs will kickoff the 2023 edition of its rivalry at 3:30 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports.

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